Dukezong Old Town

Dukezong Old Town was once the biggest and best-preserved Tibetan residents in China. It was the transportation hub of the Ancient Tea Route. It is located in Shangri-la county. It has a history of over 1300 years and a center of economy and culture among Tibet, Yunnan and Sishuan. Book a Yunnan Local Tour

The name Dukezong in Tibetan language has two meanings: one is a castle built on the rock, the other is moonlight city. When the old town was being built, they obtained raw material locally. There is a kind of white clay being used to paint the outer wall. Therefore, the residents paint all the outer walls in white. The style still remains today. In the night, the moonlight shines on the white walls, which makes the town more charming.

Unfortunately, a big fire swept the old town on January 11th, 2014. Though the fire was put out, over 100 houses were burnt down in the fire. About one third of the old town was in ruins, including the most flourishing part of the town, such as the Square Street. It is estimated that the fire cost a economic loss of over 100 million RMB.

Dukezong Old Town

Shangri-la Transport

Diqing Shangri-la Airport is located about 5 km from county town. There are flights from Kunming, Chengdu, Lhasa, Chongqing, Beijing and Guangzhou to Shangri-la. Some of the flights may not available everyday. Book a Flight Ticket

Airport transport

The Airport is near the downtown. Taxis are available between the airport and county town.

Long-distance buses

Train is not available. Long-distance bus has become the major transport means between Shangri-la and other places.

There are buses between Shangrila and Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, Panzhihua(Sichuan), Daocheng(Sichuan), Lhasa, Deqin.

Note: The weather is changeable in rainy seasons especially in July and August. The bus schedule may be changed or cancelled. It is advised to inquire in advance.

For attractions in Shangri-la

Pudacuo National Park  There are buses available from Shangri-la Bus Station. Depart at 9:30 at the bus station and return from Pudacuo at 15:00. The bus schedule may change, please consult the bus station.

Songzanlin Lamasery(Ganden Sumtseling Lamasery) is located in the downtown. Public bus is available.

For other attractions, it is best to rent a car. It will save a lot of time and more flexible. If you would like a local tour, please inquire us.

 

 

Shangri-la Transport

Walking on the Cloud- Experience the Longest Glass Bridge in Yunyang

Cloud Bridge, the longest glass bridge in the world, has open to the public since April 26th, 2015.

The bridge was built in Yunyang Longgang National Geological Park, which is located in Chongqing, China. The park is famous for its unique mountains and oddly-shaped rocks, which is a typical Karst landscape.

The glass bridge is built on a cliff of 1010 meters’ altitude. It is 26.68 meters’ long, which is even 5 meters longer than the bridge in the Grand Canyon of America. There is not any shade or support under the glass bridge. It is earthquake-resistant up to 8 on the Richter scale.

 

Tourists could have a bird’s eye view of the amazing landscape below through the transparent glass. It is just like walking on the cloud. If you would like a local tour, please inquire us.

Other famous glass bridges in China are in Tianmen Mountain of Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, Fenghuang Mountain of Dandong, Liaoning Province and Baishi Mountain(White Stone Mountain) of Baoding,Hebei Province.

Walking on the Cloud- Experience the Longest Glass Bridge in Yunyang

Ganden Sumtseling Lamasery

Ganden Sumtseling Lamasery (Songzanlin Lamasery) is located in Diqing, Yunnan Province. It is the biggest Tibetan Buddhism temple in Yunnan. The outlook and layout of the lamasery is a lot like the Potala Palace in Lhasa. It is also called Little Potala Palace. Emperor Yongzheng gave the lamasery the name “Guihua”.

The Lamasery was built in the year of 1679. It was built along the hillside and looks like a castle. It is a model of Tibetan art, bearing a reputation of “Tibetan Art Museum”.

Ticket fare CNY115

Opening hours: 7:30~18:30

How to get there

Take a No.3 Bus from Shangri-La County.

How to get there

There are public buses available in Shangri-la county.

Take a taxi. It may cost about CNY10.

If you plan to rent a car to Meili Snow Mountain, then the lamasery is on the way to Meili Snow Mountain.

Ganden Sumtseling Lamasery

Pudacuo National Park

Pudacuo National Park covers an area of 300 square kilometers and the natural landscape is well preserved. The park is a major part of Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, which is inscribed in the World Heritage List. Pudacuo is made up of two parts, which are Bita Lake and Dushu Lake. The altitude of the scenic area is between 3500 meters and 4159 meters.  Pudacuo National Park covers almost all the plateau landscape. There are lakes as clear as glass, lush grass and beautiful flowers everywhere and animals in forests. Whoever come here will be impressed by its amazing landscape. It is a must-see attraction in Shangri-la.

The best time to visit Shangri-La is from May to October. In late May and June, the rhododendrons be in full bloom all over the mountains and plains. There will be a sea of flowers. In autumn, tourists will enjoy picturesque scenery. Book a Yunnan Local Tour

Ticket fare: CNY258 including entrance fee CNY138 and tourist bus fee CNY120

Opening hours: 8:00-16:00 from November to March next year

8:00-17:00 from April to October

How to get there

There are buses available from Shangri-la Bus Station. Depart at 9:30 at the bus station and return from Pudacuo at 15:00. The bus schedule may change, please consult the bus station.

Some tourists would like to rent a car for a round trip. It is more flexible.

Pudacuo National Park

The First Bend of Yangtze River

The First Bend of the Yangstze River is located between Shasongbi Village in Shangri-la County and Shigu Town in Lijiang. It has an altitude of 1850 meters. The Yangtze River runs all the way down from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau to Yunnan, going through the mountains and valleys, then make a sudden turn of over 100 degrees to northeast at Shasongbi Village, forming a “Ω” shape. People call this spectacle “the First Bend of Yangtze River”.
Book a Local Tour

Shigu Town, literally means “Stone Drum”, is one of the most famous historic towns in China. It is a place of important military significance. There is a stone stele memorizing the Long March of Red Army on a small hill. It is also the perfect place to have a bird’s eye view of the First Bend of Yangtze River.

How to get there

The First Bend of Yangtze River is located on the way between Lijiang and Shangri-la. It is advised to visit the place together with Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is only half an hours’ drive from Tiger Leaping Gorge. It’s best to rent a car to visit these attractions.

For tourists in Lijiang, there are buses available from Lijiang Bus Station to Shigu Town.

 

The First Bend of Yangtze River

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest gorge in China. It is located in Shangri-la County, Diqing Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. Legend says that a fierce tiger sprang down from the top of the mountain and got across the gorge with an easy jump on a huge stone. This is where the name came from.

Tiger Leaping Gorge is famous for its dangerously steep and ruggedness. The gorge can be divided into three parts: the upper part, the middle part and the lower part. The narrowest part of the river is only 30 meters. Yulong Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain standing on both sides of the river makes a 3900 meters’ difference in altitude. The temperature differs a lot between day and night. The best time to come here is from April to June and September to October. It is rainy season from from June to September. Book a Local Tour

How to get there

Buses are available from Shangri-la long-distance bus station and Lijiang long-distance bus station to Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Though the Tiger Leaping Gorge is located in Diqing County. However, it is not far from Lijiang. Some tourists who would like to visit Shangri-la from Lijiang could rent a car and stop by at Tiger Leaping Gorge. The scenic area is one the way of Lijiang to Shangri-la.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Lijiang Old Town

Also called Dayan Old Town, Lijiang Old Town has been a popular tourist destination ever since. he history of the old town dates back to 800 years ago. The town was first built in the 13th century AD during Song Dynasty. It is famous for its relaxed atmosphere. Many people would like to take a few days there, relax and have fun.

Water Wheel is a place you cannot miss. It is a landmark in north of the town. In ancient China, people use it to get water from the river and then water the farm. Not far from the water wheel, there is a big rack hanging with plenty of camel bells. It is a pretty good place to take photos. Book a Lijiang Local Tour

Lijiang Old Town is located in the northwest part of Yunnan Province. The town is set in a beautiful valley, sheltered by rugged mountains. It is little touched by modern civilizations and regarded as China’s Shangri-la as it is an equivalent to the Western paradise on Earth. Today, it has become the destination of travelers from all parts of the world since it joined the UNESCO world heritage list in 1997. Lijiang is divided into the old town and the new town. They are as different as day and night. The division line is Lion Hill, the bump in the middle of the town. On the east side of Lion Hill is old Lijiang, which is truly attractive to visitors. It is a delightful maze of traditional Naxi shop houses, cobbled lanes, crisscross canals and arched bridges.

On the main entrance of the old town is a large wooden water-wheel, spun by the Yu River, which flows south along the edge of Lion Hill. The shopping distinct is tiny, with twisting lanes, they are filled with shops. Parrots and plants adorn the front porches. There are large displays of bright copper pots, plates and pans, all hammered out by hand. Small stores sell local embroideries and Naxi traditional clothes. The old town has a region of small family-operated restaurants, catering to the fantasies of the visitors. The local specialty is baba Naxi sandwich. It is thick flat bread made of wheat, stuffed with meat, vegetable or sweets.

Stone-bed streams and canals run through the town and are bridged by the stones. People sit on these stone bridges, restful and friendly, telling their tales and eating their favorite food. It is the local people of Lijiang that make the old town unique. Lijiang presents very special music. the chief entertainment at night in the old town is traditional Naxi music in the old buildings. All the performers are of Naxi minority. There are usually 24 players in the group. Some of them are aged. They play Taoist temple music, which has long been lost elsewhere in China. They use special instruments. Sitting there, listening to the Naxi music, you will be lost in this China’s Shangri-la.

According to the announcement of UNESCO in June,2012, the area of Lijiang Old Town has enlarged from 3.8 square kilometers to 7.279 square kilometers. The whole old town stretches to Jin’an Street in the east, Xianghe Road in the south, Minzhu Road in the west and Elephant Hill in the north.

Lijiang Old Town

Napahai Lake

Napahai is a seasonal lake and grasslands. The name literally means “lake behind the forest”. The scenic area has an altitude of 3266 meters. The lake covers an area of 660 square kilometers. It is the ideal habitat of black-necked crane. It has a landscape of seasonal lake and grasslands. It is best to visit the scenic area between June and November. At that time, the lake is beautiful with plenty of water and lush grass and there are sheep and cattle everywhere on the grassland. In winter and spring, the lake surface will shrink and turn into marsh. It is a good place to ride a horse. Book a Yunnan Local Tour

Ticket fare: CNY60

Opening hours: 8:30-18:00

Napahai Lake

Xishuangbanna Travel

Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture is located in the south of Yunnan Province. It is famous for its tropical climate, biodiversity, rain forest and Buddhism. It has always been a very popular tourist destination ever since. Book a Local Tour

Specialty in Xishuangbanna

Water-splashing Festival

Water-splashing Festival is the traditional festival of Dai minority, which is celebrated in April every year. It lasts three days from April 13th to 15th. The sprinkling Festival is the new year of Dai minority. During the Water-Splashing Festival, Dai people sprinkle water to each other to celebrate the New Year. Going to Xishuangbanna for the Water-splashing Festival has been an attractive tourism activity.There are many legends about the Water-sprinkling Festival.

Buddhism atmosphere

Most people in Xishuangbanna believe in Buddhism. There are Buddhist temples and pagodas in almost every village. It is said that there are over 550 temples and 150 pagodas in Xishuangbanna.

Primitive singing and dancing

People living here are all good at singing and dancing. There are variety kinds of dances, such as Peacock Dance, Drum Dance, Bamboo Dance and etc. Each of the dances has specific features of its own.

Attractions in Xishuangbanna

Wild Elephant Valley

Wild Elephant Valley is located in the north edge of Mengyang Natural Reserve. The scenic area covers an area of nearly 10 thousand square kilometers. There are animal watchng area, forest adventure area, butterfly farm and etc. The landscape of

tropical rain forest is rarely seen in China. There is a 4000-meter walkway reaching through the rain forest, which is place for tourists to get close to nature.

Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden

Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden is the biggest botanical garden in China. Local people also call it Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden. The botanical garden was built on the islet called Hulu Islet. There are a lot of tropical plants and flowers in the garden.

Getting Xishuangbanna and Away

There is no train available in Xishuangbanna. Therefore, taking a plane is the major means to get to Xishuangbanna. Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport is located in the southwest of Jinghong City. Jinghong is the capital city of Xishaungbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture. Tourists who would like to travel in Xishuangbanna usually arrive at Jinghong first. For now, there are 16 domestic airlines and 2 international airlines available. Book a Flight Ticket

Long-distance bus

There are long-distance buses available between Kunming and Xishuangbanna everyday. It takes about 6~8 hours single trip. Ticket fare is about CNY200.

Local transportation

Taxi

Jinghong is not a big city. The initial fare is CNY5 and CNY7 in the night.

Public bus

Buses are available for most of the attractions in Jinghong.

 

Xishuangbanna Travel

Yuanmou Earth Forest

Tulin, literally means earth forest, is a natural landscape composed of earth columns or pillars forming like immense forest. The unique landscape was formed by geological movement and soil erosion one or two million years ago. It is named for its shape like immense and the main composition of the expansion earth.There are three scenic areas, which are Wumao Earth Forest, Langbapu Earth Forest and Banguo Earth Forest. Wumao and Langbapu have been developed as scenic areas. Yuanmou Earth Forest has been more and more popular these years.

Entrance Ticket

Wumao Earth Forest: CNY80

Langbapu Earth Forest: CNY70

Through ticket for both Wumao and Langbapu Earth Forest: CNY100

How to get to Yuanmou from Kunming

Trains are available from Kunming to Yuanmou. It takes about 3 or 4 hours in a fast train.

Long-distance buses are available departing from Kunming Northwest Bus Station.

How to get to the attractions

There are buses from Yuanmou Bus Station to the earth forest. It is very convenient to get to Wumao Earth Forest. There are several buses travelling between Wumao Earth Forest and the bus station. However, there are only one or two buses travelling the station to Langbapu Earth Forest.

Another way to visit these attraction is to rent a car and the driver will drive you there. If you would like to visit both of the earth forests in one day, it’s best to rent a car. The best time to photograph is in afternoon, maybe after 4 pm.

Note:

The sunlight is strong there, don’t forget to use sunscreen cream.

The temperature varies greatly between day and night. The temperature of Yuanmou is usually higher than in Kunming.

The scenic area is large. Follow the route for tourists.

Bring enough water because the air is dry in the area. There are few food stores in the scenic area.

Yuanmou Earth Forest

Shuanglang

Shuanglang is a small county located in the northeast of Dali. It is surrounded on three sides by mountain and one side by Erhai Lake. There is a curve bay of 7 kilometers in the north called Lotus Curve and another one of 5 kilometers in the south called Luoshi Curve. The two bays look like two corridors. This is why it is called double corridors, which is Shuanglang in Chinese pinyin. Situated beside a river at the foot of a mountain, no wonder Shuanglang has attracted more and more visitors with its beautiful scenery.

There is no severe hot weather or cold weather. It is a good place to take a vacation and enjoy oneself. Tourists usually visit Shuanglang together with other attractions in Dali such as Dali Old Town, Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery, Xizhou and Zhoucheng.

How to get to Shuanglang

From Dali downtown: take a bus from Xiaguan North Bus Station.

From Dali Old Town: take a bus from Dali Road in the east of old town.

Tourist could also rent a car from Dali Old Town to Shuanglang and it cost about CNY100~150.

Shuanglang

Zhoucheng

Zhoucheng is located 23 kilometers north of Dali Old Town. It is the biggest natural village in Yunnan, which covers an area of 4.7 square kilometers and have a population of over 8000 persons. Almost all the people belong to Bai Minority. Most residents in Zhoucheng believe in Buddhism. There are Buddhism in the village such as Yinxiang Temple, Longquan Temple and etc.

The village is known as “the home of tie-dye”. Tie-dye is a means of dyeing cloth. First, draw a pattern on a white and then uses stitching, ties and clinches to cover painting which is the part that needn’t to be dyed. And then dye several times in the dye vat filled with natural colorant. And then dry the cloth and remove the thread.

Bus are available from Dali Bus Station to Zhoucheng.

 

Zhoucheng

Xizhou

Xizhou town is located in the north of Dali City. The history of Xizhou dates back to over one thousand years ago. There are over one hundred buildings of Bai People built in Ming, Qing Dynasty and the Republic Period. It is a living museum of local

architecture in classically elegant styles. The carvings and decoration on the eaves, doors and windows are exquisite.

Yan’ Compound is a must for tourists visit Xizhou. It was built in the year of 1919. It covers an area of 2478 square kilometers. It is made up of 4 courtyards together as a whole.

The Bai houses are very distinctive. Entering Xizhou, capacious courtyard and peaceful streets treat visitors with calmness and elegance which were typical in the ancient times. The Yan’s compound lies in the central part of Xizhou. It is made up of five courtyards from north to south, including Sanfangyizhaobi (compounds with three houses on each side and a screen wall facing the main house), Sihewutianjing (compounds with four houses in the center and five light wells in each corner) and an independent three-storied western-style building. Each of the houses puts great emphasis on designing the front gate of the compound, because it shows the owner’s economic status and also is the symbol of bringing honor to his ancestor. Doors, windows and walls are designed delicately and beautifully. The doors and windows are engraved with the figures ofdifferent birds and flowers. The walls are decorated with wash paintings. All of these reveal the superb skills and creative talents of the Bai Nationality.

Besides visiting the Bai-style architectures, visitors also have chances to touch the living styles of the local people, taste their special food, and drink their unique tea. “Three Courses of Tea” is very dainty; it’s different from other Chinese tea. The first course smells a little bitter; the second course is a bit sweet (adding candy and walnut pieces in it); and the third course is memorable (with condiments in it). Maybe you have drunk black tea, green tea, jasmine tea or other kinds of Chinese tea, but “three courses of tea” gives you a different feel. It’s just like life, bitter first and sweet later. You must taste slowly. Meanwhile, when you taste the tea, you can also enjoy the Bai’s singing and dancing performances, and take part in some local evenings and activities. In the day-time, you can go to the commercial center to buy what you want, such as marble wares, which enjoy great popularity among the visitors.

The Bai is a minority reveling in art. The Yan’s compound stands for the Bai’s traditional residential characteristics and is a combination of Chinese and western architectural style. In 1987, it was announced by the State Council to be one of the third group of State Monuments.

 

Xizhou

Kunming Transportation

Kunming is not only the capital of Yunnan Province but also the transportation hub of West China. It is very easy to travel to Kunming. Both flights and trains are available.

Getting Kunming and Away

By Air

Kunming Changshui International Airport is the aviation hub of Yunnan Province. It is located in the northeast of Kunming, which is 24.5km away from the downtown. Flights are available between Kunming and many major cities in China as well as many foreign cities in Asia. The airport covers an area of 23 square kilometers. Book a Flight Ticket

How to get there

1.Take Subway Line 6 and get off at Kunming Airport.

2.Konggang airport bus line 1~6 (The lines can be vice versa) View detail

Line 1 Xiyi Hotel-Xinying Residential Area-Kunming Changshui Airport

Line 2 Wujiaba Airport-Jingjinjiang Hotel-Jialuda Hotel-Xinying Residential Area-Kunming Changshui Airport

Line 3 Linyu Road-Beichen Fortune Center-World Expo-Kunming Changshui Airport

Line 4 New Luoshiwan South Bus Station-Kunming Changshui Airport

Line 5 Dianchi Hotel-Haigeng Holiday Resort-Dashanghui-Changshui International Airport

Line 6 Kunming Changshui Airport-Kunming Hotel

3.Taxi

4.Public Bus No.919 Line A,B,C Ticket fare CNY13

By Train

Kunming Train Station is located at the end of Beijing Road, Guandu District. Trains are available between Kunming and most major cities in China, such as Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and etc. Trains between Kunming and Dali, Lijiang are also available. Book a Train Ticket

Click here to view detail information of trains from Kunming to Dali and Kunming to Lijiang.

Local Transportation

Public bus

The ticket fare of the public bus is CNY1-2. Tourist bus A1 covers most of the attractions in Kunming.

Taxi

CNY8 for the first 3km, CNY1.8 per km in the daytime, additional 20 percent charge per km in the night. Additional CNY3 for fuel surcharge.

Subway

Subway Line 1,2 and 6 have been available. The ticket price is calculated according to the distance the passenger have traveled.

 

Kunming Transportation

Three Pagodas of the Chongsheng Monastery

Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery is located at the foot of Yingle Summit of Cangshan Hill. The pagodas were first built in Chongsheng Monastery in Nanzhao Period(824~859A.D.) The three pagodas are made up of one big pagodas and two small pagodas. The monastery was destroyed in Qing Dynasty. Luckily, the pagodas were well protected. They survived over 30 earthquaks, including two big earthquakes in Ming Dynasty and Republic Period. Book a Local Tour

The middle pagoda, Qianxun Pagoda, 69.13 meters (227 feet) high, is one of the highest pagodas of the Tang Dynasty (618Ł­907), while the other lower two stand to the north and south sides of it. Qianxun Pagoda, now empty, previously could be climbed by ladder from the inside. However the ladder is now broken, and travelers now have no opportunity to climb up. Three Pagodas, Zhaozhou Bridge of Hebei Province, and Big Wild Goose 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 that have been excavated at the site provide significant data for exploring the history, religion, and art of the area. Today, travelers can visit Three Pagodas at night, when it is illuminated providing a fantastic scene. Nearby on the ‘marble street’ there are many folk-craft workshops and stands specializing in marble and brick-painting.

Three Pagodas of the Chongsheng Monastery

Stone Forest

The Stone Forest is a must-see attraction for tourists whoever come to Kunming. It is a set of limestone formations, which is a typical Karst landscape. As the name suggests, the scenic area is really a forest of stones. The stones are all oddly-shaped. They looks like horses, peacocks, phoenix and etc.

A stone named Ashima is perhaps the most famous stone in the scenic area. There is a love story coming down to the ages. A beautiful girl called Ashima was born in a poor family. When she grows up, she is very good at singing and dancing. Everyone likes her. Ahei’s parents died when he was 12. He was saved by Ashima when he is lost in the wild. After that, he had been lived with Ashima’s family ever since. He is honest and brave. Ashima and Ahei grow up together and fall in love with each other. One day, a rich but bad guy named Azhi met Ashima on the street and he want to use his money to talk her into marrying him. However, Ashima doesn’t like him and do not care about money at all. Azhi was furious and then he prisoned Ashima in purpose of forcing Ashima to marry him. Ahei heared that and went to save her. The family of Azhi tried everything to stop him. Ashima was saved. Azhi was holding grudge against Ashima and Ahei. He colluded with Cliff Fairy to make the river flood. Unfortunately, Ashima was washed away by the floods. Ahei tried hard to find her, but never made it. He shouted and shouted. “Ashima! Ashima!”No one replied. Ashima turned into a stone. Whoever shout to her,she will reply the same.

Ticket fare: CNY175

How to get there

First get to Kunming East Bus Station, and then bought a ticket from Kunming to Stone Forest Scenic Site. It takes about 1.5 hours to get there.

Or take a train from Kunming to Shilin. About 2 hours’ride. And then take a bus or a carriage to the scenic area.

Stone Forest

Kunming Travel

Known as the City of Eternal Spring, Kunming is at an almost-tropical latitude but with a 2000 m (6600 ft) altitude, which gives it a very temperate climate. In recent years, locals have said Kunming’s winters are becoming colder and colder. The air is also quite clean compared to other Chinese cities, even though the traffic-congested streets still emit more than their fair share of pollution. However temperate it may be, in winter it has been known to snow, so if visiting in December-February, pack warm. When it rains – it’s cold. In addition to its own charms it serves as a hub from which to explore Yunnan Province. The population of the prefecture of Kunming is now close to 10 million and the city is expanding rapidly, with numerous highways and modern buildings. The city has air pollution problem. Book a Kunming Tour

Attractions in Kunming

Stone Forest

Stone Forest is the most famous attraction in Kunming. It is a set of limestone formations, which is a typical Karst landscape. Listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO, it has become a must-visit attraction in Kunming. It is about one hour’ drive from the downtown. >>more

Yuantong Temple

Yuantong Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temple in Kunming. It has a history of over 1200 years. It was first built in Tang Dynasty, extended in Yuan and Ming Dynasty and restored in Qing Dynasty.

Golden Horse and Phoenix Archway

Golden Horse and Phoenix Archway is a pair of archways located in the center of Kunming. One is called Golden Horse and the other is called Phoenix. It was built 400 years ago in Ming Dynasty. It has become a landmark of Kunming. The lights on the archway will be on in the evening. It is very beautiful in the night.

Recommended local tours:

2-day Kunming Tour (without hotel), from $270
3 Days Kunming Spring City-Jiuxiang Cave and Stone Forest Tour, from $210

Kunming Hotel

As a famous tourist city, there are a lot of hotels of different star-rates available. Book a Hotel

Kunming Transportation

Kunming is not only the capital of Yunnan Province but also the transportation hub of West China. Flights are available between Kunming and many major cities in China as well as many foreign cities in Asia. Book a Flight Ticket

Trains are available between Kunming and most major cities in China. However, the railway system within the province is not well-developed because of the mountainous landscape. Luckily, for the most famous Dali and Lijiang, there are trains available. Book a Train Ticket

 

Kunming Travel

Lugu Lake

Located at the boundary of Yunnan Province and Sichuan Province, Lugu Lake is just like a crystal diamond hidden in the

mountains.  It is 2690 meters above the sea level, also known as the pearl of the plateau.

Mosuo is a branch of Naxi People. One thing people fancy about this place it is not only because the beautiful landscape, but the unique culture of marriage, which is called walking marriage or visiting marriage.  Walking Marriage is a tradition of Mosuo people. When a man and a women are in a long-term relationship, it can be regarded that they are in a walking marriage. However, they do not live together or make up a new family as normal couples do. They still live with each one’s family. They usually meet each other at night. When they have children, the children will be raised by the mother’s family, not the father’s. The father will raise his sisters’ children.

Lugu Lake is about six hours’ drive from Lijiang. There is no train or airport at Lugu Lake for now. Luckily, an airport is being built at the moment. It may be come into operation in the year of 2015. There are buses travelling between Lijiang and Lugu Lake everyday, usually depart in the morning and arrive in the afternoon. The ticket fare is CNY100 for a one-way ticket and CNY200 for a round ticket. 

There are usually three ways to go sightseeing at the lake.

1. Rent a car. There is a road around the lake. You can enjoy the scenery along the way and stop for every scenic spot.

2. Rent a electric motor car or bicycle. Travel around the lake by yourself.

3. Hike around the lake.  It is about 76 km around the lake. If you hike around the lake, you should spare at least 2 days for the hiking.

 

Lugu Lake

Lijiang Attractions

Lijiang Old Town, the most famous place in Lijiang, is a must-see place for whoever come to Lijiang. In fact, there is a lot to explore in the city. The following is an introduction of attractions in Lijiang.

Lijiang Old Town	Shuhe Old Town
Lijiang Old Town, inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1997, is an ancient town built nearly 1000 years ago. It is a place to get to know local culture and enjoy life. >>more	Shuhe Old Town has become more and more popular these years. Unlike Lijiang, Shuhe is more quiet and less commercial. >>more

 

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain	Lugu lake
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 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.	Located at the boundary of Yunnan Province and Sichuan Province, Lugu Lake is just like a crystal diamond hidden in the mountains.  It is 2690 meters above the sea level, also known as the pearl of the plateau.

 

Square Street	Wangu Pavilion
Square Street is located in the center of Lijiang Old Town. It was the transportation hub and an important market in ancient times.	Wangu Pavilion is a landmark of Lijiang. It is located on the high point of Lion Hill, where people could have a bird’s eye view of Lijiang Old Town.

 

Baisha Village & Murals	Black Dragon Pool
Located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Village is a traditional Naxi inhabitant. Baisha Mural is the most famous attraction.	Black Dragon Pool is beautiful place to go sightseeing. The scenery is very beautiful.

 

Former Residence of Joseph Rock	Dongba Culture Museum
Joseph Rock was an Austrian-American explorer, geographer, linguist and botanist. From 1922 to 1949, he spent most of his time studying the flora, peoples and languages of southwest China, mainly in Yunnan, Sichuan, southwest Gansu and eastern Tibet. He lived in Lijiang for 27 years.	Dongba Culture Museum is a museum of Dongba culture of Naxi People. It is a good place to learn about local culture.

Book a Lijiang Tour

Lijiang Attractions

Lijiang Travel

Lijiang is located in the northwest of Yunnan Province. It is located in the conjunction of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The average temperature of the year is 12.6℃~19.8℃. The hottest month is 18.1~25.7℃ and the coldest month is 4~11.7℃. There is no severe weather in Lijiang. The year of Lijiang can be divided into dry season and rainy season. Rainy season lasts from May to October. It rains a lot in July and August.

The city is famous for its ancient town – Lijiang Old Town, which is inscribed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in the year of 1997. Lijiang Old Town, also known as Dayan Old Town, is one of the best preserved ancient towns in China. The town was first built in the end of Song Dynasty and the beginning of Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century. It has a history of nearly one thousand years. The old town has become a popular tourist destination ever since.

Attractions in Lijiang

Lijiang Old Town	Jade Dragon SnowMountain	Lugu Lake

 

Shuhe Old Town	Baisha Village & Murals	Wangu Pavilion

Recommended Lijiang local tours:
1 Day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tour, from $173
1 Day Lijiang City and the Ancient Culture Tour, from $95
4 Days 3 nights Lijiang tour(Lijiang,Baisha,Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lugu Lake), from $633
8 Days Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Shangri-la Essence Tour, from$1572           >>more local tours

Getting Lijiang and Away

Flights and trains are available in Lijiang.

Lijiang Sanyi Airport is located 28 kilometers south of Lijiang downtown. There have been flights available between Lijiang and Kunming, Banna, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Guiyang and etc.

Airport buses are available between the airport and the downtown. Tourists who would like to arrive at Lijiang Old Town could take a taxi directly from the airport , costing about CNY100.
Book a Flight Ticket

Lijiang Train Station is located in the south of Lijiang downtown. Trains are available between Lijiang and Kunming, Dali, Qujing. Therefore, most tourists would like to arrive at Kunming first and then take a train from Kunming to Lijiang. There are 6 trains available between Kunming and Lijiang. Book a Train Ticket

Long-distance bus

Long-distance buses are available between Lijiang and Kunming, Shangri-La, Chengdu, Xichang, Zhongdian, Deqin, Panzhihua and etc.

Local transportation

Taxi

The starting price is CNY7. Usually, it is enough for the downtown. However, most taxis do not run meters. Therefore, it’s best to make a deal before getting on the taxi.

Public bus

Ticket fare: CNY1

Lijiang Food

Lijiang food is mainly based on Naxi cuisine. There are also many restaurants of Sichuan flavour. Square Street is the most famous street with many kinds of snacks. Baba is a kind of cake made from flour, ham and sugar or salt. Bean jelly mixed with pepper and vinegar is also a popular food. Rice noodle, a local snack in Yunnan, is a must for whoever come to Yunnan. Hot pot is also a good choice and there are several kinds of chicken, pork ribs, mutton etc.

Lijiang Hotel

As a popular tourist destination, there are a lot of hotels of different star-rates. Book a Lijiang hotel

 

Lijiang Travel

Yunnan Travel

Yunnan, home of 25 minority groups, is a province alive with colorful cultures and traditions. Its landscape is unique-a blend of majestic mountains and dense virgin forests. It is located in the Southwest China, which covers an total area of 390,000 square kilometers. The climate is mild in most parts of Yunnan, which makes it an ideal place to travel to at any time of the year.

Yunnan is well-known for its breath-taking scenery. Ninety-four percent of the province is covered by mountains which are dotted with green woods and fragrant wild flowers. More than 600 rivers run through Yunnan, such as Jinsha River, Lancang River, Nujiang River and so on. And between these rivers lie morn than 30 lakes, most of them surrounded by majestic mountains. People who come here can also enjoy the terraces, old towns, volcano, forests, grasslands and etc. The land is totally a masterpiece of nature. The following are a few destinations which represent the essence of Yunnan. Book a Yunnan Tour

Kunming

Dali

Lijiang

Shangri-La

Yuanyang

Xishuangbanna

Recommended Yunnan local tours:
4 Days 3 Nights Lijiang tour
7 Days Tour (Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Shangri-la)
11 Days tour (Kunming-Yuanyang-Jianshui-Dali-Lijiang-Shangrila)

Book a Yunnan Tour Book a Flight Ticket Book a Train Ticket Book a Hotel

Yunnan Travel

Jianshui Old Town

Jianshui Old Town is located in Honghe Autonomous Prefecture, south of Yunnan Province. There were evidences of human’s action of Paleolithic age found in this place. The city was first built back to Yuanhe Period in Tang Dynasty (806~820A.D.). It was once the location of government office of Lin’an in Ming and Qing Dynasty. It has been the center of politics, military, economy and culture since Yuan Dynasty in South Yunnan.

There are 135 historic relics in Jianshui. The Confucius Temple in Jianshui is the second biggest one in China. The local residences are well preserved. Zhu’ Garden is a large scale of local buildings of Qing Dynasty. It covers an area of over 20 thousand square meters. The layout of the houses is well organized. The elaborate eaves and wooden windows with exquisite carving shows the local style of house building.

Swallow Cave is famous for its scenery and swallows. It is located 28km east of Jianshui Old Town. The cave is over 4000 meters long. The opening of the cave is 50 meters’ high and 30 meters’ wide. Every year, between spring and summer, there are over one hundred thousand swifts from Malaysia and Indonesia will fly here nesting and hatching. The cave is also a Karst cave with many stalactites of different shapes. Another feature of the cave is that there is an underground river in the cave. It is really worth visiting.

How to get there

There are 4 trains available from Kunming to Jianshui, departing at 7:52, 9:32, 12:45, 15:45. It takes 3h~3h30min to travel from Kunming Train Station to Jianshui Train Station. Ticket fare from CNY43.5.
Book a Train Ticket

Long-distance buses are also available from Kunming North Bus Station to Jianshui Bus Station. Running hours from 7:30 to 20:30. Depart every 30 minutes. It takes about 4 hours to arrive at Jianshui.

 

Jianshui Old Town

Yuanyang Hani Terraced Field

Yuanyang Hani Terraced Field is a masterpiece of man-made work combined with nature. The history of Hani people using a terrace field for farming can dates back to over one thousand years ago. The field we see now is the work of several generations. There are three major scenic spots in the area, which are Duoyi Tree, Bada and Tiger Mouth. It costs CNY 100 for a through ticket including these three scenic areas. It is recommended to stay overnight in Xinjiezhen(新街镇) or hotels near the scenic area. Book a Yuanyang Tour

The terraces present different views in different seasons. From November to March, the terrace fields will be filled with water. When the sunlight shines on the water, the terrace will be very beautiful. From April to September, there will be green paddy rice all over the field. In late September and early October, the rice fields ripe and turn yellow.

A terraced field is a piece of sloped plane that has been cut into a series of successively receding flat surfaces or platforms, which resemble steps, for the purposes of more effective farming. It is a typical landscape in South China. Some of them have been developed as tourist sites. People whoever have visited the terrace are impressed by its unique and magnificent landscape.

Yuanyang is located on the Tropic of Cancer. The climate is good. The average temperature is 16.4℃ and it varies greatly between day and night. The sunlight is strong at noon. For tourists who visit Yuanyang in January and February, it is advised to prepare some warm clothes.

There are 4 major scenic spots in the area. They are Duoyi Tree, Bada, Tiger Mouth and Jingkou Village. They scatter in the different places of Yuanyang. CNY 100 for a through ticket valid for 1 day, CNY180 valid for 10 days and CNY360 valid for 1 year. It’s not convenient to travel between the scenic spots. So it’s best to rent a car to visit these scenic spots, which is more flexible and easy to drop by to take photos. It is recommended to watch the sunrise in Duoyi Tree and watch the sunset at Tiger Mouth. Cloud sea often occur in Bada Scenic Spot. Jingkou Village is well-preserved Hani Village, where tourists could experience local culture. There are also many other terraces worth visiting and no entrance fee required, such as Longshuba and Habo Village.

There is no train or flight available in Yuanyang. It is best to take a Long-distance bus from Kunming to Yuanyang or first take a train to Jianshui and then take a bus from Jianshui to Yuanyang.Book a Train Ticket

The official website of Kunming Bus Station is www.4006510871.cn/ticket/home(Chinese). Tourist may book bus tickets from Kunming to Yuanyang or other cities in Yunnan.

Yuanyang Hani Terraced Field