There's Always A Good Reason To Visit One Of Hawaii's Most Famous Homes And Art Museums, Shangri La
By Megan Shute|Published February 10, 2020
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
There is no doubt about it: Hawaii is an absolute paradise — especially for creative spirits. With gorgeous scenery, a ton of culture, and a laid-back lifestyle, Hawaii is the perfect place for creative individuals to find inspiration. And nowhere will you find more creative inspiration that one of Hawaii’s most famous homes turned art museums, Shangri La. If you’re a fan of Islamic artwork, stunning views, or historic homes, you’ll want to visit this one-of-a-kind destination as soon as possible.
Nestled along the southeastern coast of Oahu on the slopes of the famous Diamond Head, Shangri La is the estate turned museum of American billionaire heiress and philanthropist Doris Duke. While the heiress owned many homes, Shangri La is the only one she built from the ground up and filled with priceless treasures
The opulent home was built in 1937 and houses a one-of-a-kind collection of Islamic artwork purchased from Iran, Egypt, Turkey, India, and several other countries during Duke’s travels and work as a foreign correspondent.
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean and overseen by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, this magnificent estate reflects the eclectic interests of its former owner and as soon as you step through the front door and into the foyer, you’re sure to be amazed.
The five-acre complex is home to a 14,000-square foot home, pool, a playhouse that is a reduced-scale version of the Chehel Sotoun, a 17th-century Iranian pavilion, comprising various interlocking spaces inside and out.
From the intricate courtyard and stunning bathrooms to the master bedroom and the stunning gardens, every inch of this estate is sure to take your breath away — and after renovations were completed late last year, now is the best time to visit this treasured museum.
The renovation was designed to put on the artwork itself rather than the story of Doris Duke, and the new galleries are simply stunning. You’ll find more than 2,500 breathtaking objects — including artwork, furniture, and architectural elements — on display, each of which will capture your attention.
The home was opened to the public in 2002 as the Shangri La Center for Islamic Arts and Cultures and you absolutely have to book a guided tour for yourself — whether or not you’ve been before.
Each tour lasts approximately two and a half hours, including transportation to and from the Honolulu Museum of Art’s main campus, and feature the public rooms of the main house and portions of the grounds, including the entry and central courtyards, foyer, Damascus room, Syrian room, Mughal Garden, Mihrab Room, and the upper lawn with views of the playhouse, pool and water terraces.
So, what are you waiting for? This mecca of Islamic Art is one of Oahu's grandest treasures and you'll certainly want to experience the beauty for yourself.
Shangri La is open for guided tours Wednesday through Saturday at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. All tours are two and half hours long, must be booked in advance, and leave from the Honolulu Museum of Art. For more information, or to buy your tickets, visit the museum’s website. You can also follow Shangri La on Facebook.
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