Shangri-La Found by Mountaineer

Secrets of Shangri-La lectures (Benaroya Hall, Seattle)

(Seattle Times) Did Shangri-La — the mythical, Himalayan city first mentioned by a 5th century Chinese poet as a utopia for Buddhists — actually exist? Peter Athans, a much-respected, Bainbridge Island-based moun-taineer who has reached the summit of Mt. Everest seven times, may know the answer. In 2007, Athans explored the hidden, ancient kingdom of Mustang, in Nepal. His "National Geographic Live!" presentation, "Secrets of Shangri-La," takes place at Benaroya Hall [on April 13-14, 2009]. Q&A and more>>

"I'll be speaking about three expeditions I led over the last two years into Nepal's remote and exotic Kingdom of Mustang. Mustang was for many years closed to foreigners, earning it the moniker 'the highest and most forbidden kingdom in the world.' The current monarch is the 25th in a lineage that has existed for more than 600 years. It is one of the remaining few Himalayan Buddhist kingdoms."

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• TV historian Michael Wood argues that legendary "Shangri-La" is the abandoned city of Tsaparang, which was once home to the Kings of Guge in modern Tibet.