SHANGRI-LA, China—Many visitors seeking to experience Tibetan culture in China are heading to Shangri-La, a burgeoning tourist destination in Yunnan province, rather than Tibet itself. This town has positioned itself as a replica of Tibetan life, but with significant modifications that strip away much of its religious significance and any influence from the Dalai Lama.
Shangri-La’s narrow alleys are filled with Han Chinese tourists, many of whom don faux Tibetan attire to create social media-friendly photographs against the backdrop of the town’s former monasteries. These sites, while visually representative of Tibetan culture, have been altered to cater to the tastes and expectations of the ethnic Han majority.
At the hilltop temple, visitors can turn a massive 69-foot golden prayer wheel, noted for once being the largest in the world. Additionally, a significant 350-foot Buddhist stupa was introduced by local officials five years ago, which they have designated as a “nonreligious site.” This alteration emphasizes the effort to present an image of Tibetan culture that aligns more closely with the political and social narratives of the Chinese government.
The developments in Shangri-La reflect broader trends in how Tibetan culture is represented within China, as the region itself struggles with issues surrounding autonomy, identity, and the preservation of its cultural heritage amidst state oversight.
