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