| If you are on a tour to China and decide to | | | | Three Pagodas, the Butterfly Fountain and |
| stop at Yunnan province, then you are | | | | Dali Museum to enrich your knowledge about |
| guaranteed a wonderful time with Chinese | | | | the history and culture of Yunnan. |
| minority groups. Yunnan is a beautiful | | | | |
| province which is proud of its ethnic | | | | Lijiang is an old town resting in |
| minorities and culture; this is reflected in | | | | northwestern Yunnan. It is located on a |
| the lifestyle of the locals who inhabit the | | | | plateau which rises on an elevation of 8,530 |
| community. Considered as one of the beautiful | | | | feet above sea level. Lijiang Old town is |
| places to go in China, the province of Yunnan | | | | Yunnans mecca for most Chinese tour groups |
| is a place that celebrates life. It can be | | | | and this is because of the magnificent |
| divided into different cities namely Kunming, | | | | landscape which it has. The Old town is a |
| Dali, Lijiang, Zhongdian and Deqin. Each of | | | | world heritage relic site as listed by |
| these cities has various sightseeing and | | | | UNESCO. It has a number of attractions for |
| highlights which attracts tourists all year | | | | tourists to visit, many of which includes The |
| round. | | | | Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: a snow capped |
| | | | mountain which looks like a jade dragon lying |
| Kunming is known as the city of eternal | | | | in the clouds when seen from Lijiang, the |
| spring which is usually the best city to | | | | tiger leaping gorge believed to be the |
| travel to in China in spring. This is because | | | | deepest gorge in the world which attracts |
| of its mild climate which has in turn boosted | | | | rafters and adventure tourists. Other |
| the tourism and natural beauty of the city. | | | | interesting things to do in Lijiang are the |
| With over four hundred types of flowers and | | | | use of cable cars to the top of Cangshan |
| orchids in the various gardens, it is no | | | | Mountain to witness a panoramic view |
| wonder horticulturists and nature lovers | | | | overlooking Erhai Lake and the traditional |
| flock to this part of China to spend some | | | | musical concerts. |
| time. Kunming is also known to be the center | | | | |
| of the Yunnan minority culture where over 25 | | | | Zhongdian and Deqin should be the final |
| different ethnic groups live together. The | | | | destination on your Yunnan province tour. It |
| major ethnic minorities have their various | | | | is one of the three counties that form the |
| cultures, languages, and customs and | | | | Diqen Tibetan Autonomous Territory. With some |
| celebrate different festivals. Major | | | | of its history based on the concept of |
| highlights to see in Kunming include the | | | | Shambhala, a mystical city in Tibetan |
| stone forest, a long acre of karsts limestone | | | | Buddhism; it was formerly called Zhongdian |
| formations which were formed into cliffs, | | | | County and was later renamed to Shangri-la |
| peaks, caves and arches; the birds and | | | | after the fictional land in the book Lost |
| flowers market where different species of | | | | Horizon in 2001. Shangri-la is considered to |
| birds and flowers are sold; Dian Chi Lake, | | | | be a mythical distant paradise on earth |
| the Yunnan nationalities museum and the World | | | | characterized with great beauty and |
| Horticultural Expo garden. | | | | peacefulness; this is why many travelers come |
| | | | to this place to spend some peaceful time. |
| Dali is another city in Yunnan well known for | | | | This town has also been used by hikers and |
| preserved relics for historical interests. | | | | mountaineers as a gateway to Tibet. Some of |
| The beautiful sceneries, different | | | | the major highlights in this town include the |
| traditions, the locals and the unique | | | | Emerald Pagoda Lake (Bita hai Lake), the |
| environment are what makes Dali a stop over | | | | Meili Snow mountain (God Mountain) and the |
| for tourists on their Yunnan province tour. | | | | Ganden Sumtseling Gompa monastery. This |
| For example the Old town of Dali is a place | | | | monastery is a 300 year old complex which has |
| that was set up in the Ming Dynasty where you | | | | around 600 monks. The small town is centered |
| will find well preserved traditional styled | | | | with multi story temples filled with statues |
| houses of the Bai people. These houses were | | | | and colorful paintings of Tibetan lamas, |
| built with unique designs featuring grey | | | | guardians and mandalas. The landscape of |
| tilted roofs, stone walls, windows and doors | | | | Zhongdian is not enough to describe in words, |
| carved in dragon patterns. The streams fed by | | | | it gives a kind of feeling which is difficult |
| the run offs from the Cangshan Mountains and | | | | to describe; this is why most people |
| the idyllic courtyards and peaceful streets | | | | recommend a visit to Zhongdian and its sacred |
| which were well known in the ancient times | | | | temples. |
| have now become a place of interest for | | | | |
| visitors. Major highlights in Dali include | | | | For comments and inquiries about this |
| the Erhai Lake, an ear like shaped Lake, the | | | | article, visit Great Wall of China tours. |