Quixotic Yunnan

China is fast becoming a regular hotspot for tourists all around the  world. And with the Lonely Planet listing one of its most famous provinces, Yunnan, among the top ten destinations for 2009, there sure is no looking back for the tourism industry here! Literally translated as “South of the Clouds”, this region, ensconced by snow-capped peaks and populated by manifold ethnic minorities, is sure to leave you yearning for more — that’s Yunnan!

Criss-crossed by numerous rivers such as the Xi, the Yangtze, the Yuan and peppered with lakes like the Erhai, the Lugu and the Dianchi, this mountainous terrain, home to variegated species of flora and fauna, is a regular haunt for naturalists. Don’t miss a trip to the Pudacuo and the Laojunshan National Park. Yunnan also boasts of not less than three UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the South China Karst plateau, the Old Town of Lijiang and Three parallel rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas. This province also deserves special recommendation on account of being designated as a “Center of Plant Diversity”, an “Endemic Bird Area” and a “Global Biodiversity Hotspot”. All the more reason to set off for this “it” destination!

The classic tour at Yunnan extends from the capital Kunming to the historic kingdoms of Dali and Nanzhao. Acquaint yourself with the Yi ethnic minority at Chuxiong. Undergo a spiritual rejuvenation at the county of Shangri-la and find your way through the stone forest of Shilin, followed by a sip of ice-cold beer at Xishuangbanna, a natural resort. The vast rice terraces at Yuanyang, the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Pujian Temple are sure to make this Chinese vacation an unforgettable one.

Relish a quintessential spread of Han Chinese cuisines, ranging from some special dishes such as Boluo fan, Erkuai and Guoquiao Mixian to hot Chinese preparations of Pu-erh and Keemun Tea. Yunnan is definitely not an ideal place for shopping, but you can try your luck at the Sha Ping market, Dali.

Several tour operators are organizing Yunnan itineraries at considerbaly cheap rates. Grab this opportunity of escaping into this heaven on earth and cherishing some golden moments of freedom, of pleasure and invigoration. Yunnan welcomes you.