[Song] The Ideal Land, Shangri-La/이상향 샹그릴라

Jeon Dae-gil CEO Column: The Ideal Land, Shangri-La
By Min-su Kim
Published on April 30, 2024, 12:25 PM
Jeon Dae-gil
CEO of Dongyang EMS Co., Ltd., Essayist
Director of the Korean branch of International PEN
In James Hilton's 1933 novel, Lost Horizon, the name of the ideal land for humanity is 'Shangri-La.'
'Shangri-La' is a Tibetan term meaning 'the sun and moon of the heart.' It represents an ideal land. Although it is known as a place that actually exists in the Himalayas, it is a fictional city from the novel.
After the publication of Lost Horizon, the Shangri-La described in ancient Indian scriptures, supposedly located deep within the Himalayas, became a worldwide bestseller.
Shangri-La is described as a mysterious region adjacent to Ladakh, near the Garhwal Himalayas on the slopes of Mount Kanchenjunga at an altitude of 4,500 meters.
The plot of this work involves a British consul named Conway and three others who were working in India in the early 1930s. Their plane is hijacked by a mysterious Tibetan and disappears while flying over the Himalayas.
The plane crash-lands in Shangri-La, a hidden, mysterious paradise nestled within the rugged mountains of Tibet. As the four individuals uncover the secrets of Shangri-La, they find themselves at a crossroads of choosing a new destiny.
This place is depicted as a paradise free from the chaotic turmoil and conflicts of the world, where aging and death are transcended. The village is surrounded by a fantastic mountain called 'Karakarama' or 'Mountain of the Blue Moon,' which stands 8,400 meters tall and is encircled by rugged mountain ranges.
It is an inexplicable land cut off from the outside world. Once one steps into this place, it is difficult to escape, and time flows slowly in this village known for its longevity.
In Shangri-La, it is said that even at the age of 100, one can maintain the health of a person in their 40s. It is portrayed as a peaceful village free from the worries and pains of everyday life. Shangri-La is an imaginary world of complete peace that humanity envisions.
However, it is believed to be a real ideal city, leading numerous Himalayan travelers to seek the path to the utopian Shangri-La.
Is there truly a way to this village said to exist in the valleys of the Himalayas? Recently, there are stories that China and Pakistan have artificially created Shangri-La to attract travelers yearning for an ideal land, thereby generating tourism revenue.
Lastly, while traveling around the world, one can find 'Shangri-La Hotels' with some difficulty. This is likely to spark travelers' desires for an ideal land.
Jeon Dae-gil
CEO of Dongyang EMS Co., Ltd., Essayist
Director of the Korean branch of International PEN