This book investigates the complex intersection of tourism development, ethnic identity, and socioeconomic change within the Tibetan region of Shangrila in Southwest China. Author Åshild Kolås, a researcher specializing in Tibetan studies and social change, utilizes ethnographic fieldwork and political economy frameworks to analyze how local culture is commodified for external consumption. The text argues that the branding of Shangrila as a tourist destination fundamentally alters local spatial perceptions and political dynamics, creating a tension between authentic cultural expression and the requirements of a market-driven economy.

Scholars in the field of tourism studies and Asian anthropology frequently cite this work for its nuanced approach to the commodification of sacred spaces. The text is recognized as a foundational case study for understanding the socio-political impacts of state-led tourism development on minority ethnic groups.