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optional tours Yunnan
optional tours YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
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China optional tours: Yunnan/Kunming |
(2012.4.1-2013.3.31) |
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Yunnan optional tours
1. Dali Landscape 1 Day: Pleasure boating on Erhai Lake (With Bai Three-course Tea, dance and sing performance), Butterfly Spring Park, Three Pagoda Temple, Dali Ancient Town
2. Dali Folklore 1 Day: Mt. Cangshan sightseeing including cable Car, Butterfly Spring Park, Three Pagoda Temple, Xizhou Bai Village (With Bai Three-course tea, dance and sing performance) and Dali Ancient Town
3. Lijiang 1 Day: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yun Shan Ping Yak Pasture, Baisha Naxi Village Ancient Mural Painting, Yufeng Lama Temple, Mu’s Palace, Dayan Ancient Naxi Town
4. Dali and Lijiang Landscape 3 Days/2 Nights:
Day1 Cangshan sightseeing including cable Car, Butterfly Spring Park, Three Pagoda Temple, Xizhou Bai Village (With Bai Three-course tea, dance and sing performance) and Dali Ancient Town
Day2 Drive from Dali to Lijiang, Black Dragon Pool Park, Dayan Ancient Naxi Town
Day3 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yun Shan Ping Yak Pasture, Baisha Naxi Village Ancient Mural Painting and Dongba Village.
5. Dali and Lijiang Folklore 3 Days/2 Nights:
Day1: Cangshan sightseeing including cable Car, Butterfly Spring Park, Three Pagoda Temple, Xizhou Bai Village (With Bai Three-course tea, dance and sing performance) and Dali Ancient Town
Day2: Drive from Dali to Lijiang. Visit Mu’s Palace and Dayan Ancient Naxi Town
Day3: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yun Shan Ping Yak Pasture, Baisha Naxi Village Ancient Mural Painting and Dongba Village.
6. Zhongdian 1 Day: Shangri-la State Park-Pudacuo Park（Including Bitahai Lake and Shudu Lake）,
Tibetan Lama Temple Songzanlinsi, Tibetan house and family visit,and Napahai
Lake Natural Reserve
7. Zhongdian and Lijiang 3 Days/2 Nights:
Day1 Shangri-la State Park-Pudacuo Park（Including Bitahai Lake and Shudu Lake）, Tibetan Lama Temple Songzanlinsi, Tibetan house and family visit, Zhongdian Old Town.
Day2 Drive from Zhongdian to the Tiger Leaping Gorges and the First Bend of the Yanytze River.
Day3 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yun Shan Ping Yak Pasture, Baisha Naxi Village Ancient Mural Painting, Yufeng Lama Temple, Back Dragon Pool Park, Dayan Ancient Naxi Town.
8. Dali, Lijiang and Zhongdian 4 Days/3 Nights:
( Starts from Zhongdian / Ends in Dali or Stars from Dali / Ends in Zhongdian )
Day1 Shangri-la State Park-Pudacuo Park (Including .Bitahai Lake and Shudu Lake) , Tibetan
Lama Temple Songzanlinsi, Tibetan house and family visit，Zhongdian Old Town
Day2 Drive from Zhongdian to Lijiang Jade Spring Park, Dayan Ancient Naxi Town
Day3 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yun Shan Ping Yak Pasture, Baisha Naxi Village Ancient Mural Painting, Dongba Village Bus Dali.
Day4 Cangshan sightseeing including cable Car, Butterfly Spring Park, Three Pagoda Temple, Xizhou Bai Village (With Bai Three-course tea, dance and sing performance) and Dali Ancient Town.
9. East-Line 1 Day: One day Stone Forest tour including lunch
10. South-Line 1 Day: Western Hill Senic Area(One way cable Car), Daguan Park, Yunnan Ethnic,Nationality Cultural Village including lunch.
11. North-Line 1 Day: Golden Temple, Yuantong Temple and EXPO’99 Kunming including lunch
14. Huangguoshu Water Fall 2 Days:
D1 Pick up Kunming Railway Station to take 2080/19：30 to Anshun
D2 Arrive Anshun at 06：10AM, then visit Huangguoshu Water Fall and Tianxingqiao Reserve
D3 Long Place, Hongfenghu Reserve，Jiaxiulou and Guiyang City. To catch T2079 return back to Kunming after dinner.
D4 Arrive Kunming
15. Luoping Rape Flower Field 3 Days
Day 1: Kunming-Luoping(ld)
Drive from Kunming to Luoping, after lunch; visit Jiulong Waterfall Natural Reserve. 22 kilometers northeast of the seat of Luoping County are the Jiulong Waterfalls, where tiers of waterfalls are crowded in the riverbed of 4 kilometers long. Standing on the sightseeing platform, you can take in ten waterfalls at a glance. The Jiulong Waterfalls are the greatest of the waterfall cluster in China. Photographing the Golden Fields of Rape on the way. Enjoy local flavor as the dinner.
Day 2: Luoping(bld)
After breakfast, visit the Three Gorges of Lubuge by steamboat. It is located 40 kilometers southeast of the county seat. Lubuge is a Buyi word, meaning a beautiful Buyi village". A major scenic point is the famous Lubuge Power Stastion Dam and its artificial lake. The dam is 103 meters high and the reservoir has a storage capacity of 110, 000, 000 cubic meters. Up the dam are the Little Three Gorges. Driver to The Duoyi River Scenic Spot, it is lies 33 kilometers southeast of the county seat. Formed by the water from 5 underground springs, the river flows between its green banks for 12 kilometers as if it were a tender Buyi girl. And you will see the waterwheels there, and thousands of rapes are in full bloom, looking like and expanse of a golden sea.
Day 3: Luoping-Kunming(b)
After breakfast, drive back to Kunming, and see you off.
16. Yuanyang Hani Terraced Field
Price List(in RMB totally) |
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| Yunnan optional tours |
1P |
2P |
3P |
4P |
5P |
6P |
7P |
| 1.Dali Landscape 1 Day |
1680 |
1990 |
2460 |
3105 |
3550 |
3890 |
4215 |
| 2.Dali Folklore 1 Day |
1680 |
1990 |
2460 |
3105 |
3550 |
3890 |
4215 |
| 3.Lijiang 1 Day |
1560 |
2040 |
2685 |
3290 |
3915 |
4310 |
4700 |
| 4.Dali & Lijiang Landscape 3D/2N |
2980 |
4740 |
5170 |
6300 |
7010 |
7870 |
8650 |
| 5.Dali & Lijiang Folklore 3D/2N |
2980 |
4740 |
5170 |
6300 |
7010 |
7870 |
8650 |
| 6.Zhongdian 1D |
1560 |
2040 |
2685 |
3290 |
3915 |
4310 |
4700 |
| 7.Zhongdian & Lijiang 3D/2N |
3630 |
4660 |
5180 |
6340 |
6990 |
7780 |
8180 |
| 8.Dali,Lijiang & Zhongdian 4D/3N |
3980 |
4960 |
5690 |
6710 |
7300 |
8220 |
8860 |
| 9.East-line 1 Day |
1660 |
2040 |
2685 |
3290 |
3915 |
4310 |
4700 |
| 10. South-line 1 Day |
1500 |
1890 |
2460 |
3105 |
3550 |
3890 |
4215 |
| 11. North-line 1 Day |
1460 |
1600 |
1890 |
2160 |
2465 |
2690 |
2890 |
| 12.Airport - Hotel Transfer (1way, KM/ZD) |
200 |
220 |
240 |
260 |
280 |
300 |
320 |
| 13.Airport - Hotel Transfer (1way, DL/LJ) |
260 |
280 |
300 |
320 |
340 |
360 |
380 |
| 15.Luoping Rape Flower Field 3D/2N |
3780 |
4860 |
5180 |
6340 |
6990 |
7780 |
8180 |
| Note: The price is not including the Spring Festival, Labor Day and National Day. |
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Air Ticket Reference (in RMB/pp) excl.tax |
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| AIRLINE |
RATE |
AIRLINE |
RATE |
| KUNMING>DALI |
430 |
KUNMING>ZHONGDIAN |
700 |
| KUNMING>BANNA |
650 |
DALI>BANNA |
650 |
| KUNMIN>LIJIANG |
530 |
LIJIANG>BANNA |
760 |
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Hotel Accomodation (in RMB/per room per night incl.abfs) |
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| HOTEL |
LESS THAN 3 ROOMs |
MORE THAN 3 ROOMs |
| KUNMING |
★★★★★
Kai Wah Plaza International Hotel |
790 |
590 |
| ★★★★★
Bank Hotel |
760 |
590 |
| ★★★★★
Harbor Plaza Hotel |
720 |
590 |
| ★★★★
Kunming Hotel |
590 |
490 |
| ★★★★
Jinjiang Hotel |
590 |
490 |
| ★★★★
Golden Dragon Hotel |
590 |
490 |
| ★★★★
New Era Hotel |
590 |
490 |
| ★★★
Golden Spring Hotel |
460 |
390 |
| DALI |
★★★★★
Regent Hotel |
620 |
620 |
| ★★★★
Asia Star Hotel |
580 |
490 |
| ★★★
Jinda Hotel(Only offers Chinese breakfast) |
390 |
320 |
| LIJIANG |
★★★★★
Guanfang Hotel |
690 |
690 |
| ★★★★★
Guanfang Hotel Lijiang Garden Villa |
590 |
590 |
| ★★★★
Shen Long Hotel |
560 |
460 |
| ★★★★
Golden Spring Hotel |
560 |
460 |
| ★★★★
Guanguang Hotel |
560 |
460 |
| ★★★
Jiguan Hotel |
460 |
400 |
★★★
Kaitian Hotel
|
460 |
400 |
| ZHONGDIAN |
★★★★★
Paradise Hotel |
690 |
690 |
| ★★★★
Holy Palace Hotel |
540 |
490 |
| ★★★★
Guanguang Hotel |
520 |
460 |
| ★★★
Xing Hua Hotel(Only offers Chinese breakfast) |
440 |
390 |
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Yunnan optional tours takes you to the old and unsophisticated villages and the dreamland of Shangri-la from the modern capital city of Yunnan-Kunming that is famous for the mild climate all year round. From the trip, you will have an idea about the customs of Han people, Bai people, Naxi people and Tibetans with the background of plateau jokul, meadows, lakes and onrushing rivers. Besides the World Heritage-Old Lijiang Town, the deepest canyon in the world-Tiger Leaping Gorge and well-known Shangri-la (whose former name is Zhongdian), there are many other sparkly places arranged in the trip. It is believed that this trip will be an unforgettable experience in your life.
The Dreamland of Shangri-la Tour is an in-depth exploration of stunning Yunnan Province and the ideal addition for those wanting to immerse themselves in the local culture and surroundings. Yunnan is a step back in time with medieval villages of stone houses, arched bridges and classic Chinese temples and pavilions set among snow capped mountains and terraced rice fields. Yunnan is one of China's most ethnically diverse regions and we explore the fascinating Naxi, Bai and Tibetan cultures and sample the excellent local cuisine. |
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Kunming is the political, economic, communications and cultural center of Yunnan, and is the seat of the provincial government. It is also home to several universities, museums, galleries and other important economic, cultural, and educational institutions. The headquarters of many of Yunnan's large businesses are in Kunming as well. It was important during World War II as a Chinese military center, American air base, and transport terminus for the Burma Road. Located in the middle of the Yunnan-Guizhou |
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Plateau, Kunming is located at an altitude of 1,900 m above sea level and at a latitude just north of the Tropic of Cancer.
It is the leading transportation hub (air, road, rail) in SW China, with a rail connection to Vietnam and road links to Burma and Laos. Kunming currently has a new international airport under development, which is slated to be the fourth largest international airport in China. Situated in a fertile plain 640 km southwest of Chongqing, Kunming is an important trading center between the far west and central and south China. It is one of China's largest producers of copper. Copper is smelted with nearby hydroelectric power. Coal is mined, and the city has a few iron and steel complexes. Other manufactures include phosphorus, chemicals, machinery, textiles, paper, and cement. Although it was often the seat of kings in ancient times, Kunming's modern prosperity dates only from 1910, when the railroad from Hanoi was built. The city has continued to develop rapidly under China's modernization efforts. Kunming's streets have widened while office buildings and housing projects develop at a fast pace. Kunming has been designated a special tourism center and as such sports a proliferation of high-rises and luxury hotels. |
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Stone Forest
The Stone Forest is about 120 kilometers from Kunming city and requires only a three-hour drive. It covers an area of 400 square kilometers and includes both large and small stone forests as well as many other scenic spots. It has been known since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) as the 'First Wonder of the World’.
The magnificent, strange and steep landscape of the Stone Forest creates countless labyrinthine vistas, all of which feature stones in various formations. Animals, plants, and even human figures can be found here. Some are elegant, some are rugged, and each is lifelike with its own distinguishing characteristics. Geologists say |
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the Stone Forest is a typical example of karsts topography.Approximately 270 million years ago - during the carboniferous period of the Paleozoic era - the region was a vast expanse of sea. Over years of movements, the lithosphere gradually caused a retreat of the waters and the rise of the limestone landscape. Due to constant erosion by the elements, the area finally developed into the present-day Stone Forest. |
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Golden Temple
Located on the top of Mingfeng (Singing Phoenix) Hill is the home of the Taoist Taihe Palace (Hall of Supreme Harmony), which is the largest copper temple in China. The history of Golden Temple starts during the Ming Dynasty in 1602 and the entire temple was rebuilt in 1890 after the Muslim rebellion of 1857. 250 tons of solid bronze ware used to build the temple except for the staircases and balustrades, which are made of marble. The walls, columns, rafters, roof tiles, altars, Buddha statues, wall decorations and the banner near the gate tower are all made of copper. The burnished copper gleamed like gold and that is why people named it the Golden Temple. Since its last renovation, this beloved copper temple on the top of Mingfeng Hill has been well cared and has become the most famous Taoist shrine in Yunnan Province. |
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Western Hills Senic Area
Contrasted with Dianchi Lake,it is famours Western Hills Scenic Area where located at the west bank of the lake, it’s a large forest park with hills and ridges rising one upon another, and covered with old tall trees. The park is endowed with dense natural forests, murmuring streams, luxuriantly green bamboos, and crisscross with ancient paths. Scenic spots and historical sites are over hill and dale. The area from Sanqing Tower to Longmen is a place of concentration of the most spectacular scenic spots and architecture, and therefore reputed as "No.1 Scenery in middle Yunnan".
Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a young woman whose husband was taken by the local chieftain and sent away as slave. She thought of her husband day and night and wept such copious tears that they became Dianchi Lake, while she herself lay down and became Western Hill. The hill is a pleasant place for a stroll beside the picturesque lake. |
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Dali Ancient City
Dali Ancient City is 13 kilometers away from Xiaguan in Dali City and is one of the 'Three Ancients' (Ancient Cities, Ancient Pagodas and Ancient Steles) of the Dali Scenic Spot. History of Dali can be dated back to 1382 during the Ming Dynasty
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(1368-1644) and it has been listed among the top historical cities of China since 1982. Unlike any other Chinese city, the traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses give the city distinctive feel.The city layout was uniform, with five main streets from south to north and eight main streets from east to west, while marketplaces were neatly arranged within the city, which has remained unchanged to this date. Besides the Bai ethnic minority traditional folk houses, the houses with gray-green roof tiles, peculiar workshops, temples, schools and churches with antique flavor are scattered. Traditional marble artworks, like pencil vases, striped screens, and a variety of woven handicrafts of fine straw are laid chockablock on both sides of the street to be appreciated and purchased. Its grand city wall, traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses and marvelous scenery have been attracting many visitors. |
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Mt. Cangshan consisting of 19 peaks and 18 streams in total is located about 2 km to the west of the Dali city. The Horse and Dragon Peak (Malong Peak), the highest one, towers 4,122 meters above sea level and the mountain top is covered with snow all year round. The 18 streams flow down from the mountain valleys and empty themselves at Eihai Lake, which become the major water source for the lake.
a mountain immediately west of Dali in China's southwestern province of Yunnan.
For centuries, the Cangshan Mountain not only offers tourists enchanting scenery, but also a place for religious worship and retreat. You can take a cable car and horse back ride up to the mountain slopes, where some Buddhist temples are scattered in the mountain range. People can walk along the flat road on the mountain, and enjoy |
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the spectacular view of Erhai Lake and other scenic spots.
Erhai Lake
Erhai Lake is the largest highland lake next to Dianchi and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. The name means 'Sea shaped like an ear' in Chinese. The lake covers an area of 250 square kilometers and is located about two kilometers east of Dali. From Cangshan Mount, It looks like a crescent lying between Cangshan and Dali city. In a sunny day, the crystal waters of Erhai Lake and the snow mantled Cangshan Mount radiate with each other. Thus the beautiful scene was commonly described as 'Silver Cangshan and Jade Erhai'.
The surrounding islands, temples and villages by Erhai Lake are worth |
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seeing too. The Golden Shuttle Island and the nearby fishing community of Bai Minority do deserve a visit, with its attractive Bai culture and lifestyle, the rare beauty of the lake and its surrounding scenery. In Spring time, visitors may enjoy the wonderland of flowers of camellias, azaleas and primrose, and abundant exotic trees in Erhai Lake Park. |
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Butterfly Spring
Situated 27 kilometers south of Dali, this popular beauty spot is locally called the 'Butterfly Spring' as the spring rises to form a square shaped pool that is shaded by the dense foliage that lines its banks.
The pool is 50 square meters in size and above it is an ancient decumbent tree, known as the famous 'Butterfly Tree', since its fragrant blossom attracts thousands of butterflies in the short interval of spring turns to summer. These small multi-colored creatures fly around the pool and settle on the tree in great clusters as they sip the nectar from its blooms. The vast numbers of butterflies are hardly distinguishable from the flowers as the whole tree pulsates with every color of the rainbow. This spectacular sight has given rise to a local festival when the Bai people gather at the tree on April 15th for the 'Butterfly Meet', where the Bai youth will seek to engage with the love of his life. |
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Three Pagodas
Three Pagodas, located about 1 kilometer northwest of the ancient city of Dali, has a history of over 1,800 years. It is a symbol of the history of Dali City, and a record of the development of Buddhism in the area.
The middle pagoda is 69.13 meters high, which is one of the highest pagodas from the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), while the other lower two previously could be climbed by ladder from the inside. Three Pagodas, together with Zhaozhou Bridge of Hebei Province and Big Wild Goose |
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Pagoda in Xian, Shaanxi Province, are three curiosities of Chinese ancient architecture. Many sculptures of Buddha made of gold, silver, wood or crystal, Buddhist readings and more than 600 various medicinal ingredients were found in Qianxun Pagoda, playing an important role in explaining the ancient history of Dali City. Study of Three Pagodas and the cultural relics excavated at the site will provide significant data in exploring the history, religion and art of the area. |
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Lijiang:
Lying in a broad, fertile valley dominated by the towering, snow-capped peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Range, Lijiang was founded as Dayan, a largely Naxi settlement first built during the Southern Song Dynasty nearly eight centuries ago. Its architecture is noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures that have evolved over many centuries. Lijiang also possesses an ancient water-supply system which still functions effectively today. In 1986, China’s State Council designated Lijiang |
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as an important historical and cultural national treasure. It was included on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1997.
Once you are in Lijiang, a small, quiet, and comfortable city in China's southwestern province of Yunnan, you will find it hard to tear yourself away and return to the hustle and bustle of the large cities. The dustless streets paved with colorful pebbles and the wooden houses with their gray roofs make you forget the grim forests of cement in the large cities. |
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Tiger Leaping Gorge(Hutiao Gorge)
It is on the Jinsha River of the upper reaches of the Yangtze) is located 105 kilometers south of Zhongdian County. The gorge is 17 kilometers long with a drop of 213 meters.
The gorge is divided into three sections: Upper, Middle and Lower Hutiao. At the narrowest spot the river is only 30 meters wide. The mouth of the gorge is 1,800 meters above sea level. The river is flanked by Yulong and Haba snow mountains, with a height difference of 3,900 meters. It is one of the deepest gorges in the world.
Trekking Routes in Tiger Leaping Gorge
There are three routes. One can start from Hutiaoxia Town along the river to Daju in Lijiang County, or go upstream from Daju. The third route sets out from Hutiaoxia Town to Hetao-yuan and is 28 km in length.
An adventurous add-on to the gorge trek is to continue north all the way to Haba village and the limestone terraces of Baishuitai, making it a four-day trek from Qiaotou. From here you will travel on to Zhongdian.
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Carrying a bag, walking among people in different colors of skin and speaking different languages, you are not on Champs Elysees Avenue in Paris but Tiger-leaping orge, the world famous place for people to ravel on foot. You can begin from the upper or lower part of the gorge and finish the trip in three days. It will be a safe trip. However, the dangerousness of the gorge itself will make it more difficult for ordinary travelers.
The Tiger Leaping Gorge stretches from the Qiaotou village through the Zhongdian County and eventually ends at the Daju village, Lijiang City. The gorge is 18 kilometers long situating along the upriver of the Jinsha River, or the Golden Sand River. It can be divided into three parts based upon its hypsography characteristics: the upper gorge, the middle gorge and the lower gorge. The most famous scenic spots are the Mouth of the Gorge and the Tiger Leaping Pebble, both of which are on the upper gorge.
The Mantianxing Reefs Area and the Yixiantian in the middle gorge are the two most famously known dangerous spots. One can tell the arduousness from their names, Mantianxing Reefs meaning that there are so many reefs that it looks like a starring sky, and Yixiantian meaning huge rock cracks.
The name of the Tiger Leaping Gorge comes from a legend. The story goes like this: once upon a time, there was a tiger trying to leap across the narrowest part of the gorge, which was merely 30 meters wide. The reefs in the gorge are grotesque in shape. There are 21 rapids, 10 waterfalls and 7 10-meter drops along the Golden Sand River.
Geographically speaking, the Tiger Leaping Gorge is formed as a result of crust movement in Jinsha River area and the Yulong Snow Mountain (the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain).
The gorge is not only a scenic area but also a place with abundant natural resources. Experts believe that it is feasible to build a hydroelectric dam at Tiger Leaping Gorge.
The Tiger Leaping Gorge area is the birthplace of the ancient culture of Lijing. There are many caves that were naturally formed houses for the ancient primitives. Rock paintings and carvings found in the caves depict the lives of ancient tribes. It has become one of the most popular tourist attractions at Tiger Leaping Gorge.
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Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. It consists of13 peaks with the highest one at an altitude of 5,600 meters, and stretches a length of 35 kilometers and a width of 20 kilometers. Looking from Lijiang Old Town 15 kilometers away, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
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Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a sanctuary for rare animals and wild plants. About one fourth of all plant species in China can be found here and 20 primeval forest communities shelter a big family of 400 types of trees and 30 kinds of animals which are protected by the state. These species live in different temperature levels and create different kinds of views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The peaks are covered by snow all year round and the mountain is called the "Natural Glacier Museum". You can see rivers and pools formed by the thawed snow water running along the valley and through the forests. The plants and the animals are different according to the altitude, so are the views. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain now is a famous scenic spot for sightseeing, mountaineering, skiing, exploration, scientific research and taking holiday. |
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Old Town (Naxi)
The Old Town of Lijiang is a well-preserved old city of Naxi Ethnic Minorities with brilliant culture in Yunnan Province.
With a history of more than 800 years, the Old Town was firstly built in the late Song and early Yuan Dynasty and occupies an area of 3.8 square kilometers. It is built along the lie of mountains and the flow of rivers, providing a very precious sample of the research on the old-time architecture. The unique geographical location, historical background and multiracial inhabitants make the town the most special one. As a result of the combination of the multinational culture and the progress of Naxi ethnic minority, the buildings in the town incorporate the best parts of the architectural traits of Han, Bai, and Tibet into a unique Naxi style. The layout of the town is free-style and flexible, the houses are close and diverse, and lanes are narrow and meandering. When walking on the streets of the Old Town, one can feel the prosperity and flourish of the town from the shops with fancy and superb collections of handicrafts. The charming Old Town is now a famous tourist attraction for its traditional ethnic culture customs, inimitable buildings and the wonderful natural views. |
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Mu Palace is residence of the tusi mu's yamen of the naxi ethnic group in yunnan. Tusi mu was the ruler of naxi during the yuan (1271-1368), ming (1368-1644), and qing (1644-1911). Unfortunately during warfare in the qing dynasty most of the residence was destroyed. The present day mu's palace was rebuilt from 1996-1999. the reconstruction is based on the original site and captures the magnificent image of what life was like at this great palace.
Mu Palace reflects the architectural style of the central plains of china during the ming and qing dynasties. Its layout is arranged according to the pattern of the forbidden city. Decorative work, including carvings and paintings of buildings, are similar in style to those in the palace of ming. Most of the decorations are simple but sublime showing the dignity of the ruler. Some of the buildings show the delicate characteristics of landscape gardens in south china.
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Lijiang Mural Painting
The most famous frescos are known as Baisha Mural of the Dabaoji Palace and the Colored Glaze Temple in the town of Baisha, which is ten kilometers northwest of Lijiang Old Town.
The originality and figures of the mural paintings reflect the different religious cultures and artistic forms of Buddhism, Lamaism, Daoism and the Naxi Dongba religion, as developed in a Naxi school. Each painting includes at least one hundred portraits, but perspective is used very well, and the close, middle and establishing images are clear. The various lifelike portraits are |
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not only Buddha but also ordinary people such as bureaucrats, criminals, tourists and executioners. Many of the scenes and subject matters are drawn from daily life-people shown fishing, riding horses, weaving, dancing and casting iron. The style of these true-life frescos is rural and unconstrained; the colors are strong and have intense contrast but are also unified.
The Lijiang Mural fully demonstrates the superb artistic skills, outstanding creativity and rich imaginations of these excellent craftsmen. The vivid and exact figures, flowing lines, well-defined colors and powerful effects of the exquisite details make the Lijiang Mural not only the rare treasure of art, but also forceful proof of national solidarity and an important source for research on national religions, arts and history. |
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Spruce Plateau (Yunshanping Plateau)
The Spruce Plateau is situated half way up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and covers an area of 1 square kilometer. As its name implies, Spruce Plateau is a pasture surround by a forest of gigantic and straight spruces and firs, just like a beautiful green skirt laced by the perfect chiffons. The verdurous grassland, exuberant spruce forest, holy snow mountain and the clean blue sky tier up and represent a majestic sight. Yaks, scalpers, goats and horses roam freely and play leisurely on the meadow. Ringdove, cuckoo, titmouse and many other unnamed |
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birds fly and sing freely in the forest. The beauty of natural serenity and harmony are thoroughly demonstrated here. |
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Jade Spring Park (Heilongtan Park)
Located at the foot of Elephant Hill, Jade spring Park was built in 1737 during the Qing dynasty with name Black Dragon Pool (Heilongtan). Since the water of the pond is as green as a shining jade, the park is also entitled the Jade Spring Park (Yuquan Park). It occupies an area of 11,390 square meters and includes many distinctive, ravishing and well-preserved sites like stone-carved lions, white marble bridges, pavilions, temples and steles etc. These antique and exquisite architectural pieces are in the style |
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of Naxi, which will make your every step in the park a surprise. Besides, at least 500 kinds of flower are planted in the garden and the temple now serves as an exhibition hall for seasonal horticultural shows and art displays. Dongba Culture Research Institute and Dongba Culture Museum are also in the park. |
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Yufeng Lama Temple
First built in 1756, Yufeng Temple is located at the southern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, 13 km northwest from the Old Town of Lijiang. It is surrounded by the flourishing forest and a never-dried river, with snow mountain at the back and meadow in the front. All this makes it a really good place to visit.
The whole Yufeng Temple shows a distinctive and conjunct architectural style of Han Buddhism, |
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Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and the local Naxi Dongba Religion due to the cultural communion between different minorities and different areas. It is also a historical witness of the peaceful coexistence and syncretism of multinational cultures and religions, and still plays a very important role in acculturation of Naxi Ethnic Group. |
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Baisha Naxi Village
Baisha is a small village 10KM north of Lijiang. Although the traditional houses do not look very impressive, Baisha was the historical capital of the Naxi Kingdom and is still a good place to have a glance at the Naxi culture. There are old temples with interesting frescoes(photography is forbidden inside), traditional musicians, as well as Dr Ho, probably one of the best known Naxi men, a Taoist doctor specialist in herbal medicine, made famous by journalists all around the world, who enjoys the celebrity. |
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Zhongdian(Shangri-La):
Zhongdian was named the official Shangri-La in 2001 by the Chinese authorities. With endless kilometers of backcountry just waiting to be discovered, this region offers unique hiking and horse trekking opportunities to those who get the chance to make the journey down to northern Yunnan. At an altitude of 3,200m, Zhongdian is the start of the Tibetan world in northern Yunnan. A generation ago this small town was a frontier trading post on the doorstep of Tibet. But today, the town looks one of China's next adventure hotspots.
The stunning scenery in the area. the azure sky, the breathtaking beauty and the hospitality of unsophisticated people have attracted so many travelers both from China and abroad. Within the city limits, one can wander the streets and see various ethnic groups including Tibetan, Naxi, Han Chinese and Hui Muslim all living and working together in close quarters. This multi-cultural environment gives Zhongdian its distinctive color and charm. |
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Lugu Lake and Mosuo People
In the sublime Xiaoliangshan Mountains of Yongning District of the Ninglang Yi Autonomous County is inlaid a shimmering pearl - Lugu Lake. It is the native place of "The Females' Kingdom" composed of the Mosuo people, a branch of the Naxi nationality. "Lugu" means "falling into the water" in the Mosuo language ("hu" means lake in Chinese.) Hence the name of the lake.
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The shores of the lake is inhabited by the Mosuo people who have peculiar customs and ways, up to now still retaining remnants of matriarchal society. Men and women are not united by wedlock, each living at the mother's home respectively, yet keeping a casual cohabitation relationship. Thus the place is called "A Quaint Realm of Matriarchy".
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Bitahai Lake
As the highest lake in Yunnan Province, Bitahai Lake is 3500 meters above sea level, Covering an area of about 159 hectares (around 393 acres) with an average depth of 20 meters , Bitahai Lake is famous for its limpid water and its beautiful scenery which is set against the mountains and with forests surrounding it.
Bitahai Nature Reserve is an intact natural attraction with various species of flora and fauna and the picturesque landscapes. In ancient Tibetan language, Bita means the area heavily covered with trees. In the reserve itself, century-old pines and cypresses grow around Bitahai Lake, in which the water is crystal clear. In the lake there is an islet covered by cedars and azaleas. In spring, when the withered azalea flowers fall into the lake and are eaten by fish, the fish seem to be unconscious and almost drunk! They float on the surface with their abdomen facing the sky. Around the lake are virgin forests--ideal habitat for rare animals including red-footed pheasant, silver pheasant, wild bull, leopard and lynx.
Bitahai Lake is not only a feast to the eye, but also enhances our sense of beauty and our imagination.
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Songzanlin Monastery
Gedan Songzanlin Monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province, as well as one of the 13 large lamaseries in the Kangzang region (The joint area of Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan). It is 5km from the seat of Zhongdian County. Construction began in 1679 and was completed in 1681. Built along the mountains with a magnificent facade, the present monastery is a faithful imitation of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Covering an area of 33.35 hectares, the hall can hold 1,600 lamas sitting in meditation or chanting the Buddhist scriptures.
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There are many treasures in the monastery. The most famous ones are the eight gold-covered sculptures of Sakyamuni, dozens of bronze sculptures, the 'Ganzur' scriptures hand-written in liquid gold, scriptures written on pattra leaves, gold lamps, and many exquisite gilded silver incense burners. |
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Napahai Lake Natural Reserve
Napahai Nature Reserve is both an ideal grazing field for herdsmen and a paradise for many species of birds. This is, in the true sense, a seasonal lake. When summer comes, snow on the adjacent mountains melts and flows down into about ten rivers forming a vast lake. In the dry season, Napahai becomes a boundless green grassland – the best time for herding sheep or cattle. Every September, the lake again turns into a temporary habitat for migratory birds, such as bar-headed geese, wild ducks and black-necked cranes (one of the 12 rarest bird species in the world). During this period, the lake becomes an ideal place for ornithologists from around the world.
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The county of Luoping sits 220 kilometers east of Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. In February, the entire county transforms into an ocean of rape flowers covering an area of 250,000 MU, a sight so extraordinary that it draws tourists from around the world specifically to take in this spectacle of nature. Allured by the aroma, waves of butterflies and bees flit across the vast rape flower fields.
Held between February and March, the Luoping Rape Flower festival presents golden fields of rape, magnificent Jiulong waterfalls,the Lubuge Gorges and the exotic customs of Buyi people. |
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The Yuanyang Hani Terraced Fields in southwest China's Yunnan Province, 200 km from Kunming, the provincial capital. It is a major annual event for the local Hani ethnic minority, who celebrate this occasion in honor of age-old agrarian culture in that mountainous region. Yuanyang is surrounded on all sides by mountains, and therefore the arable land is scarce. To pursue agriculture in this mountainous terrain, the ingenious and resourceful Hani People had no choice but to dig their paddy fields along the mountain slopes. This innovative method is the only way that the otherwise non-productive land of the mountainside could be put into use.
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