The Hidden Village in North Carolina That Almost No One Knows About
Shangri-La in North Carolina is a unique, hand-built stone village created by Henry Warren that visitors can explore.
If you know where to look, you can find a variety of hidden treasures in the Tar Heel State. Not many people, except for the locals, know about a Utopian village in North Carolina that sprang up beginning in 1968 outside of Raleigh. It's called Shangri-La, and it's much like the fictional Shangri-La written about in 1933 by author James Hilton - only it is better, because it has come to life - and you can visit!
Shangri-La is a village in Prospect Hill, but it's not like any other village you've ever visited.
It's a storybook town with buildings that are around five feet tall and made of stone from a local North Carolina quarry.
The village is the sole creation of one man, Henry Warren, who began building Shangri-La in 1968 at the age of 72.
The retired tobacco farmer hand-picked the rocks and single-handedly built every single aspect of this lovable little stone village. In 1972, he placed this plaque in his village. It reads, "Shangri-La. Let me live in the house by the side of the road and be a friend to man."
Warren's roadside village welcomes visitors from all over who hear about it from the locals or find it on the Internet and show up out of curiosity.
In all, this utopian village in North Carolina encompasses 27 buildings including a school, a church, a theater, a hospital, and a mill.
The small town of Shangri-La is a living testament to what Warren probably spent his life envisioning.
Over five decades later, his dream is still standing for the world to enjoy. When it comes to small towns in North Carolina, this one is certainly the most unique!
Have you discovered Shangri-La yet? Are there other small towns in NC you’d recommend? We'd love to know and see your photos!
Shangri-La is located on Henry Warren Road in Prospect Hill, North Carolina. The village is always open, however, it's located on private property, so please respect the owners by visiting during normal hours. We've created an easy Google map to lead you to it.
If you're interested in staying a night or two in nearby Durham, be sure to consider the AC Hotel Durham.
If you’re still in the mood for more Tar Heel State adventures, take a look at this video:
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