www.chinaview.cn 2009-03-12 20:59:42

CHENGDU, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Shangri-La, capital of the Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Diqing in southwest China's Yunnan Province, has long been called "sun and moon in heart" for its snow-capped mountains, luminous lakes, broad pastures and diverse flora and fauna.

In recent years, an increasing number of foreigners have been attracted to Shangri-La and other Tibetan areas in southwest China.

"What I saw here is quite different from what the Western media reported," said Mark Hiew, an Australian freelance writer, who visited a number of monasteries in Tibetan regions in 2007.

Hiew visited Labrang Monastery in Gansu, Langmu Monastery in Sichuan and Taer Monastery in Qinghai.

"I watched monks chanting and local people coming to pray. They wore traditional clothes, prayed and visited temples seemingly of their own free will. Although I do not understand their language, I was moved by the atmosphere," he said.

Firs are seen in the Potatso National Park in Shangri-La, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 13, 2008. Located at the center of the "Three Parallel Rivers" world natural heritage site, the Potatso National Park consists of the Shudu Lake, Niru area and Bitahai Nature Reserve, with a total area of 1,313 square kilometers. (Xinhua Photo)

Tourists visit a monastery of Tibetan Buddhism in the Potatso National Park in Shangri-La, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 13, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)