Wander throughout the Tar Heel State and you’ll discover a variety of roadside attractions (see 15 of them here), but most of them pale in comparison to a gnome-sized village made of rocks in the tiny community of Prospect Hill. It was begun in 1968 and built over a period of nine years by a retired tobacco farmer. Welcome to Henry Warren’s rock garden and work of art: Shangri-La.
Warren designed the village of Shangri-La and used quartz reportedly cut from his own property. He also used bricks (seen in red) and plenty of cement.
And although we've loosely used the word 'grotto' here — which technically means an artificial cave — a visit here will draw you in, as will the intrigue of a cave, to explore the intricate details of each structure.
Advertisement
Shangri-La comes complete with its own water tower.
From bricks used as accents and filled with cement for strength to red beams used both for support and design, the buildings are extraordinary in every way and have, so far, withstood the test of time.
He even added some furnishings and other real-life accents.
A few to look for are: tiny end irons in the fireplace with wood stacked and ready for cold weather, a woman pouring water from a stone pitcher, and a few pets scattered throughout the village. These, and many more, bring life to the gorgeous stone structures.
The tiny village is located right on the edge of the property for all to see.
Sadly, Henry Warren passed away in 1977. And although he's no longer around to give tours, his famous rock garden is still open. Visitors are welcome during daylight hours.
Ever hear of (or see!) this rock garden in North Carolina? We'd love to see your photos in our comments!
Want to visit? Shangri-La is located roadside on private property and welcomes visitors during daylight hours. (Just be respectful that you’re technically in someone’s front yard.) Here’s a Google map to guide your trip to this unique rock garden in North Carolina.
Address: Henry Warren Road, Prospect Hill, NC, 27314
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
