The lovely guide VV from China Travel Agency’s Wonderful Travel Supermarket (www.qi-miao.com) kicked off this Yunnan tour with a performance of “The Phoenix Tail Bamboo under the Moonlight.” Yunnan, the land of peacocks, enjoys spring-like weather all year round. Here, you can not only enjoy stunning natural scenery and experience rich ethnic cultures but also explore the profound heritage of Yunnan culture. As early as the Han Dynasty, Yunnan was an important passage and port on the “Ancient Southern Silk Road” leading to various Asian countries. The Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms from the classic “Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils” once flourished here, leaving behind a wealth of unique local cultures. From ancient Dian bronze culture and Dai palm-leaf culture to Dali Nanzhao culture and Lijiang Dongba culture, each showcases Yunnan’s long evolutionary history and rich human development.
Yunnan Travel — Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
When visiting Yunnan, you absolutely must not miss Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Revered as a sacred mountain by the Naxi people and various ethnic groups in Lijiang, the mountain features snow and glacier landscapes, alpine meadows, primeval forests, and snow mountain waterfalls from its peak down to its base. On the eighth day of the second lunar month each year, locals and Naxi people residing elsewhere celebrate the vibrant "Three Flowers Festival" to honor Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the divine deity Sanduo. It is recommended to visit between National Day and Chinese New Year because snow begins to fall in November and it’s the low season—both the mood for sightseeing and the scenery are at their best.
Tourist Routes
A typical tourist route is from Lijiang — Ganhaizi — Baishui River — Yunshanping. Starting from Baishui River, you can take the cable car up to Yunshanping. It is not recommended to ride a horse up the mountain; all horse riding options are scams that offer no real views of the scenic spots.
Skiing: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain offers year-round skiing. Take the enclosed cable car up to the 4,506-meter-high Four Seasons Ski Resort (round-trip cable car fare is 172 yuan).
Yunnan Travel — Ancient Cities and Towns
In Yunnan travel, the most beautiful time to explore the ancient cities is at night. Under the night sky, strings of red lanterns flicker in and out of view, a cool breeze greets you, and the aroma of unique snacks wafts through the air. We sip drinks by the water, listening to the distant sound of boat oars...
It is said that the ancient city has a history of nearly a thousand years. Preserved through the trials of time, its ancient charm is now somewhat obscured by heavy commercialization, making it hard to discern how locals interpret its millennia-old civilization. As you enter the ancient city, the first thing you see is a giant waterwheel the size of a house. Clear streams from the nearby Jade Dragon Snow Mountain flow in, resembling a maiden’s loosened braids before sleep, splitting into several streams of varying thicknesses as they meander into the city—some clear, some shallow, some fast, some winding. Willow trees sway by the water’s edge, goldfish glide beneath the surface, creating an atmosphere of refined tranquility. Walking down as the evening breeze blows, you’ll find brightly lit shops and dimly lit bars, perfectly capturing the essence of a poetic night scene.
There are three well-preserved ancient towns in the Lijiang Basin: Dayan Ancient Town (the one within Lijiang city), Shuhe, and Baisha. Dayan is the southernmost, Baisha the northernmost, and Shuhe lies in between, with no more than fifteen kilometers between them. However, Dayan has become overly commercialized due to excessive development; Shuhe is also fully developed with commercialization creeping in; only Baisha remains in its early stages. So, if you’re just traveling, go to Dayan to explore the ancient town and enjoy the bars; if you want to experience Lijiang’s elegance, choose Shuhe for a peaceful retreat amid liveliness and convenient living; if you wish to escape urban noise, head to Baisha, where the hazy morning light, stone-paved paths, and elderly Naxi people buying groceries along the way create a life as serene as a painting!
What impressed me most about Yunnan travel is its gentleness—like a shy yet vibrant maiden. After returning home, flipping through the photos slowly and savoring them is like tasting Yunnan’s Huixiang tea: the lingering fragrance and sweet aftertaste are refreshing and unforgettable—Yunnan is beautiful, truly beautiful.