In the early morning, by Erhai Lake.
The first ray of sunlight falls on the lake surface, ripples of golden light. In the distance, Cangshan Mountain is shrouded in clouds and mist, snow on the peak appearing and disappearing. A Bai grandmother washes vegetables by the lake, several seagulls circling overhead. Rent an e-bike, ride along the lake-loop road, see sunrise, see fields, see Bai villages—feel Dali’s slow life.
This is the Dali that countless people dream of.
Yunnan is a place that makes you want to stay.
Province Profile#
- Location: Southwest China, western part of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau
- Best Travel Season: Year-round, spring-like all seasons
- Highlights: Wind flowers snow moon, ethnic customs, tropical rainforest, alpine lakes
Must-Visit Attractions#
Dali: The Romance of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon#
Dali has four scenes of “wind, flowers, snow, and moon”—Xiaguan Wind, Shangguan Flowers, Cangshan Snow, Erhai Moon.
Erhai Lake is Dali’s soul, 130 kilometers around. Rent an e-bike or bicycle, ride along the lake-loop road, see sunrise, see fields, see Bai villages. Shuanglang is the most beautiful town by Erhai, facing the lake, backed by Cangshan—a great place to space out.
Dali Ancient City has over 600 years of history, with city walls, city gates, and old streets well-preserved. Renmin Road is the ancient city’s most artsy street, lined with cafés, bars, and craft shops. Yangren Street is where foreign tourists gather, full of exotic atmosphere.
Cangshan Mountain has 19 peaks and 18 streams—you can take the cable car up to see sea of clouds, see azaleas, overlook Erhai panorama.
Best Experience: Stay overnight by Erhai, see sunrise and sunset. Find a café in the ancient city, space out all afternoon.
Lijiang: The Ancient Town’s Day and Night#
Lijiang Ancient Town is a World Cultural Heritage, “Oriental Venice.”
Sifang Street is the ancient town’s center, with flagstone paths, small bridges and flowing water, and Naxi architecture—every place is scenery. Mu Palace is the Naxi chieftain’s residence, “In the north, the Forbidden City; in the south, Mu Palace.” Lion Mountain offers a panoramic view of the ancient town—a great place to watch sunset.
At night, the ancient town is brilliantly lit, and bar street is extremely lively. Find a bar, listen to a folk song, drink a “Wind Flowers Snow Moon” beer, feel Lijiang’s night.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is Lijiang’s landmark, 5,596 meters above sea level, snow-capped year-round. Blue Moon Valley is a lake at the foot of the snow mountain, with azure water like a sapphire. Glacier Park allows close contact with snow mountain glaciers.
Best Experience: Wander the ancient town in the morning, avoid crowds. Listen to folk songs on bar street at night. Go up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, see glaciers and Blue Moon Valley.
Shangri-La: The Sun and Moon in the Heart#
Shangri-La is “the sun and moon in the heart,” paradise on earth.
Dukezong Ancient Town is China’s best-preserved Tibetan residential complex, with a giant prayer wheel standing on Guishan Mountain. Songzanlin Monastery is Yunnan’s largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, “Little Potala Palace.” Pudacuo National Park has alpine lakes, primeval forests, and meadow pastures—picturesque scenery.
Best Experience: Stay overnight in Dukezong Ancient Town, turn prayer wheels in the morning, feel the tranquility of Tibetan areas.
Xishuangbanna: Tropical Rainforest Mystery#
Xishuangbanna is China’s only tropical rainforest area, “Kingdom of Plants.”
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden is China’s largest botanical garden, with various exotic flowers and plants. Wild Elephant Valley allows you to see wild Asian elephants. Dai Garden allows you to experience Dai culture—most lively during Water Splashing Festival.
Gaozhuang Xishuangjing is Xishuangbanna’s liveliest place, with night markets, bars, and restaurants. Starlight Night Market is Asia’s largest night market, with various foods and handicrafts—shop until your legs give out.
Best Experience: Come to Xishuangbanna in winter to escape cold, eat at the night market, explore the tropical rainforest.
Special Experiences#
Yuanyang Rice Terraces#
Yuanyang Rice Terraces are the masterpiece of Hani people’s generations of cultivation, a World Cultural Heritage.
Rice terraces spiral from foothills to mountaintops, like mirrors reflecting blue sky and white clouds. Most beautiful in winter when filled with water—at sunrise and sunset, light and shadow change, dreamlike.
Lugu Lake#
Lugu Lake is the Mosuo people’s mother lake, “Oriental Kingdom of Daughters.”
The lake water is crystal clear—you can take a pig trough boat to tour the lake. Walking Marriage Bridge, Liwubi Island, and Goddess Bay—each place breathtakingly beautiful.
Yunnan Cuisine#
Yunnan cuisine is rich and diverse. Crossing-the-Bridge Noodles is Yunnan’s calling card, with rich soup and plenty of ingredients. Steam Pot Chicken is a Yunnan famous dish, with tender chicken and rich broth. Flower Cakes are a Yunnan specialty, with rose filling—sweet and fragrant. Wild Mushrooms are a Yunnan delicacy—matsutake, termite mushrooms, and porcini, fresh and fragrant.
Travel Tips#
- Transportation: Kunming is Yunnan’s transportation hub, with airport and high-speed rail. Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, and Xishuangbanna all have airports.
- Accommodation: In Dali, stay by Erhai or in the ancient city; in Lijiang, stay in the ancient city or Shuhe; in Shangri-La, stay in Dukezong Ancient Town.
- Note: Yunnan has strong UV radiation—watch for sun protection. High-altitude areas—watch for altitude sickness. Lijiang and Dali have many tourists—recommend off-peak visits.
Yunnan’s charm lies in its romance.
The wind, flowers, snow, and moon of Dali, the ancient town night scenery of Lijiang, the paradise on earth of Shangri-La, the tropical charm of Xishuangbanna… each place is poetry and distance.
Come to Yunnan and rediscover your romantic self.
Tomorrow, we head to Tibet to see the sacredness of Potala Palace and the majesty of Mount Everest.