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