Shangri-la - or Gyaitang Zong in Tibetan, and Zhongdian in Chinese - is an ancient Tibetan tourist town that was selected to be renamed Shangri-La in 2001 to draw in tourists, in reference to the mythical Himalayan land described in James Hilton's 1933 novel.
The region relies heavily on the tourism the town attracts, with its Dukezong quarter dating back more than 1,000 years. It is known for its cobbled streets, ancient buildings, and Tibetan culture.
In January 2014, this historic town was partly destroyed by a fire, which started in a guesthouse. The flames raged for around 10 hours, destroying 242 structures, and fire engines were unable to get down the town's narrow streets. Around 2,600 people were left homeless.
After the fire shows a little of the aftermath of that blaze, people sifting through rubble, horizons changed dramatically, and tourists visiting undeterred.
