InhissearchforthemythicalShangri-La,LaurenceJ.BrahmembarksontheancientTeaCaravanTrailinYunnan,China.HisjourneytakeshimacrossKunming,Dali,Lijiang,Lugu,Zhong-dian,andKawagebo,Inthesecitiesthathavebeendevelopedintopopulartouristspots,helearnsaboutthewaningculturesoftheethnicminoritiessuchastheBai,theDai,theYi,theNaxiandtheMosu.Hemeetsvariousindividuals,includingthefamousChinesedancerYangLiping,whofightbardagainsttheonslaughtofmoderndevelopmenttopreservetheirethnicculturesandidentities.Theysharewithhimstoriesaboutthe,mistymoun-tainsthatstandmajesticallyinthisland"SouthoftheClouds"andhowtheyaresacredtoalltheethnicminoritygroupsthatliveintheregions.FollowLaurencesjourneyandfindouthowonlywhenoneengagesinaconver-sationwithamountainwillonetrulydiscoverwhyitissacred.