"Stone of heaven," a term used by the Chinese to describe what they view as the most precious of gems--jade. To understand the importance of jade to the Chinese is to gain insight into their culture and history.
The name "Shangri-La" became popular after World War II and was used to christen many songs, hotels and restaurants because it represents a "heaven away from the turmoil of the mundane world." Actually, "Shangri-La" is a Tibetan word meaning "land of sacredness and peace."
