What to See in Yunnan – Attractions

Kunming

Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, is known as 'the City of Eternal Spring' for its pleasant climate and flowers that bloom all year long. With a history of more than 2,400 years, it was the gateway to the celebrated Silk Road that facilitated trade with Tibet, Sichuan, Myanmar, India and beyond. Today it is the provincial political, economical and cultural center of Yunnan as well as the most popular tourist destination in southwest China. The Dianchi Lake Scenic Area is located in the southwest part of Kunming City. Dianchi Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province and the sixth largest one in China.

Shangri-La

The ancient town of Shangri-la is a beautiful place. Surrounded by snow capped mountain, and lush valleys, visiting the town of Shangri-la feels like stepping into the pages of James Hilton's novel where he described Shangri-la as a heaven of peace and happiness. Pudacuo National Park, the real Shangri-La in Shangri-La, is notable as the first national park in China. It consists of three main parts: Shudu Lake, Bita Lake and Militang Grassland with minority villages, lush forests, emerald lakes and gorgeous pasture views.

Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna is the home of the Dai people, it shares a boundary of 966 kilometers with Burma and Laos in the east, south and west, being a vital pass from China to indo-China Peninsular by land. The region sits at a lower altitude than most of Yunnan, and has a tropical climate. In addition to an abundance of plants, Xishuangbanna is home to the last few Asian elephants still in China. If you go to Xishuangbanna during April, you may experience the splendid Water-Sprinkling Festival of Dai people.