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