Shangri-La
Mythical Himalayan sanctuary
Shangri-La is a fictional earthly paradise in the Himalayas, from James Hilton's 1933 novel *Lost Horizon*—an isolated valley where people live in peace and age slowly.
The name now refers to any remote, idyllic place untouched by the outside world: They found their own Shangri-La in the mountains.
Often used for resorts, retreats, and luxury hotels trading on the mystique.
Mythical sunken island
- AvalonMystical island of lore
- El DoradoFabled golden city
- CamelotLegendary British royal seat
- XanaduLegendary pleasure palace
Valhalla · Arcadia · Neverland · Brigadoon · Lemuria · Elysium · Utopia · hidden kingdom
Protected sacred space
- havenShelter from danger
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- hideawaySecluded place of refuge
- oasisFertile desert spot
hermitage · seclusion · isolation · sequestered · remote · inaccessible · sheltered · protected
Release from cyclical existence
- heavenSky or bliss
- blissPerfect, serene felicity
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
tranquility · halcyon · beatitude · felicity · euphoria · contentment · idyllic · bucolic
Asia's highest range
- monasteryReligious seclusion dwelling
- lamaseryBuddhist monks' residence
- BuddhistFollower of Gautama's teachings
- mountainsTall elevated landmasses
peaks · snow-capped · prayer flags · monks · lama · temple · mystical · ancient
Agreement or musical blend
- equalitySame status for all
- peaceFreedom from disturbance
- perfectionAbsence of any fault
- idealismBelief in noble principles
egalitarian · prosperity · justice · virtue · enlightened · cooperation · community · timeless
Atlantis
Mythical sunken island
Xanadu · Valhalla · Arcadia · Neverland · Brigadoon · Lemuria · Elysium · Utopia · hidden kingdom
sanctuary
Protected sacred space
oasis · hermitage · seclusion · isolation · sequestered · remote · inaccessible · sheltered · protected · undiscovered
nirvana
Release from cyclical existence
harmony · tranquility · halcyon · beatitude · felicity · euphoria · contentment · idyllic · bucolic · pastoral
Himalayas
Asia's highest range
- monasteryReligious seclusion dwelling
- lamaseryBuddhist monks' residence
- BuddhistFollower of Gautama's teachings
mountains · peaks · snow-capped · prayer flags · monks · lama · temple · mystical · ancient · wisdom
harmony
Agreement or musical blend
- equalitySame status for all
- peaceFreedom from disturbance
- perfectionAbsence of any fault
idealism · egalitarian · prosperity · justice · virtue · enlightened · cooperation · community · timeless · ageless
- phantom geographyphantom islands, Atlantis, Lemuria, Mu, terra incognita
- Exotic DestinationsBali, Fiji, Maldives, Tahiti, Bora Bora
- Fantasy EscapesNarnia, Oz, Hogwarts, Middle-earth, Neverland
- Heavenparadise, pearly gates, eternal life, kingdom of heaven, New Jerusalem
- Hotel BrandsMarriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton, Westin
- imaginary worldsdreamland, fairyland, wonderland, fantasy realm, dream world
Shangri-Lawar zone
Area of active conflict
hellscape · battlefield · slum · ghetto · rat race
Shangri-LaAnytown
Generic fictional municipality
Nowheresville · strip mall · flyover country · urban sprawl · Main Street