Breathe in the fresh air as you stroll on a wooden boardwalk that winds between towering cypress trees. Step inside a historic greenhouse and marvel at the colors of blooming orchids. Explore breathtaking gardens inspired by the fundamental elements of art. These are the experiences you’ll have at the Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center. Nestled on 252 scenic acres in the heart of Orange, Texas, Shangri La is a first-rate botanical facility with numerous gardens and greenhouses, a stunning reflection pond lined with azaleas, and a variety of exhibits to see and interact with. If you love nature or are looking for a great place to take a date or the kids in Orange, find your way to the Shangri La Botanical Garden & Nature Center.
The nature center was founded in 1946 by H.J. Lutcher Stark, a prominent philanthropist and Orange native who was inspired by the magical retreat in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by James Hilton. Stark personally oversaw the development of his paradise, starting with the initial construction in 1937. For the next 12 years, thousands of visitors would flock to the gardens in the spring to see the blooming azaleas and marvel at the wealth of flora and fauna.
Sadly, Stark was forced to close Shangri La in 1958 after a major snowstorm destroyed many of the garden’s plants. Shangri La reopened in March 2008 with modern facilities and hundreds of plant species, the culmination of years of work by the Stark Foundation. Today’s version carries on the Stark’s mission of creating a space of unbelievable beauty while promoting the idea that people can live in harmony with nature.
