Scenery of Shangri-la in China’s Yunnan

This photo taken on March 8, 2023 shows a view of the ancient town of Dukezong in Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This drone photo taken on March 10, 2024 shows a view of Baishuitai in Sanba Township, Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Tourists visit Shika Snow Mountain in Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, on Feb. 24, 2025. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

This photo taken on March 8, 2023 shows a view of the ancient town of Dukezong in Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 6, 2025 shows the landscape of the Potatso scenic area in Shangri-La, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China’s Yunnan Province. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Tourists pose for photos with lambs in the ancient town of Dukezong in Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, March 8, 2023. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Villagers grow vegetable in Jiantang Township of Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, March 9, 2024. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Tourists visit the Potatso scenic area in Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, March 9, 2023. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Tourists try to creat Thangkas at an intangible cultural heritage experience center in Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, March 6, 2025. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

An intangible cultural heritage inheritor makes traditional incense in Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, March 6, 2025. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Tourists visit Shika Snow Mountain in Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, on Feb. 24, 2025. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

People dance in the ancient town of Dukezong in Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Sept. 27, 2024. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

Tourists visit the ancient town of Dukezong in Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, March 7, 2025. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

A tourist writes a postcard in the ancient town of Dukezong in Shangri-la, the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, March 7, 2025. Located in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Shangri-La City sits at the intersection of Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Xizang Autonomous Region. As a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, this highland city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, is often regarded as a hidden paradise. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Reference Link:- https://english.news.cn/20250506/9009e607461c4472bfa715a65e888ca3/c.html

Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan Founder & Chair, Global Silk Route Research Alliance

Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…

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