Top 7 Things to Do in Yunnan with Useful Travel Tips
Yunnan Province, the hidden gem in southwest China, provides breathtaking landscapes and rich ethnic heritage. Whether you're an intrepid adventurer seeking challenging hikes, a history buff yearning to delve into ethnic traditions, or a nature lover drawn to serene lakes and majestic mountains, Yunnan offers something for you. Here, we've compiled the 7 best things to do in Yunnan to help you plan a perfect tour.
Cycle Along the Erhai Lake to Explore Ancient Towns
Erhai Lake in Dali
Erhai Lake is located in Dali. The crystal clear blue water and picturesque scenery of Erhai Lake attract numerous nature lovers around the world. Besides, there are many old towns settled along Erhai Lake, such as Dali Old Town, Xizhou Old Town, and Shuanglang Old Town. It's best to spend 2 days around Erhai Lake. And you can explore all these attractions at once. All you need is to rent a bike. You can easily find car rental agencies in Dali Old Town. When you finish visiting Dali Old Town, you can bike all the way along the lake to get to the Xizhou Old Town. After that, keep riding until you reach Shuanglang Ancient Town.
We recommend you come between March and April or in late July and August. Many festivals and grand events of Bai nationality are held during these periods. There will be ethnic performances in ancient towns, making your Yunnan tour more unforgettable.
Travel Tips:
Be sure to bring ample sunscreen, as there are few trees around Erhai Lake and the high altitude in Yunnan means strong UV rays. However, the ancient towns offer some shade, as the houses there are generally taller. You'll find plenty of guesthouses and restaurants within the ancient towns, so you can easily stay for an extended period without worrying about accommodations or food.
Hike the Marvelous Tiger Leaping Gorge
Tiger Leaping Gorge in Shangri-La
Tiger Leaping Gorge is the deepest gorge in China. It's located on the southwest edge of Shangri-La. The Jinsha River, a major tributary of the Yangtze River, runs through this gorge. It's one of the top hiking places because of the challenging trails and stunning scenery around it. Also, you can overlook Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, as they're both close to Tiger Leaping Gorge. No matter if you prefer a shorter or longer hiking tour, you can have an unforgettable hiking experience here.
The water of Jinsha River is always roaring and rapid. However, the color will change in different months. From late May to October, the water will be yellow due to the rainy season. During this time, the water looks more powerful. From late October to early May, the water is green like emerald, and even blue in spring. If it's not because of the fast speed, you might mistake it with the Blue Moon Valley.
Travel Tips:
You don't need to pack too much for a hiking tour. There are guesthouses that provide both food and accommodations in Tiger Leaping Gorge. You can also rent a trekking pole at those guesthouses.
Witness the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is also called Yulong Snow Mountain. It's located in Lijiang. For a truly unforgettable experience, consider hiking Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Revered by the Naxi people as a sacred mountain, this natural wonder offers breathtaking views and a unique cultural experience. After ascending to 4,506 meters by cable car, you can embark on a challenging hike to 4,680 meters. At that height, you'll see the panoramic vistas of 13 snow-capped peaks.
If you prefer a more relaxing way to admire the snowy mountains, you can enjoy the stunning view of Blue Moon Valley at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. With snowy peaks in the background, the scenery is dreamlike and beautiful.
Travel Tips:
Due to the high altitude of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you may experience some discomfort. To alleviate this, you can purchase an oxygen bottle for approximately 10 RMB (around 1.5 USD) from local vendors. This should be sufficient for your journey. Remember to pack warm clothing as temperatures drop significantly higher up the mountain.
Enjoy the Ethnic Festivals in Yunnan
Ethnic performance in Yunnan
There are 55 ethnic minorities in China, and 25 of them live in Yunnan. Each of these 25 ethnic minorities has their own unique traditions and cultures, featuring different festivals. One of the best ways to learn about ethnic minorities in Yunnan is by taking part in their festivals. Basically, most ethnic festivals are open to visitors.
Here are the two most popular ethnic festivals in Yunnan. The Torch Festival is celebrated by the Yi Ethnic Group in Chuxiong every lunar June 24th (approximately late July). You can dance around the bonfire with local people at night and enjoy some cultural performances, like horse racing, wrestling, and archery.
The Water Splashing Festival is celebrated by the Dai Ethnic Group in Xishuangbanna from April 13th to 15th. People spalsh water on each other as a symbol of blessing and purification. There are also cultural music, dance, and other artistic performances during the festival.
Travel Tips:
It's always wise to plan ahead. Check the actual date since the lunar calendar is different from the ordinary calendar. Also, learn about the festival you're interested in, including local traditions and etiquette. When you're actually attending one, observe local customs and avoid imposing your own cultural practices. Contact us for bookings for the festivals you're interested in.
Visit an Ethnic Family in Yunnan
A Naxi elder is introducing his home to visitors
Another good way to learn about ethnic minorities in Yunnan is by visiting their homes. You don't need to worry about language barriers. When traveling with us, you can interact closely with local minority groups under the guidance of our tour guide. You'll have the opportunity to hear local people introduce their customs and architectural styles, try on their traditional clothing for photos, and experience their daily lives. For example, if you're visiting a Naxi family, you can try to grind beans with a stone mill to make tofu and craft Dongba paper. You can also join the locals in enjoying their unique cuisine.
Travel Tips:
Visiting the home of an ethnic family is a rather formal thing in their culture, so we suggest you dress modestly and avoid revealing clothing. Also, always ask for permission before taking pictures of their home.
While many locals speak basic Mandarin, it's always a good idea to learn some basic phrases in Chinese. You can learn to speak simple Chinese, like "你好", which refers to hello in Chinese, and "谢谢", which refers to thank you in Chinese.
Unviel the Tibetan Buddhism in Songzanlin Monastery
Songzanlin Monastery
Songzanlin Monastery is a classical Tibetan Buddhist monastery and it's the largest one in Yunnan Province. People gave it a nickname "Little Potala Palace" because of its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Tibet. If you don't have extra time for a visit to Tibet, traveling to Songzanlin Monastery will give you a glimpse into Tibetan life. In this monastery, you can admire the impressive Tibetan architecture with splendid golden roofs. You can learn with monks here and learn about Tibetan Buddhist rituals. Also, the surrounding view will offer a serene environment to relax yourself.
If you visit Songzanlin Monastery during the Christmas or New Year holidays, you might have the chance to experience the annual Gedong Festival. This festival is celebrated on the 26th and 29th days of the 11th lunar month, which usually falls in late December or early January. You can enjoy traditional Tibetan dances and prayer rituals.
Travel Tips:
Out of respect for the religious site, it's recommended to dress modestly. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. While photography is generally allowed, it's important to be respectful of monks and other visitors. Avoid using flash photography inside the monastery.
Try Delicious Yunnan Rice Noodle
Yunnan rice noodles
The most famous food in Yunnan is rice noodles. This distinctive dish features soft rice noodles, hot soup, and various toppings. Maybe you've heard of it or you've already tried it in your hometown. However, it's still worth trying the most genuine rice noodles. In Yunnan, rice noodles are served with boiling soup in one pot and rice noodles, meat, and vegetables in separate bowls. Placing the noodles and toppings one by one into the soup is the most authentic way to have rice noodles in Yunnan. Except for rice noodles, there are more yummy foods in Yunnan, such as flower cakes, mushroom hotpot, and Rushan cheese, all of which are waiting for you to try.
Travel Tips:
Celiacs can enjoy this dish because rice noodles are gluten-free. However, it's always important to ask about the ingredients and let the restaurant know about what you don't eat. For more information about how to eat gluten-free during your trip to China, please refer to: 9 Tips for a Gluten-Free Trip to China.
Explore Yunnan With Us
Did the top 7 things to do in Yunnan steal your heart? If it did, feel free to contact us or write to trip@odynovotours.com for a customized Yunnan tour. We can design an authentic itinerary based on your favourite things. Also, you can ask for more inspiration for your Yunnan tour. Our experts will always be ready to help.
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