Yunnan, a travel heaven

Although Yunnan province is less developed economically, when compared with China's eastern provinces, its tourism resources are so rich that one should not explore China without visiting Yunnan. From the world-renowned Lijiang, to numerous small ancient towns; From the amazing Karst formations to the newly listed World Heritage Site Hani Terrace, Yunnan can be a complete eye-opener for even the most discerning travelers. Here are eight Yunnan destinations not to be missed. 1 The Old Town of Lijiang The Old Town of Lijiang, located in the Lijiang Autonomous County of the Naxi Ethnic Minority, Southwest China's Yunnan province, is one of the last surviving ancient towns in China. Lying in a broad, fertile valley in the northwest of Yunnan Province, the Old Town of Lijiang has been a commercial, political and cultural center of the Naxi people and other ethnic minorities for over eight centuries. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, Lijiang's Naxi people still preserve much of their native Dongba culture and deep spiritual connection to nature. 2. Honghe Hani Terrace This undated photo shows the rice terraces in Yuanyang county of Honghe prefecture, Southwest China's Yunnan province. The UNESCO's World Heritage Committee inscribed China's cultural landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces onto the prestigious World Heritage List in June,2013, bringing the total number of World Heritage Sites in China to 45. 3, Luoping County The small county of Luoping lies in the relatively underdeveloped eastern part of the Yunnan province, neighboring Guizhou and Guangxi provinces. It sits 220 kilometers east of the capital Kunming. Every spring, the entire county will transform into an ocean of canola flowers, attracting thousands of travelers and photographers to enjoy the spectacle. 4. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, or Yulong Snow Mountain, located near Lijiang, is the southernmost glacier in the northern hemisphere. The snow-capped and fog-enveloped peaks look like a jade dragon in the clouds from the Old Town of Lijiang, from where the mountain's name originated. Its tallest peak has an altitude of 5,600 meters. The mountain abounds in natural landscapes of semitropics, temperate zone and glacial zone. It is a sanctuary for rare animals and plants. 5. Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is located in the beautiful Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, at the south end of Yunnan. The prefecture itself harbors surprising biological diversity and is noted for its mysterious tropical rainforests, wild animals and ethnic minority customs. Founded in 1959, the garden has more than 10,000 species of tropical plants and combines research, education and preservation of rare plant species. 6. Zhengying ancient village Located along the Chirui Lake, Baoxiu town, about 10 kilometers west of Shiping county, Southwest China's Yunnan province, Zhengying village has a history of more than 600 years. In 1999, Zhengying village is named as historical and cultural village of provincial level; hence it acquires the reputation as the "No.1 Village in Yunnan". 7.Heshun Ancient Town Located 3 km to the south of Tengchong County, Yunnan Province, Heshun is a beautiful and quiet old village. It topped China Daily's list of the country's Top Ten Charming Towns. Thanks to its geographic location near Tengchong which used to be a must-pass station on the South Silk Road, Heshun appears to be a famous "hometown of overseas Chinese". 8. Naigu stone forest The karst formations in Shilin have long been a tourist draw in Yunnan province, but the Naigu stoneforest in Lunan county just 10 kilometers away is now emerging as a popular destination. A central part of Stone Forest Park that was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2007, the 30-square-kilometer Naigu scenic area is known as a natural museum of karst landforms. The word naigu means "ancient and black" in the language of the Yi ethnic group, a fitting description of the mass of blackish limestone that formed about 270 million years ago. Compared with the Shilin landscape and its sword-shaped stones, the Naigu attraction has much sturdier stone columns that appear as shapes ranging from animals and figures to towers and blockhouses. The highest is more than 40 meters tall. Source: china.org from China Travel & Tourism News http://ift.tt/1iB6EFm