Adventure Awaits in Yunnan China’s Ultimate Wonder List
Searching for an experience that’s lively, eclectic, and blessed with breathtaking natural scenery? Visit Yunnan! This south-west province of China is endowed with richly diverse cultures, good cuisine, and landscapes that you won’t ever forget. Put the kettle on and have an infusion of tea – here are the must-see sites that you have to try in Yunnan.
Lijiang Old Town
Step into cobble alleys between old wood buildings of Lijiang Old Town, also a UNESCO World Heritage. Visit canals winding under willows, watch an energetic show of Naxi music, or step into glorious corridors of the Mufu Palace. Lion Hill offers the highest panoramic view of old town’s traditional rooftops backed by faraway mountains—at sunset, don’t miss.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
North of Lijiang, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain peaks into the ice and snow horizon. Take the cable car for views of the alps from 4,500 meters. Along Blue Moon Valley are blue lakes and streams, as pretty as the classic snowy scenery—a trekker haven, as for shutterbugs.
Kunming Stone Forest
Around 120 km from Kunming city hustle is the Stone Forest, an extraordinary karst nature marvel of shattered limestone pillars and peaks shaped over millions of centuries. It has ancient legends surrounding these enchanting rocks. Walk along the serpent-like trails between rocks nicknamed ‘Elephant’ and ‘Phoenix’ for an experience of being elsewhere. You can also have interactions around Sani ethnic village nearby, where you can share the great heritage of Yunnan.
Lake Erhai
Lake Erhai, nearby Dali, presents cool wind and cycling trails around its shimmering lakes. Watch fisherman cast traditional nets, or take boat rides for vistas of Cangshan Mountain being reflected across the lake. Scattered along the lakeshore are village settlements of the Bai minorities where close-up observation can be had of old structures, as well as where indigenous food can be tried.
Dali Ancient Town
Dali ancient town offers easy, boho chic with whitewashed buildings and views of mountains. Stroll along central Foreigner Street, wander around the Three Pagodas (mythical Buddhist temples), or have a cup of freshly-brewed coffee from an upstairs restaurant. There is also nightlife, unconventional boutiques, and that free spirit “I’m not leaving” kind of vibe around.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
One of Asia’s largest river canyons, Tiger Leaping Gorge is breathtaking, its vertical, dramatic slopes and foamy rapids. Hike steep, curving trails along vertical mountain slopes down along the rush of the Jinsha River. You can look down on mythic stone where, myth has it, a tiger leapt across the canyon at an overlook or two.
Shangri-La (Zhongdian)
Head north to Shangri-La, Tibet border city, cultural vulture and altitude junkie paradise. See 3,200-meter-tall Songzanlin Monastery, largest Tibetan Buddhist complex of Yunnan, for elaborate murals and peaceful praying halls. Handicraft malls line restored old town alleys, and there’re peaceful lakes and pretty vallées close by.
Yuanyang Rice Terraces
Dug out of south-Yunnan slopes by Hani minorities, Yuanyang terrace rice is the photographer’s paradise. Seen after harvest, when irrigated terrains accumulate the glow of dawn: an unearthly water-and-color mosaic. Visit between spring and winter to watch sophisticated irrigation underway, homage to old Hani techniques of engineering.
Shaxi Ancient Town
On ancient Tea Horse Road, Shaxi presents the traveler its market square of days of old Ming, stone bridges, and rural pace of life. As having once been a powerful trade station between Tibet and Yunnan, now it is ideal for a leisurely amble through the ages, through restored cinema, farm market, and streams that bubble along.
Lugu Lake
Famous for its cobalt-clear, blue, and mountain-forest-framed setting, Lugu Lake is also on the Sichuan-Yunnan border. It is home to matrilineal Mosuos. Visit by traditional canoe, explore lush trails on foot, or learn about Mosuo civilization—all of these are serene and unforgettable.
Meili Snow Mountain
Proudly rising above the cloud line of northwest Yunnan, Meili Snow Mountain (Kawagebo) is held in reverence by the Tibet people as equally as trekkers. See the “Sunshine Over Golden Mountain” on a crystal-clear morning as snow-capped peak is kissed by first light—the dawn magic you can take home.
