Yunnan - South of the Clouds
Yunnan borders Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. It is located in the far south of China, spanning approximately 394,000 square kilometers. Yunnan is well known for its pleasant climate and beautiful scenery. 36 of China's 56 officially recognized ethnic groups - many of them indigenous to the area and speaking non-Sinitic languages, reside in Yunnan - making it a cultural and custom colorful.
Kunming is the capital of Yunnan.
Yunnan Highlilghts
[Stone Forest ] The Stone Forest is a notable set of karst formations in Shilin County, which is about 85 kilometers from the city of Kunming and requires only a two-hour drive. It covers an area of 2,670 square kilometers and includes Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone forest, Outer Stone Forest, Underground Stone Forest, Stone Forest Lake, and Da Dieshui Falls. An old local saying says that "If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time."
Each year around the 24th and 25th day of the sixth lunar month, many Yi people celebrate the Torch Festival, which features folk dances and wrestling competitions.
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08:30-18:00 |
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[Jade Dragon Snow Mountain] Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, 15 km away from Lijiang city. The mountain extends 35 km from south to north and 12 km from west to east, producing different altitudes in the mountain. The summit, Shanzidou, is 5596 meters above sea level. The view of the mountain from the Black Dragon Pool in Lijiang is noted as one of China's finest views. The far side of the mountain forms one side of Tiger Leaping Gorge.
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08:30-17:00 |
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[Lijiang Old Town] Old Town of Lijiang is a famous UNESCO Heritage Site. The town has a history going back more than 800 years and was once a confluence for trade along the old tea horse road. The Lijiang old town is famous for its orderly system of waterways and bridges. This Old Town is also the only old city built without a city wall.
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[Lugu Lake] Lugu lake is 202 km northeast of Lijiang on the border of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. With an average depth of 45 meters, it is the second deepest lake in Yunnan. The inhabitants around the lake are the Mosuo people, a small tribe that is considered a sub clan of Naxi people. They are a matriarchal society, no marriage. Men stay in the women's home as mates called 'Axia' and the intimate relationship lasts as long as they like. Children are brought up by women, and use the surname of theiA young woman of the ethnic minority Mosuor mothers. Families are composed of the members of the matrilineal kin. Women operate production and management, and hold the principal position in the society, forming a modern day 'woman's kingdom', which adds mystique to this place.
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[Tiger Leaping Gorge] It is located 60 km north of Lijiang City. Around 15 km in length, the gorge is located where the river passes between 5,596 metre Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and 5,396 m Haba Xueshan in a series of rapids under steep 2000 metre cliffs. Legend says that in order to escape from a hunter, a tiger jumped across the river at the narrowest point (still 25 metres wide), hence the name.
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08:30-18:00 |
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[Shangri-la] Former Zhongdian County, it is a primarily Tibetan county in northwestern Yunnan. Shangri-la is still possible to experience the area's Tibetan heritage and see gorgeous countryside in near isolation. Songzanlin Monastery (Ganden Sumtseling Monastery) is the most important destination. |
