Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center

Orange, Texas, United States

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Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in Orange, Texas, is a 252-acre oasis created by philanthropist H.J. Lutcher Stark starting in 1942, inspired by the mystical retreat in the novel Lost Horizon.

It opened to the public in 1946 but was closed for nearly 50 years after a devastating freeze in the late 1950s destroyed much of the collection. The gardens feature a mix of deciduous forest, cypress-tupelo swamp, wetlands, and a large lake, with more than 300 plant species organized into formal garden "rooms" and sculpture areas. After extensive restoration efforts beginning in the early 2000s, the site reopened in 2008, though it has endured further damage from hurricanes and flooding.

Shangri La is notable for its environmental education programs, bird watching areas, and being the first project in Texas to earn LEED Platinum certification for green building. It combines botanical beauty with conservation, educational initiatives, and community enrichment, reflecting Stark’s legacy and vision.