Yunnan Tour – Ten Must Sees of Yunnan
Yunnan is a truly fascinating place to visit. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing, leisurely vacation or one filled with activity and adventure, the spectacular landscape and exotic ethnic minority culture in Yunnan can accommodate all your desires. In this list of 10 must sees of Yunnan, you can have a real insight into the beauty and charm of rural China.
1 . The Stone Forest
As the local says going, if you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time. The Stone Forest was contains peaks, pillars, stalagmites, depressions, underground rivers, and caves. The quintessential karst landscape makes every tourist lost in wonder.
2 . Dali Ancient Town
‘Feng (Wind), Hua (Flower), Xue (Snow), Yue (Moon)’, the Chinese phrase used for romantic, are the four outstanding characteristics of Dali scenery. Dali Ancient Town is endowed with the distinctive feel by traditional Bai houses, grand city wall, marvelous scenery and brilliant red camellias.
3. Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
The Three Pagodas are the symbol of Dali. With more than 1,800 years history, Three Pagodas are made of three ancient independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle. This is unique in China.
4. Lijiang Ancient Town
Praised as the “Oriental Venice” and “Suzhou on the Plateau”, Lijiang Ancient Town has been listed in the World Cultural Heritages by UNESCO in 1997. Strolling around this charming ancient town, you will be attracted by the unique atmosphere and surprised by its ancient yet simple sense of “Harmony of Heaven and Man.”
5. Concert of Naxi Ancient Music
The ancient music, called ‘Dongjing’, or ritual music, was traditionally sung by Taoist monks in mountain caves in most areas of Yunnan province. It has been called a ‘fossil of Chinese music’. A centuries-old Naxi minority group custom of performing their folk music, has become the must-see for many travelers in Lijiang.
6. Naxi Baisha Town
Exploring the Baisha town to enjoy the ancient murals is a great experience and one that visitors should not miss. Baisha Frescos in the town of Baisha is the most famous and preserved frescos stored in Lijiang. These frescoes are both essential to the research of Chinese painting and important cultural heritage relics too.
7. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Looking from Lijiang Old Town in the south which is 15 kilometers (nine miles) away, the snow-covered mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The highest peak named Fan Peak, which is about 5596 meters above sea level. There are three cable cars in the mountain, the first to Glacier Park (4500 M), the second to Spruce Meadow (3200 M), the third to Yak Meadow (3700 M).
8. Tiger Leaping Gorge
The Tiger Leaping Gorge is believed to be the deepest gorge in the world. Legend says that in order to escape from a hunter, a tiger jumped across the river at the narrowest point, still 25m wide, hence the name. This is a great sightseeing stop with enormous photo opportunities Trek the Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the great highlights of any visit to this region.
9. First Bend of Yangtze River
The Yangtze River come down from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, toward southeast, but when it gets to Stone Drum, a beautiful little town in Lijiang, The Yangtze River suddenly make a V-shaped bend and flow to the northeast, thus formed the famous the First Bend of Yangtze River. It is a world-famous geological phenomenon and an unrivalled panoramic scene which makes tourists lingering.
10. Songzanlin Monastery
Originally built in 1681, the Songzanlin Monastery is the largest and the most important Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery in Yunnan province. It now has more than 700 Buddhist monks. The architectural style of the building is a faithful imitation of the Potala Palace in Tibet, hence the name “Small Potala Palace”.
All in all, Yunnan is the perfect destination for people who are interested in China’s ethnic minority groups and their culture, and viewing some of the world’s finest natural scenery. The travel experience in Yunnan just brings anyone fun and possible a little surprise!