Arunachal Pradesh has been put on the international tourism map after being adjudged as the second runners-up of BBC’s travel magazine awards this year.

The state, known as the ‘Last Shangri La on Earth’, was chosen as the second runners-up of Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Award under ‘Emerging Destinations in India’ category, official sources said yesterday.

Gujarat emerged as the winner, while Jammu and Kashmir was awarded first runners-up.

An expert panel shortlisted an exhaustive 42 categories which was put to vote to worldwide readers of the famed magazine.

Arunachal’s unique culture, cuisines, art and handicrafts had turned the cynosure of all eyes, particularly among 100 international delegates from three SAARC and 10 ASEAN countries at India’s first three-day International Tourism Mart held at Guwahati in January this year.