YUNNAN GUILIN TRAVEL

Yunnan is situated in high and mountainous border land with a varity of living surroundings and landshapes that gradually formed colourful customs and culture . As strangers know little about these customs , " the Eighteen odds " have been spread far and wide long before . However , the increasing communication and developing economy have made "the Eighteen odds " a past story . We collected and introduce them to you to let them detect and understand Yunnan minority customs , history and civilization so to arouse people to ardently love every and all mountains and waters of Yunnan

As one of the renowned histrical and cultural cities in China, Kunning is a hot tourist destination located near the southwest border of China. In the ancient times, Kunming which connected Sichuan, Yunnan, Tibet with Myanmar and India was an important city on the South Silk Road; at the same time, Kunming was the meeting point of the world renowned Nanshao Culture, Tufan Culture, Dongba Culture, ... Islamic Culture and Central Plains Culture.

 

The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides,leaving one side facing Dianchi Lake. The climate here is like spring all year round, with flowers in blossom in every season. Thus the city has been called "Spring City". Kunming is known for its rich tourist resources comprising beautiful natural scenery,magnificent countryside views and colourful folklore.

This itinerary covers some of the most interesting facets of Yunnan Province. Highlights include Kunming’s geological wonder the Stone Forest; Dali Old Town, the former political, cultural and economic center of Yunnan; Lijian Old Town, for 800 years home to the Naxi ethnic minority and Pudacuo National Park, a protected wetlands area in Shangri-La (Zhongdian).

Minorities in Yunnan have long illustrious history intriguing to people home and abroad. Meantime, the appealing natural scenery here attracts crowds of photo lovers who come here for photographing. Along the way, you will be indulged in the Tropical Botanical Garden in Xishuangbanna, sweet countryside landscape in Jianshui and the delicate Terraced Fields in Yuanyang

Kunming serves not only as the provincial center of Yunnan but also as the destination for its snowballing tourism with so many places of interest spread all around the city.A visit to the Golden Temple is strongly recommended. It is the largest copper temple in China. Here you can see something of the origins of Taoism as the temple is located on Fengming Hill, the home of the Taoist Taihe Palace (Hall of Supreme Harmony).The famous Buddhist Bamboo Temple (Qiongzhu Temple) with its most outstanding artistic features and surrounding bamboo forest should be included in your itinerary.The famous '99 International Horticultural Exposition enhanced the city's reputation world-wide. In the Expo Garden, you can appreciate the perfect harmony of man and nature.The spectacular view across Dianchi Lake from the vantage point of Western Hills is another enjoyable experience for visitors to the city.

Lijiang, a popular destination in Yunnan , is considered  a fairyland blessed with fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snow mountains and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by a friendly group of people. It is great to enjoy a quiet and pleasant holiday in its Old Town which is graced by well preserved ancient buildings and the Naxi culture.

In many visitors' minds, Lijiang refers to the Old Town which is an essential part of the whole city. In the 800 years from the Southern Song Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, the local governors and their subjects inhabited this city which has an advantageous geographical location not requiring a city wall. They created the famous Dongba Culture and the Naxi Ancient Music, and left a large group of unique Naxi buildings in this area.

Standing at Square Street, in the center of the Old Town, you will be deeply impressed by the charming town and the locals' quiet life, much like the meandering streams that wind through the town. Please slow down your steps here, and immerse yourself in a fairyland on earth.

Outside of the city, there are a great number of splendid natural attractions hosting more and more adventurers from home and abroad. The most famous one is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which is about 15 kilometers (about 9.3 miles) to the north of Lijiang City. More than 5500 meters (about 18,045 feet) above sea level, this mountain is noted for its precipitous slope and charming beauty. White Water River is a river formed by runoff from the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. At the east foot of the mountain exits an attraction, Dry Sea (Ganhai) . It had been a highland glacial lake before the 1940s and was formed after the water had dried up. And the Spruce Plateau (Yunshan Plateau) located at the foot of the mountain as well, is a large meadow hiding behind a primeval forest. At the southern foot of the mountain, you can find the famous Yufeng Temple , which is surrounded by the flourishing forest and a never-dried river. All this makes it a really good place to visit. As famous as the mountain

Splendid landscapes, the exotic ways of the Naxi ethnic group and the precious Dongba Culture make up the unique city of Lijiang. Each year it attracts a great number of visitors from home and abroad. To find a fairyland far from the bustling metropolises, please do not hesitate to come here.

The bridge-crossing noodle's origins are uncertain. One likely theory is that it originates from a bridge in southern Yunnan in Mengzi County, where there is a rice vermicelli tradition at least 100 years old.Another explication is in the following story; A scholar was studying hard for his imperial exams. A large earthen pot was loaded individually with pig bone or chicken soup. Noodles and other ingredients were kept in another container. When his wife combined them just before eating, they became a nutritious bowl of steaming noodles.

This was thought to have two advantages: a thin film would form on the surface of the soup, keeping it warm, and eating became more efficient because the noodles and soup were together. This allowed the student to study harder. This is the claim that has been put forth by a Yunnanese woman on the Yunnan Episode of the Chinese TV program, 'Travel in Asia'. However, other sources have put forward other versions of the origin.

 

See what the unforgettable province of Yunnan has to offer. With our Yunnan Tour packages, you will witness China's ancient past and colorful ethnic minority cultures. It will show you why Yunnan is one of China's hottest tourist destinations. We also can customize your own China tours match all your need.

 

China Direct Tours provide "private tours" in Yunnan and other cities all over China. We will design your trip according to your needs and budget. During the tour, you will have a knowledgeable local guide, a licensed driver and a comfortable vehicle at your service

GUILIN TRAVEL

The Lijiang River Scenic Zone at Guilin (24°40'-25°25'N, 11 0O5'-11 0°40'E) is located in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. The total area is two thousand square kilometers which covers the entire city of Guilin, Yangshuo County and certain parts of Lingui, Lingchuan and Yongfu counties. Lijiang River Scenic Zone at Guilin together with its natural resources is owned by the state

China, Guilin is considered to be the pearl of China's thriving tourist industry on account of the natural beauty and historic treasures. Covering an area of about 27,800 square kilometers (10,734 square miles), the city is rather compact when compared with other major tourist cities in the country. The stunning landscape in which the city is situated has a kind of magic that is all its own.

The strangely shaped hills or karsts, with the verdant vegetation ranging from bamboos to conifers together with crystal clear waters and wonderful caves make the city such an appealing destination. It is also an important cultural city with a history of more than 2,000 years. The city has been the political, economic and cultural center of Guangxi since the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127)

The Guilin Scenic Zone has a long history. As far back as seven or eight thousand years ago, primitive men lived here in the manner of matrilineal communes. In 214 B.C. Emperor Qin Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty ordered people to hew the Lingqu Canal and linked up the route of the Xiangjiang River to the Lijiang River and set up Guilin Prefecture. Later in the Song Dynasty, Guilin had begun to be noted throughout the country for its extreme natural beauty and the saying "Among all the mountains and waters, Guilin is the best" came into being. Guilin is well-known for its unique mountains and beautiful rivers.

Guilin is well-known for its unique mountains and beautiful rivers. It mainly consists of five scenic sites. There are about 157 rock hills (now under first-class or second-class state protection respectively), 21 major karst caves and several hundred smaller ones. Among the solitary hills and protruding rocks of Guilin, flows the tranquil Lijiang River and its tributaries, which produce most spectacular sight. Guilin is also famous for its Reed Flute Cave and Seven-Star Rocks. There are a lot of cultural relics in the scenic zone. More than two thousand stone carvings scatter all over its scenic sites