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| Yunnan, means "South of the Clouds", is without doubt one of the most alluring places in China. It is the most geographically varied of all of China's provinces, with terrain as widely diverse as tropical rainforest and icy Tibetan highlands. It is also the sixth-largest province in China and home to a third of all China's ethnic minorities and half of all China's plant and animal species. It is a province of 40 million people, including a veritable constellation of minorities: The Zhuang, Hui, Yi, Miao, Tibetans, Yao, Dong and etc. |
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Kunming |
| Known as the "Spring City", Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan Province. At an elevation of 1890m, Kunming has a milder climate than most other Chinese cities, and can be visited at any time of year, hence the name. Of Kunming's population, only a million or so inhabit the urban area. At most, minorities account for 6% of the city's population, although the farming areas in the outlying counties are home to some Yi, Hui and Miao groups. The main spots of interests in and around Kunming include Golden Temple, Dian Lake, Great View Park, Western Hills and Stone Forest. |
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Xianyang |
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Dali lies on the western edge of Erhai Lake at an altitude of 1900m, with the imposing Jade Green Mountains behind it. The old city of Dali still retains a historical atmosphere that is hard to come by in other parts of China. The main inhabitants of the region are the Bai, who number about 1.5 million. The Bai people have long-established roots in the Erhai region, and are thought to have settled the area some 3000 years ago. The stunning mountain backdrop, Erhai Lake, the old city, cappuccinos, pizzas and the herbal alternative to cheap Chinese beer make it, along with Yangshuo in Guangxi, one of the few places in China where you can truly take a vacation from travelling. The main spots of interests are Three Pagodas, Erhai Lake, Butterfly Spring and the Old City. |
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Lijiang |
| North of Dali, bordering Tibet, the town of Lijiang is set in a beautiful Valley dominated by the towering, snow-capped peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Range. It covers an area of 20,600 square kilometers with a population of 1,030,00. Lijiang was founded as Dayan, a largely Naxi settlement first built during the Southern Song Dynasty nearly eight centuries ago. Its architecture is noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures that have evolved over many centuries. It is separated into old and new towns that are starkly different. In 1986, China's State Council designated Lijiang as an important historical and cultural national treasure. In 1997, UNESCO listed Lijiang as one of the world's major cultural heritages. The main spots of interests around are Dayan ancient town and Black Dragon Pool.
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