Guide to Yunnan Province Attractions

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...

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.

Songzanlin Monastery, Shangri-la

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...

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 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 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 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

Pudacuo National Park

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 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

$300 Per Day

4-Day 3-Night Shangri-la Tour

our Itinerary:

Day 1 Shangri-la Arrival (L)
You will be picked up at the Diqing (Shangri-la) Airport and then transferred to visit the Songzan Lin Temple, the Napa Lake and the local market. Overnight in local hotel.

our Itinerary:

- Songzan Lin Temple: It was founded in the 17th century during the reign of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, when the yellow Hat school came to full ascendancy in Tibet. It lies a few kilometers beyond the north end of town and welcomes visitors who behave respectfully.
- Napa Lake: It locates at the northern end of Zhongdian's plain, a beautiful marshland and an important wintering ground for the black-necked crane and other wild fowl. In spring the meadow is in full flowers with the bleak mountains as backdrop. In summer, after the rains, the water level rises, but in winter it almost dries up again.

Day 2 Shangri-la (B, L)
Visit the Beta Lake, the Xiage Hot Spring. You will visit a Tibetan family and have lunch with them.

- Beta Lake: It is widely recognized as 'A Pearl on the Plateau' and the most attractive lake in Shangri-La. It is said that a goddess dropped her mirror carelessly to the earth when she was making up. The mirror was broken into pieces and they became lakes on the plateau. Among these pieces, the most beautiful piece with green jade turned into today's Bita Lake.

Day 3 Shangri-la (B, L)
Visit the Shangri-la valley or Baishui Terrace. You can choose one.

- Baishui Terrace: Snugly situated on a mountain slope 2,380 meters (about 7,806 feet) above sea level, Baishui Terrace, 140 meters (about 459 feet) in length and 160 meters (about 525 feet) in width, is one of the biggest such terraces in China. The spring water runs down from the top row by row to the bottom, like a white terraced field.

Day 4 Shangri-la Departure (B)
Free at leisure until prepared to be transferred to airport for your departure flight.

Our price includes:
A. Airport pick up and drop-off services; Entrance fees.
B. Meals as listed in the itinerary, B=breakfast; L=lunch.
C. Personal Guide & Driver + Private car / van for Transfers.
D. All Service Charge and Taxes.
E. Luggage Transfers between airports and hotels.
Excludes:
A. Flights in and out Shangri-la.
B. Personal Expenses.
C. Tips to the guide and driver.

Please Note: Price may vary according to different seasons.

How to Book?
1. You can book online or by email, tell us your arrival flight and personal informations, then receive our confirmation email.
2. When you arrive at airport, our tour guide will meet you there by holding a sign with your name on it and transfer you to the confirmed hotel.

$300 Per Day

7 Days Kunming - Dali - Lijiang Classic Tour

Day 1 Arrive in Kunming - Free time

Today's Activities
Arrive in Kunming, the Spring City of China. Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the featured hotel to check in. After a little rest, free to explore around Kunming city, such as the "Kunming 's Jade" - Green Lake Park, Kunming's symbol building - Phoenix Archway, and the vibrant Flowers and Birds Market. Tonight you will stay at the featured hotel in Kunming.

Day 2 Kunming

Day 1 Arrive in Kunming - Free time

Day 2 Kunming

Today's Activities
In the early morning we take you to visit the Yunnan Stone Forest, which is one of most remarkable natural phenomena of China. You will wonder at the innumerable bizarre-shaped ancient limestone cliffs and peaks, which is created by wind and water erosion some 270 million years ago.

After lunch you will proceed to explore the Guandu Old Town, which is one of the historic and cultural towns in Kunming area. The ancient Shaolin Temple and Vajra Pagoda are the must-see of this old town. You will spend a lazy afternoon without the hassle of leaving the city. You can sit down for a cup of tea and chat with local people. A designated food street on the old town's east side offers a wide selection of local eats. Tonight you will stay at the hotel in Kunming.

Day 3 Kunming - Dali

oday's Activities
After breakfast in the hotel, you will go to visit the Western Hills where Taoist temples and Buddhism Temples could be found. A very beautiful lake view of the Dianchi Lake comes into your eyes if being on the top of the Hills - Dragon Gate. The elevation of the Dragon Gate is over 2,300 meters, 300 meters higher than the water surface of the Dianchi Lake. It consists of the Sanqing Temple and the Dragon Gate Grotto which was accomplished through 72 years of hard work (1781-1853). The 3rd March of lunar year is a festive time in the Western Hills, when it is considered the best time for Kunming residents to climb the mountains and look into the distance, to admire the spring flowers and appreciate the feeling of new life.

After lunch, transfer to Dali city, the economic and cultural center of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. Overnight at the hotel in Dali.

Day 4 Dali

Today's Activities
Today, enjoy your one-day day city tour. You will first take a visit to the famous Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery. Then continue to explore Cangshan Mountain that made up of 17 peaks, among which, Malong Peak is the highest one that reach the height up to 4122m. You will catch a cable way up the mountain. On the mountain top, you can enjoy the fantastic view of Erhai Lake. After that, you have chance to ascend on the Ancient City Wall of Dali. Later return back to Dali Ancient Town to explore the town. Tonight you will stay at the hotel in Dali.

Day 5 Dali

Today's Activities
Today's program starts from Xizhou Village which is located about 18 kilometers north of Dali. Xizhou Village is one of the Bai ethnic minority villages around the Erhai Lake and has historic prominence with a cluster of over 100 protected buildings. First you will walk around local morning market to learn about local life and appreciate minority's handicraft works. Then your guide will escort you to visit the Yan Family's Residential House which is the typical house of local residents characterized by a traditional Chinese rectangular courtyard with a screen wall facing the gate. You will be greeted with the show of Three Courses of Tea which is the genuine tea ceremony of the Bai minority, and treated to a song & dance performance by local Bai people. Drive back to Dali. Enjoy a leisure stroll in Dali Old Town in the evening.

Day 6 Lijiang

Today's Activities
After breakfast, we will drive you to the spectacular Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which is the largest snow mountain in the Northern Hemisphere. You will first enjoy the beautiful landscape at the Baishui River (White Water River). It flows at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The riverbed is made up of white marble and lime stones and the river looks white, hence the name of White River (Baishui).

Then proceed to Jade Water Village - a sacred palce of Dongba people. where you will visit a local Naxi family to get a close touch to the daily life of Naxi Minority.

Then visit the Jade Summit Lamasery, a famous Tibetan Temple with ancient forests clustering around . In its northern countyard you can enjoy the treasure of the temple - the giant Camellia Tree, which is more than 500 years old. Because its blossoming period lasts more than 100 days a year, and produces more than 20,000 flowers in 20 groups, it is renowned as "Ten-thousand-flower Camellia".

Afterwards catch a cable car to the summit of the Yak Meadow, one of 13 peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The landscape rises and falls on the meadow. In spring and summer, you can find yaks with black and white skin wandering in grass and all kinds of flowers. In autumn and winter, you will wonder at the sharp contrast between the mild edge of the meadow and the peaks of the snow mountain. The view is unforgettable. Looking down at Ganhaizi and continuous mountains, you will find that the snow mountain is so close to you. Cool wind gently blows on your face. All the things here are so beautiful and peaceful.

After lunch you enjoy the famous movie director Zhang Yimou's musical show "Impression Lijiang". Tonight you will stay at the hotel in Lijiang.

Day 7 Depart Lijiang

Today's Activities Free at leisure until transfer to the airport for next destination. Wish you a happy journey!

$63 Per Day

Two days hiking trip in Tiger Leaping Gorge

This is a wonderful hiking two days trip in Tiger Leaping Gorge, Day 1 pick up from lijiang hotel 8:30 by 2 hours car to Qiao tou,start hiking from qiao tou take 5 hours up to Tea hourse G.H over night there. Day 2 after breakfast take 4hours hiking down to the middle tiger leaping gorge ,have lunch there, then walk down to the river about 3-4 hours after take car back to lijiang.

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