Photo essay

Shangri-La

Clouds in Tiger Leaping Gorge and summer meadows on the high plateau.

Northwestern Yunnan, China

A blue alpine lake below green mountains and bright summer clouds near Shangri-La

The route moves from the steep walls of Tiger Leaping Gorge to the open meadows and lakes around Shangri-La, where summer rain gives way to clear high-altitude light.

The Jinsha River winding between steep green walls beneath low cloud in Tiger Leaping Gorge — The Jinsha River in Tiger Leaping Gorge.

A jagged mountain face emerging through clouds above Tiger Leaping Gorge — Clouds gathering in Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Sunlight crossing the steep gray-green mountain walls above Tiger Leaping Gorge — Light across the gorge.

A broad waterfall descending over dark rock beside the Tiger Leaping Gorge trail — A waterfall along the trail.

Clouds moving through forested mountain slopes above green fields — The mountains after rain.

A black and white yak standing among purple iris flowers in a highland meadow — A yak among the summer irises.

An alpine lake surrounded by conifer forest, meadow, and steep green ridges near Shangri-La — Lake and meadow near Shangri-La.

A path of cut wooden rounds crossing an alpine meadow toward a jagged ridge — Across the meadow.

A yak grazing among wildflowers beside a blue alpine lake and green mountains — Grazing beside the lake.

Purple and pink iris flowers blooming beside an alpine lake under a blue sky — Summer flowers at the water's edge.

A cow standing beside a resting calf in a meadow filled with highland wildflowers — A quiet afternoon in the meadow.