| 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. Lijiang is an |
| wonderful time with Chinese minority groups. Yunnan is | | | | old town resting in northwestern Yunnan. It is located |
| a beautiful province which is proud of its ethnic | | | | on a plateau which rises on an elevation of 8,530 feet |
| minorities and culture; this is reflected in the lifestyle of | | | | above sea level. Lijiang Old town is Yunnan's mecca |
| the locals who inhabit the community. Considered as | | | | for most Chinese tour groups and this is because of |
| one of the beautiful places to go in China, the province | | | | the magnificent landscape which it has. The Old town |
| of Yunnan is a place that celebrates life. It can be | | | | is a world heritage relic site as listed by UNESCO. It |
| divided into different cities namely Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, | | | | has a number of attractions for tourists to visit, many |
| Zhongdian and Deqin. Each of these cities has various | | | | of which includes The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: a |
| sightseeing and highlights which attracts tourists all year | | | | snow capped mountain which looks like a jade dragon |
| round. Kunming is known as the city of eternal spring | | | | lying in the clouds when seen from Lijiang, the tiger |
| which is usually the best city to travel to in China in | | | | leaping gorge believed to be the deepest gorge in the |
| spring. This is because of its mild climate which has in | | | | world which attracts rafters and adventure tourists. |
| turn boosted the tourism and natural beauty of the city. | | | | Other interesting things to do in Lijiang are the use of |
| With over four hundred types of flowers and orchids | | | | cable cars to the top of Cangshan Mountain to |
| in the various gardens, it is no wonder horticulturists | | | | witness a panoramic view overlooking Erhai Lake and |
| and nature lovers' flock to this part of China to spend | | | | the traditional musical concerts. Zhongdian and Deqin |
| some time. Kunming is also known to be the center of | | | | should be the final destination on your Yunnan province |
| the Yunnan minority culture where over 25 different | | | | tour. It is one of the three counties that form the Diqen |
| ethnic groups live together. The major ethnic minorities | | | | Tibetan Autonomous Territory. With some of its |
| have their various cultures, languages, and customs | | | | history based on the concept of Shambhala, a mystical |
| and celebrate different festivals. Major highlights to see | | | | city in Tibetan Buddhism; it was formerly called |
| in Kunming include the stone forest, a long acre of | | | | Zhongdian County and was later renamed to |
| karsts limestone formations which were formed into | | | | Shangri-la after the fictional land in the book 'Lost |
| cliffs, peaks, caves and arches; the birds and flowers | | | | Horizon' in 2001. Shangri-la is considered to be a |
| market where different species of birds and flowers | | | | mythical distant paradise on earth characterized with |
| are sold; Dian Chi Lake, the Yunnan nationalities | | | | great beauty and peacefulness; this is why many |
| museum and the World Horticultural Expo garden. Dali | | | | travelers come to this place to spend some peaceful |
| is another city in Yunnan well known for preserved | | | | time. This town has also been used by hikers and |
| relics for historical interests. The beautiful sceneries, | | | | mountaineers as a gateway to Tibet. Some of the |
| different traditions, the locals and the unique | | | | 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. |