About Yunnan Adventure
Yunnan offers a remarkable variety of landscapes and cultural traditions. Its historic villages, snow-capped mountains, and deep canyons provide rewarding opportunities for exploration. The destinations below introduce some of the places featured in our journeys through the province.
Lijiang Old Town
Lijiang’s Old Town preserves historic streets, traditional architecture, and the cultural heritage of its communities. Established during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, it lies near Lion Mountain, with mountains to the north and fertile fields to the southeast. Its setting and cultural traditions make it a distinctive destination. The Old Town of Lijiang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Tiger Leaping Gorge lies near Lijiang between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Mountain. The roughly 15-kilometer gorge offers dramatic cliffs and powerful rapids on the Jinsha River, the upper stretch of the Yangtze. Its name comes from a legend about a tiger escaping a hunter by leaping across the river at its narrowest point.
Dali Ancient City
Dali’s old town lies about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from the modern city, between the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake. Its traditional streets and architecture reflect the region’s Bai and Yi cultural heritage. Explore the historic center and enjoy its setting on the fertile plateau.
Songzanlin Monastery
The Songzanlin Monastery often called Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, or Guihua Monastery, is located at the foot of Foping Mountain near Shangri-La County in western Yunnan. Initially built in 1679, construction took two years. The monastery has been rebuilt and remodeled many times in its long history but has always maintained its traditional Tibetan architecture style. The monastery is built on a hillside and looks like an ancient fort. There are two lamaseries in the Songzanlin Monastery, the Zhacang, and the Jikang Lamaseries.