I wrote this as a travel piece for a creative writing class. The end result turned out pretty good if I say so myself.
Last year Shangri-La made headlines for the violent demon uprising that took casualties from both the human and demon sides of the conflict. While now perfectly safe, this incident made tourists wary of traveling within Shangri-La, and has resulted in the drop not only of hotel and food costs, but also in airfare costs. There has never been a better time to travel to Shangri-La and experience its enchanting landscapes and mystical culture.
Getting Around
The best way to see the sites is to rent a jeep. A jeep will cost a little more than renting a dragon, but is well worth it for the traveler who wishes to really experience Shangri-La and not just see the tourist areas. There is nothing quite like driving through an empty canyon and experiencing a Shangri-La sunset resplendent in reds and purples.
If you favor a cheaper, more convenient ride, you can easily rent a dragon at the airport. If you are inexperienced in dragon riding, there are also dragon taxis and dragon tours if you are staying within the metropolitan hub of Shangri-La. Many hotels offer dragon riding classes and will refer you a local dragon rental agency. Whatever you choose, be sure to select a dragon with clear eyes and shiny scales. An unhealthy dragon may leave you stranded in an area with no cell phone reception.
Neat Eats
Shangri-La is well known for its meat buns and one pot soups. Be sure to stop at Lirin’s Bun Shoppe where you can find specialty buns. We recommend the Journey West Buns, a sampler plate that includes exotics such as the water-sprite bun garnished with cucumber, and the surprisingly delicious monkey meat bun. For the less adventuresome, Lirin’s also offers the Pig Platter, a steamy and delicious all-you-can eat platter of melt-in-your-mouth pork buns.
If you still have room left, hop down Merciful Goddess Street to the Shein B-B-Q. Shein offers barbeque at your table as well as some of the best sukiyaki and shabu shabu. These traditional one-pot soups are perfect for a romantic winter get away, or a family on a tight budget.
Places to See
Whether you are religious or not, a visit to Shangri-La is incomplete without stopping by the Chang-An Temple. One of the largest temples in the area, it is home to the Three Aspects, mystical beings that appear as giant heads. Only the most fortunate tourist will see the Three Aspects. They spend most of their time in Gaiden, and rarely come down to earth.
Another must see is the Toufugai Gardens. Toufugai Gardens is forty
acres of manicured gardens festooned with realistic marble demon statues. For thrill seekers, sign up for the mid-night Toufugai Terror Tour-a frightening romp through the gardens where some of the statues seem to come to life. Or perhaps they really do come alive at night . . .
The now renovated 100 Eye Demon Castle is well worth the two-mile hike in. Situated on the rolling hills of rural Shangri-La, the castle features a well-equipped dungeon as well as subterranean catacombs. If you plan on seeing the catacombs, be sure to bring a flashlight and extra water. The 100 Eye Demon Castle does not offer tours, but admission is free. We suggest bringing a picnic lunch and making a day trip that you won’t soon forget.
Places to Stay
If you are interested in meeting some of the more colorful characters in Shangri-La, we recommend spending a night at the Genjo Inn. The Genjo Inn is one of the few remaining hotels in the area that allows smoking, demons, and pets. Famous for its ill-tempered manager who is rumored to hit unruly guests with a large fan, the Genjo Inn is also easy on the pocket book. Local gossip, if it is to be believed, holds that this manager is a gun-slinger and a priest, and that he once saved the world from destruction.
For a resort experience, we recommend the Prince Kougaji, a four star resort with four swimming pools, herbal hot-springs, six restaurants, on-site dragon rental, gift shop and apothecary. A stay at the Prince Kougaji can be found as low as $150/night on sites such as Expedia, so shop online around if you plan to stay here.
No matter where you stay or what you do, there has been no better time to take a trip Shangri-La. For more information, please visit the website http://www.shangri-la.gov
