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Yunnan Province Attractions

Lijiang Old Town

World Cultural Heritage--------Lijiang Old Town
World Memorial Heriage-------Dongba Ancient Literature
World Natural Heritage--------- Three Rivers Flow Parallel Scenic Spot
The Favorite Chinese tourist city to European
One of the 10 most fascinating cities...

World Cultural Heritage--------Lijiang Old Town
World Memorial Heriage-------Dongba Ancient Literature
World Natural Heritage--------- Three Rivers Flow Parallel Scenic Spot
The Favorite Chinese tourist city to European
One of the 10 most fascinating cities in China


One of the 1000 small cities where is the most Worthy Place to travel on earth
Excellent city of Global Environmental Award for Human living
Lijiang old town was found in the end of the Song and begin the Yuan dynasty. Today,it is about 800 years's history. It is also an important town for commerce in ancient Tea and Horse Caravan Trail's period. It has been listed in the Famous Historical City of China in Dec. 8th 1986 and also been listed in World Heritage Lists by UNESCO in Dec.4th 1997.
Old town situated below the Jade Dragon Mountain, the snow-capped mountain was reflected in the interlaced rivers that flow under the old town, with its own tradtional building styles, turns out to be a  unique view.
Lijiang old town is the only town that takes the Naxi culture as main part and also a political, commerical and cultural center of Naxi people; the folk-custom and Dongba cultures are being well kept. All of the custom, cultures and Naxi music have already created a harmonious living environment for human.

Situated in the northwestern part of Yunnan Province adn the upper reaches of the Jinshajiang(Golden Sand ) River, Lijiang is a region were the Naxi people live in compact communities with an area of 7400 square kilometres. The total population is 1.3 million, consisting of the Naix, Han, Bai, Tibetan, Pumi, Lisu, Yi and other nationalities. The Naxi people constitute 58% of the total population. The county seat (Dayanzhen), concurrently centre of the county and prefecture.
Toporgraphically, Lijiang is close to the southeastern part of the Qinghai Tibeta Plateau and right on the transitional section of the Hangduan(transversely faulted) Mountains which strech to the Central Yunnan Plateau. There are two huge mountain ranges in the county, namely the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Laojun Mountain Ranges. All the rivers belong eithor to the Golden Sand River system or the Mekong River system . The summit of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Mount Fan soars to an evelation of 5596 meters, the highest point of the city. The outlet of the Golden Sand River is 1219 metets above sea level, the lowest point of the county.

 

Na Xi Snacks Street

many kinds of naxi people's snacks here ,you can enjoy it .

Black Dragon Pond Park

photo by Lance W.

Take a cab when you got the Old Town, it will only 5 Yuan, or if you at the Square Street(四方街), you can just walk about 15 minutes and you will be there.

Meili Snow Mountain

Meili Snow Mountain 6740M above sea level. Locate at north west of Yunnan province. Tibetan respect it as holy mountain. There are hidden villages living in very simple and basic life style. Sunrise ay Meili Snow Mountain is spectacular.&nbsp...

Meili Snow Mountain 6740M above sea level. Locate at north west of Yunnan province. Tibetan respect it as holy mountain. There are hidden villages living in very simple and basic life style. Sunrise ay Meili Snow Mountain is spectacular.  

Yunnan Nationalities Villages

Yunnan Nationalities Villages,covering an area of 89 hectares beside the Dianchi Lake,is located in the southwest suburb of Kunming city,Yunnan Province.As a window displaying the various cultures and customs of 25 minorities in Yunnan,it has been honored "ClassAAAA(the h...
Yunnan Nationalities Villages,covering an area of 89 hectares beside the Dianchi Lake,is located in the southwest suburb of Kunming city,Yunnan Province.As a window displaying the various cultures and customs of 25 minorities in Yunnan,it has been honored "ClassAAAA(the highest rank)Scenic Spot"of China.It is not only a base of manority culture of National Ethnic Affairs Committee,but also a base of the folk traditional culture of CIOFF(International Committee of Folklore Festivals organizers)China Committee. In Yunnan Nationalities Villages,you may have a look at traditional ethnic-featured buildings and colorful customs of different minorities.You can also enjoy interesting wedding ceremonies,experience colorful minority festivals and join in a group dance.Generally speaking,it is really a wonderful place for tourists to relax themselves and get an in-depth view of the 25 minorities of Yunnan within only one day. bus No.44/73 and stop at the station of "Yunnan Nationalities Villages ".

Dali - CangShan National Geopark

Dali Cang Shan is one of the four symbolic of Dali. It runs north to south on the west side of Er Lake. The highest point is over 4000M which covers with snow in winter. You can take cable car to mid-level 2700M.  There is a beautif...

Dali Cang Shan is one of the four symbolic of Dali. It runs north to south on the west side of Er Lake. The highest point is over 4000M which covers with snow in winter. You can take cable car to mid-level 2700M.  There is a beautiful 15 KM long walking trail. It is easy walking which takes about 3 hours. You can see pine wood trees, wild flowers, water stream, panorama view of the city.  

Dali old town

Travel in Chengjiang

Fuxian Lake, the cherry Valley project is located in Yuxi Fuxian Lake, Lake Road 7. Will be built in the area lofty health of world-class leisure and sports destination; build the global health regimen destination; most distinctive travel consumer destination style commercial street here; very Ch...

Fuxian Lake, the cherry Valley project is located in Yuxi Fuxian Lake, Lake Road 7. Will be built in the area lofty health of world-class leisure and sports destination; build the global health regimen destination; most distinctive travel consumer destination style commercial street here; very Chengdu. Platinum five-star front-line Lakeview Hotel and experience the unique landscape of the unprecedented. World-class international forums Center, to build a global high-end event with international influence. Fuxian Lake River cherry valley, creating 5A class cultural tourism experience theme park. 40000 cherry, including Dian cherry, winter cherry, weeping cherry

 

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Yunnan Province Articles

Naxi falconry culture

In China, the eagle hunting culture can be dated  back to almost four thousand years ago....

In China, the eagle hunting culture can be dated  back to almost four thousand years ago. Unfortunately, in quite long period in history, the culture has always been popular in the palace only among aristocrats, this situation lasted until the end of the 19th century.   Now,   its hard to see this precious human cultural heritage in the vast land of China .

when we see the situation of falconry in Individual regions ,the eagle hunting culture has lost  its integrity.   In the naxi region, however, formed a kind of folk custom, and relatively intact so far. the history  of Naxi  Falconry can be traced back to  1253 AD When Kublai Khan and his Mongolian army conquered Lijiang. 

Why this kind of cultural phenomenon is enduring in the lijiang naxi areas?

There are 3 reason,

Firstly,  Because Lijiang has unique natural geographical conditions. since the ancient times, there is a passage of birds migratory over Lijiang,   every autumn,  various birds of prey successively flying over lijiang from north to south,  this is the prerequisite of  eagle hunting culture for the lijiang . 

Secondly,  Naxi people accepted Chinese culture in Ming dyanaty i(about 1368 AD),  so the traditional Chinese Confucian philosophy and moral ethics influenced them alot, Naxi ladies  are working very hard while their husband are focusing on literature and study,  they think a man should make achievement on literature  rather than doing bussiness.  man's life concept namely advocate nature, pursuit of quality of life is plain and simple. They are good at leisure, as long as they have free time,they engaged in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, flower ,species of bamboo, fishing and hunting activities .

Thirdly, Naxi people are open to  foreign cultures ,In a long period of time in the history ,  there are less wars and natural disasters in lijiang, once in the different cultures were introduced it will not easy to loss.

Butter production by Tibetan farmer

Yak butter is still produced today by Tibetan farmers by hand using a traditional method....

Yak butter is still produced today by Tibetan farmers by hand using a traditional method. The first step is to collect milk from yaks.  The milk is then poured into a tall wooden cylinder, followed by a continuous up-down plunging motion and churning of the milk by the farmer using a round wooden paddle, easily up to a few thousand times over an hour.  When the resulting solidified butter begins to stick to the wall of the container, the farmer will collect the butter and cool it down using water, before squeezing the solid butter to remove any remnant liquid that may be still trapped inside the butter.  The final step is to shape the butter by hand into the individual round cakes normally seen in the market, each piece weighing around one kilogram.
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Shaxi the faded caravan culture history

Shaxi is the gateway to Tibet ,the last town between Dali and Tibet also is one of the key point  alone the old Tibetan  road down  to  connect  south Asia  ,its  located in the south part  of of its head town Jianchuan ,mountains in Shaxi is also the...

Shaxi is the gateway to Tibet ,the last town between Dali and Tibet also is one of the key point  alone the old Tibetan  road down  to  connect  south Asia  ,its  located in the south part  of of its head town Jianchuan ,mountains in Shaxi is also the extension parts  of Himalaya mountain ranges.the average  altitude is 2000m ,the valley is surrounded on four sides by green mountains ,Black muddy river flow though the rich, flat, farming  lands like a silver long scarf .there are 5 ethnic groups live here the Bai ,Naxi,Lisu,Han and Yi ,there are 65 villages with only  about 20000 inhabitants.

Before 1952 no roads are built from this part to Tibet ,the only transportation means for goods and trading  was horse caravan on earthly trails  .therefore Shaxi  is also view as the only surviving market town on the tea and horse caravan trail.

2 kinds of caravan groups ,one works for government, the other is made of individual trading  group.the caravan groups could be teamed up by their ethnic identity  as well as their believes ,such groups as Muslim caravan group.Bai caravan group etc .it could be teamed up as where they are from originally ,such as Shaxi caravan group ,Deqin group .

In this particular organization 3 persons are in charge .they are the head leader ,the vice  leader and the manager .to be a head leader one must  need to know very well about goods trading alone the trails ,includes local products from different regions ,pricing as well as handful of social network .who are also capable of dealing with different caravan groups,government officers ,local inn runners or  whoever you may encountered along the long trip  .he also needs to know everything about trails conditions ,rest stops ,bridges etc like back of his palm .while  the leader is away then the vice leader became  his replacement .the manager  dealt  with expenses such as incomes and outcomes ,he acts like a finance manager in all .

The rest of the people in such a  groups are horse  man.one horse man may take care of  4 horses .one caravan group consists 5 horse man as a unit

Lots of these groups contently travel to north part of Tibet ,west part of Burma and south Thailand .oftern such a journey would cross different ethnic groups in different territories ,and every part you came across all speak different languages.there is a such leader in dali from the past used to travel up to WEIXI ,he was able to speak Bai,Han,Naxi,Yi,Tibetan languages to assure no matter where his group went they could have a smooth journey .

The caravan culture disappeared long ago  due to the roads developments in SW Yunnan  .but the footprint of these great horse groups and its very trails  are still stands somewhere still beyond the face of time .one day you can go out there and see it with your owns eyes .this is probably  the charm of history combined with travel  ,it awaits us for more discovery and connections with the long gone past  .

Enjoy your reading !

 

 

 

 

Top Yunnan Province Tours

$157 Per Day

Lijiang highlights tour

Day 1  Take direct flight to Lijiang, or transfer from Kunming to Lijiang. Day 2  Tour around the Old Town, including the Sifang Square, Lion Hill and Zhongyi fruit and vegetable market; Black Dragon Pool; Luch in beautiful leisure Shuhe Old Town, then drive 1/2 hrs to Lashi Lake for horse riding around Naxi villages and boating on the peaceful lake. Dinner in a Naxi family. For culture lovers, you may check out the Naxi Antient Music Concert at 8pm..  Mr....Read more

Day 1  Take direct flight to Lijiang, or transfer from Kunming to Lijiang. Day 2  Tour around the Old Town, including the Sifang Square, Lion Hill and Zhongyi fruit and vegetable market; Black Dragon Pool; Luch in beautiful leisure Shuhe Old Town, then drive 1/2 hrs to Lashi Lake for horse riding around Naxi villages and boating on the peaceful lake. Dinner in a Naxi family. For culture lovers, you may check out the Naxi Antient Music Concert at 8pm..  Mr. Xuanke, the conductor of the band, who stayed 29 years in prison as a high scholar in last century, has amazing stories sharing with you. Day 3  Drive 40 kms to the Jade Dragon Snow Mt., watch the show  Impression Lijiang, which is something you can not miss coming to this area ( 70 munites long). Then take cable car to the Glacier Park ( altitude at 4500 meters), or Yak Meadow ( 3800 meters high), or Spruce Meadow ( 3300 meters high); Blue Moon Valley, where the water is naturally blue and green; Yufeng Lama Temple and Baisha Fresco on the way back. In Lijiang, 10 percent of population is Tibetan. Tibetan Buddhism came to Lijiang and Naxi people in 700 A.D.. Day  4  Drive 2.5 hrs to Tiger Leaping Gorge. Due to your health and energy level, we can either go to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is the most beautiful part, or just the normal tour spots for 2 hrs walking along the river. Drive back to Lijiang.  Day 5  Take a morning flight to your next destination.

Location
China
Yunnan Province
Lijiang
Duration
3 to 5 days
$300 Per Day

lijiang tiger leaping gorge white water terrace to Shangri-la

Fourdays trip from lijiang to shangri-la back to lijiang Day1 Pick up from lijiang 2hours drive byprivate car to qiao tou ,then hike from qiaotou take 5hours to tea hourse sleep there....Read more

Fourdays trip from lijiang to shangri-la back to lijiang Day1 Pick up from lijiang 2hours drive byprivate car to qiao tou ,then hike from qiaotou take 5hours to tea hourse sleep there. Day2 after breakfast start tea hourse take 4hours to walnut garden,have lunch there then walk down to see the middle gorge take3-4hours then back sleep at walnut garden Day3 after breakfast take two hours private car to white water terrace look around there one hour then straight to Shangri-la 3hours by car,look around old town ,lapa sea stay in Shangri-la over night Day4 leave morning to see the Blue month valley,or Pudacuo National Park,after lunch take 4hours back to lijiang

Location
Yunnan Province
China
Duration
3 to 5 days
$1200 Per Day

9 Days Standard Tour of Kunming ——Dali ——Lijiang and Shangri-La

Day1

...Read more

Day1

Meet you outside the baggage claim area at Kunming Airport and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is on your own to explore the city.
Kunming hotel
★★★★

Day2
Full day tour to visit the Qiongzhu Temple and the Stone Forest  the Stone Forest scenic area is composed of seven scenic spots, including the Big Stone Forest, the Small Stone Forest, Naigu Stone Forest, Da Die Shui, Long Lake, Moon Lake, Zhiyun Cave and Qifeng Cave. The Stone Forest is really a typical model of China's Karst,
Kunming hotel
★★★★

Day3
Take an early morning flight to Dali. Visit the Erhai Lake Park, the Three Pagoda Temple and the Dali Old Town, the Three Pagoda Temple is made up of three ancient independent pagodas standing in a symmetrical triangle.
Dali Old Town -The history of Dali Old Town can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty when Dali was the capital of Nan Zhao Kingdom.
Land Scape hotel
★★★★

Day4
It takes about three hours' driving to Lijiang and transfer to the hotel. On the way to Lijiang, visit the Bai Traditional House in Xizhou and Zhoucheng, famous for tie dyeing. Visit the Square Street of the Lijiang Old Town. Lijiang Old Town was originally built in the later period of 13th Century. It has an elevation of 2400 meters (about 1.5 miles) and covers an area of 939 acres. The population of the old town is over 25,000, most of which are Naxi people. What is interesting is that Lijiang Old Town is the only Chinese historical and cultural town built without city wall.
Lijiang Grand hotel
★★★
Day5
Visit the Baisha Village and a local Naxi family, the Baisha Murals, the Rock Joseph's Former Residence in Yuhu Village. Afternoon is free for you to enjoy the small bridges, swift streams, cobbled streets and grey tiled roofs of the Residential Houses in the Lijiang Old Town. Enjoy the Naxi Ancient Music and Dance Performance at Dongba Palace in the evening
Lijiang Grand hotel
★★★
Day6
Drive to Shangri-La and transfer to the hotel. On the way to Shangri-La, visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the First Bend of the Yangtze River and the Stone Drum Town. the Tiger Leaping Gorge lies in the upper reaches of the Golden Sand River. Its total length is 18 kilometers (11.2 miles), with the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the east and the Haba Snow Mountain in the west. The vertical height of the gorge is 3,790 meters (12,434 feet), thus it is the deepest gorge of the world. Since the narrowest part is only 30 meters (98.4 feet) wide, the tiger could just leap from a reef to the other side of the river. So it gained the name Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Shangri-La Paradise Hotel
★★★★★

Day7
Visit the Songzanlin Temple, the biggest Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Yunnan, the Bitahai Lake, Shudu Lake and a Tibetan family. Songzanlin Temple - As the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan Province,

The Bitahai Lake is in the shape of trumpet shell, encircled by mountains. Covering an area of 148 acres, the lake is 40-meter (131 feet) deep and has an altitude of 3504 meters (11,496 feet). The plants around the lake are various, including spruces, pinares, oaks, white birches and azaleas.        
Shudu Lake - As one of the biggest lakes of Shangri-la County, the plants around the lake are lush and the wild animals are various, such as the musk deer, golden cats, samburs, Tibetan eared pheasants, bears and panthers.
Shangri-La Paradise Hotel
★★★★★
Day8
Take flight to Kunming. Visit the Golden Temple, the Daguan Park and the Flowers and Birds Market. Check in at the hotel
Golden Temple - was built in the Ming Dynasty. The Mingfeng Hill was also named Xiangdu Hill. Since then, the scenic area around the temple has become a well-known Taoist attraction of Yunnan.  
Daguan Park - The Daguan Park in Kunming is located on the bank of the Dianchi Lake and faces the Western Hills which are on the other side of the lake. It is said that the original site of the Daguan Park was a small temple built by a monk for giving Buddhist lessons. Several years later, the governor of Yunnan Province Wang Jiwen was attracted by the beautiful scenery here and decided to construct a park by adding halls, pavilions, rockeries and porches. The most notable attraction in the park is the Daguan Pavilion.
kunming hotel
★★★★
Day9
Your pleasant China tour ends as we transfer you to the airport and help you board the flight back home
End of the tour
 

Location
Yunnan Province
China
Duration
7 or more days
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