The Last Shelter: Joseph Rock and the Search for Shangri-La

In 1922, American explorer Joseph Rock traveled to Lijiang to find a tree to cure leprosy but stayed for decades after becoming captivated by the Naxi culture and the stunning scenery of the Yulong Snowy Mountain. Driven by local legends of a "third Kingdom," he spent seven years searching for a hidden river valley in Yading protected by three sacred snowy mountains that served as a prehistoric shelter for ancient species and a spiritual sanctuary for lovers. Although Rock was ultimately barred from entering this "pure land" due to local warfare and traps, his published accounts inspired the legend of Shangri-La and established world-renowned trekking routes that celebrate the region's natural beauty.