Located 22km east of Shangri-La, Potatso was the first national park in mainland China. In the Tibetan language, "Patatso" means reaching the opposite side of the lake by boat with the help of adeity. Bitahai Lake and Shuduhu Lake are two major areas of the park. Besides these two lakes, forests, marshlands, valleys, alpine meadows and so on can be seen in the park. All major spots are connected by a walkable plank which offers a closer distance for travelers to experience the natural environment. [Photo by Wang Meng/Chinadaily.com.cn]

Just the mere mention of Shangri-La conjures images of paradise shrouded in cloudy mist and beyond human reach. [Photo by Wang Meng/Chinadaily.com.cn]

Songzanlin is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province. Covering an area of 30 hectares, it looks like a mini Kumbum (Ta Er) Monastery. It is located on a mountain slope 5km from the county town of Shangri-La.[Photo by Wang Meng/Chinadaily.com.cn]

Visual impressions of Tibet

Old Stone Man Beach in China's Qingdao