Gandan Sumtseling Monastery near Shangra-La, China

Since its re-branding as Shangri-La, the town of Zhongdian in Yunnan Province of China has undergone a building boom, overwhelming the original Chinese town with modern hotels, temples and monasteries. Tourism has followed, buoyed by Diquing Airport's connections to the major cities in south-west China.

Founded in 1697, Gandan Sumtseling Monastery was re-built following the Cultural Revolution, more recently using the proceeds from tourism to sustain its development.