China Travel 2.0

Some places in Yunnan you will not miss.
I have to say, 5 days is not enough for Yunnan tour. you see, Lijiang(the old town), Shangri-la(zhongdian), dali and Kunming and more. everywhere need your whole life living there. the sky the people, the snow mountain, the pure fresh air. you will love the places.

Dali:
Dali, a city of great antiquity, beckons the visitor in any season and is always a tempting destination for those interested in exploring fascinating natural scenery and the area’s considerable historical and cultural heritage. It is renowned as a land of wonders, both natural and manmade, inspiring in visitors a great appetite for its beauty.

Attractions in Dali City
If a shortlist of Dali’s attractions was to be drawn up, the ’silver Cangshan Mountains’ and the ‘jade Erhai Lake’ would top it. They are usually the firstchoice destinations for visitors.

1 Dali Ancient City
Composed of nineteen peaks lining up from north to south, the Mt. Cangshan, located to the west of Erhai Lake, have an average altitude of 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) with the tops perpetually covered in snow. Eighteen streams between the nineteen peaks of the mountain flow eastwards to the lake. The ear-shaped Erhai Lake is referred to as ‘a pearl on the plateau’ with an area of about 250 square kilometers (97 square miles). Every year in the Mid-autumn Festival, people living around the lake sail on the clear, green water and admire the golden moon reflectedin the lake. This is the most romantic place in Dali. The snow on the mountains and the bright moon above the lake symbolize the vows between lovers. The Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture Museum is near the Erhai Dock, which is a garden museum with strong local ethnic minority’s characteristics.

Running from north to south, the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake form one of the most enchanting sights to be seen in Dali. Proceeding northward from Xiaguan, Erhai Park, established in 1976, is the first stop along the way to Erhai Lake. It is located at the south end of the lake and provides a panoramic view of thearea. Thirteen kilometers (8 miles) north of Xiaguan, Dali Ancient City was first constructed in the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains. This simple and tranquil city is characterized by the dwellinghouses of the Bai Minority. It is a must-see destination in Dali, ranking as one of the most noted historical and cultural cities in china. Nearly all the specialities of Dali are available here. Huoguo Road, or Foreigner Street, is the central thoroughfare where most westerners assemble. Apart from the local foods and handicrafts that are available, plentiful cafes, bars and distinctive restaurants also attract visitors from both home and abroad.

Yan’s Compound, Xizhou
Several historical sites worth visiting are within easy reach of the ancient city, Dali Tai He City, 7 kilometers (4 miles) south of Dali Ancient City, still shows its style as the seat of the central regime of the Nanzhao State although it was deserted after the Ming Dynasty. One kilometer (0.6 miles) north of Dali city, the Three Pagodas at the site of Chongsheng Temple are classic Buddhist pagodas of the Tang Dynasty and are regarded as the symbol of Dali.

Eighteen kilometers (11 miles) north of Dali Ancient City is Xizhou Town. This was a crucial military area in the Nanzhao State and is characterized by several Bai ethnic architectural complexes, such as the Yan’s Compound ,and the Hou’s Compound. Zhoucheng Village is 23 kilometers (14 miles) north of Dali Ancient City. It was once the imperial garden of Dali State. As the largest natural village of Bai in Yunnan, it is famous not only for the Butterfly Spring, but also for its perfect preservation of Bai ethnic customs. Not far from Zhoucheng Village, Butterfly Spring lies at the foot of Yunnong Peak, the northernmost peak of the Cangshan Mountains. It is always a romantic place and the spring is a symbol of love’s loyalty.

Additionally, in the city, you can go to visit Dali Municipal Museum .Once named Marshal Mansion, it was originally home to Du Wenxiu well known for leading the Hui ethnic minority revolt against the Qing Dynasty in 1856.

Attractions around Dali City
Around Dali City, there are many other interesting destinations well worth visiting. For example, Jizu Mountain in the northeast of Binchuan County, Weibao Mountain in the southeast of Weishan County and Shibao Mountain in the southwest of Jianchuan County are all scenic areas with notable religious sites. Among them, the one hundred and thirty-nine stone Buddha statues in sixteen grottoes within the Shibao Mountain Scenic Area will intrigue any visitor who is interested in Buddhist artifacts. If time is not pressing, you can also go to visit Zhoucheng County,Dali. It is famed for the tie-dyeing. Tie-dyeing is a technology of printing flower patterns on cloth. As the name suggests, the process is divided into ‘tie’ and ‘dye’.

2 Lijiang Old Town
The Old Town of Lijiang, a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture, is a central town of the Lijiang Autonomous County of the Naxi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Province. Located on the plateau which is 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) above the sea level and embraced by the tree-covered Lion Mountain in the west, Elephant and Golden Row Mountains in the north, vast fertile fields in the southeast and crystal clear water running through, the old town looks like a big jade ink slab, therefore got the alias the Town of Big Ink Slab (Dayanzhen).
Lijiang Old Town
A Bird’s View of the Old Town, Lijiang

Square Street of Lijiang
Narrow Lanes in Lijiang
The Old Town which occupies an area of three point eight square kilometers (912 acres) was firstly built in the late Song Dynasty and the early Yuan Dynasty and has a history of more than 800 years. Since Kubla Khan who is the first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty set his reign here, Lijiang was on a fast developmental way and became the political, cultural, and educational center in this area, playing a very important role in the trading activities among Yunnan, China hinterland, Tibet, India and many other Asian countries. Till now, 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.

Lijiang Buildings
A Typical Courtyard of Naxi People
The Lijiang Old Town 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:

The Old Town is the only old city built without a city wall and there is an interesting story telling the reason. Lijiang had been under the reign of the hereditary Mu family for more than 500 years. If the Chinese character ‘Mu’ (represents the governor of Lijiang) is put into a frame (represents the city wall), you have the character ‘Kun’ which means ’siege’ or ‘predicament’. This would mean that the governing Mu family and their descendants would always be trapped like a rat in a hole. Because of this symbolism, Old Town Lijiang was never given a city wall.

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 the lanes are narrow and meandering. Naxi people pay much attention to the decoration, the commodious and applied houses are mostly timber and tile structure compound with a garden, each has engraved vivid figures of people and animals on doors and windows, beautiful flowers and trees in the garden.Living in such a beautiful and comfortable environment is a real pleasant thing.
Lijiang ethnic minority
Local Mosuo People

Lijiang locals
Lijiang Naxi People
The old Town of Lijiang is a city depends on water for existence and water is just like its blood. Black Dragon Pool (Heilongtan) is the main water source of the town and subdivides into many streams which can reach every family and every street in the town. Due to the reticular aqueducts, willow trees grow everywhere and there are almost 350 varied and inimitable bridges in the little town, some of which were built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The usage of the water created by the local people is very scientific. They build three mouths every well from the upriver to the downriver. The water in the first mouth is for edibility, the second one is for cleaning of the vegetables and fruits, and the last one is used to wash the clothes. The water not only meets the need of the dweller, but also gives the town a beauty of gentle. The town reputed as the ‘Oriental Venice’ and ‘Suzhou in Highland’, but it is much, much more than this. Once you have visited Old Town Lijiang, it will capture your heart for the rest of your life.

Lijiang Square Street
Shops along the Square Street, Lijiang
The center of the Old Town is the Square Street (Sifangjie). Four main streets radiate from Square Street and extend to the four different directions. Countless lanes extending in all directions form a network and connect every corner of the town. Streets in the Old Town are paved by the local bluestones which are neither muddy in the rainy season nor dusty in the dry season. The massive and fine-grained stones add a sense of antiquity and mystery to the Old Town. The sluice at the center of town is opened late in the night and the resulting current of water flushes and washes all the streets to keep the town clean. This practical use of water is part of the daily life of the residents in Old Town.

On December 3rd, 1997, the Old Town of Lijiang was put in the list of the World’s Relics by the World Cultural Heritage Commission of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). The charming Old Town is now a famous tourist attraction for its traditional ethnic culture and customs, inimitable buildings and the wonderful natural views.

3 Shangri-la
Shangri-La County is divided into two areas: Dukezong Ancient Town and a more modern city-like area. The two areas share Tuanjie Street as the common border. Dukezong, located in the southeast section of Shangri-La, has a history dating back over 1300 years. Almost all the buildings are white in color and feature the Tibetan style architecture. Upon arrival to old town, we recommend you take some time to relax before beginning your tour. A brief introduction to the scenic spots of Shangri-La follows.

Southeast Shangri-La
Main attractions: Wufeng Mountain, Baishui Tableland (White Water Terraces), Haba Snow Mountain and the Tiger Leaping Gorge

Located three kilometers (about 1.86 miles) southeast of Shangri-La, the Wufeng Mountain is revered as a sacred mountain by the local Tibetans. Since the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the grasslands at the foot of this mountain have been used for horse racing events.

If you proceed southeast fro m Shangri-La for about 101 kilometers (62.76 miles), you’ll arrive at another well-known attraction, the White Water Terraces. Theterraces are large limestone steps, built up over the years with calcium carbonatedeposited by spring waters which flow down the steps. You can take a bus fromthe Zhongdian Coach Bus Station to the White Water Terraces, or hire a car toget there.

The Haba Snow Mountain, a natural reserve of rare animals and plants, is about 120 kilometers (74.56 miles) southeast of Shangri-La. Both the mountain and theTiger Leaping Gorge are located along the Dianzang Road, on the way from Shangri-Lato Lijiang.

The north of Shangri-La
Main attractions: Songzanlin Monastery and Shangri-La Gorge Group

Songzanlin Monastery is five kilometers (3.11 miles) north of Shangri-La. Firstconstructed in 1679 during the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it embodies theessence of the Tibetan Buddhist culture, and its architecture exemplifies thefeatures of the Tibetan style. It’s the greatest monastery of Tibetan Buddhismin Yunnan Province. The city bus No.3 can take you there.

Songzanlin Monastery
The Shangri-La Gorge Group is located in the northern part of Shangri-La County. Comprised of a series of gorges, the Birang Gorge is certainly worth a visit. The Birang River flows through the steep gorge and the splashing water from thestrong current immerses the entire gorge in mist. There are many rock paintings on the cliffs of the gorge. Much research was done on the paintings and it wasdetermined that they were drawn by migrating ethnic groups in the ancient times. The gorge is on the way from Shangri-La to Xiangcheng County (in Sichuan), about 103 kilometers (64 miles) from Shangri-La. In the morning, there are buses to Xiangcheng that will let you off at the mouth of Shangri-La Gorge.

The northeast of Shangri-La
Main attractions: Bitahai Lake and Shudu Lake

Shudu Lake and Bitahai Lake are two of the more accessible lakes in northeastShangi-la. Located within 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of each other, legend says these “pearls of the land” are pieces of a mirror broken and scatteredby a fairy while she was fixing her makeup.

Tip: Although Bitahai Lake is only 32 km (19.88 miles) from Shangri-La, the bus will only take you as far as Shuangqiao. From there you can either hire a horseor walk to Bitahai Lake.

Shudu Lake
The northwest of Shangri-La
Main attraction: Napa Lake

Napa Lake is located eight kilometers (4.97 miles) northwest of Shangri-La. Severalrivers flow into the lake, including the Naizi and Naqu Rivers. The lake is seasonal in that it is dry in the fall and winter seasons, naturally becoming part of the Yila Prairie. During this time, visitors can see many sheep and cows grazingin the lake bed.

Tip: There are buses which take visitors to Napa Lake or you can take a taxi to get there.

Around Shangri-La
Known for the grandest view in Yunnan Province, Meili Snow Mountain boasts numerous snow-clad ridges and peaks. It is located 10 kilometers (6.2miles) northeast of Deqin County near Shangri-La.

Tags: dali, lijiang, Shangri-la, Yunnan