Shangrila

Shangri-La County or Xianggelila County (Chinese: 香格里拉县) is a primarily Tibetan county in northwestern Yunnan Province in southwest China. Its name was changed from Zhongdian County (Chinese: 中甸县) by the government several years ago. The local Tibetan population refers to it by the name Gyalthang. "Shangri-La" or "Zhongdian" may also refer to Jiantang Town (建塘镇), the capital of the county.

Many travelers use the county town as a gateway into Tibet, either travelling many days overland by Jeep to Lhasa, or by flying from the city's airport. However, the town itself is a tourist destination, primarily due to the nearby Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (Chinese: �赞林寺).