Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan Province. With a history more than 2,400 years, it owes its importance to the fact that it was the gateway to the celebrated Silk Road that facilitated trade with Tibet, Sichuan, Myanmar and India. The city enjoys a pleasant climate and does its best to live up to its title of the City of Eternal Spring. Its alluring highland scenery, bewitching Karsts landform, varied and exotic habitats and customs, places of historical interest can be found at major scenic spots. Besides, Kunming is the focal point of Yunnan minority culture with 26 ethnic groups like Bai, Dai, Miao in the area.

The fight will touches down at Lijiang in one hour. Lying in a broad and fertile valley dominated by the snow-mantled peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang was founded as Dayan, a large Naxi settlement first built during the Southern Song Dynasty eight centuries ago. Once you are in Lijiang, a small and quiet city newly constructed outside the ancient town, you'll find hard to return to the hustle and bustle of the large cities and can not wait to explore the ancient town.

Located at the foot of Elephant Hill, Black Dragon Pool was built in 1737 during the Qing Dynasty. Since the water of the pond is as green as a shining jade. The park was built here with the name of Yuyuan (Jade Spring). It occupies an area of 11,390 square meters and includes many distinctive, ravishing and well-preserved sites like stone-carved lions, white marble bridges, pavilions, temples and steles etc. These antique and exquisite architecture pieces are in the style of Naxi, which will make your every step a bid surprise. Besides, Dongba Culture Research Institute and Dongba Culture Museum are also in the park.

Lijiang Ancient Town is a well-preserved one known for Naxi people's brilliant culture. With a history more han 800 years, the town was firstly built at the interval of the Song Dynasty changed to the Yuan Dynasty, and occupies an area of 3.8 square kilometers. It is built alongside the lie of mountains and the flow of rivers with the ancient water-supply system which still in use today, providing a vary precious sample of the research on ancient architecture. As a result of the multi-culture and the progress of Naxi ethnic group, the buildings in town incorporate the best parts of the architectural traits of Han, Bai and Tibetan into the unique Naxi style. The layout of the town is free and flexible, the houses are close and diverse and the lanes are narrow and meandering. Along the both side of the lanes, there are shops selling superb handicrafts. Here you also have the chance to trace the Ancient Tea-Horse Road.

It will take about half an hour to reach Jade Dragon Sown Mountain which is located at 15km north of Lijiang Ancient Town. It is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, consisting of 13 peaks with the highest one at an altitude of 5,600 meters. Looking from the town, the mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence the name. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a sanctuary for rare animals and wild plants. About one fourth of all the plant species in China can be found here and 20 primeval forest communities shelter a big family of 400 types of trees and 30 kinds of animals which are protected by the state. These species living in different temperature levels create different kinds of views of the mountain. The peaks of the mountain are covered by snow all year around and gain the name of natural glacier museum. You can find rivers and pools formed by the thawed snow flowing along the valley and through the forests.

Continue our visiting after lunch. First built in 1756, Yufeng Temple is located at the southern foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, 13km from Lijiang Ancient Town. The temple is surrounded by the flourishing forest and river with the snow mountain at its back. It displays a distinctive architectural style of Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and local Naxi Dongba Religion. It is also the witness of the peaceful coexistence of multinational cultures and religions. Today it still plays an important role in local residents religious life.

Baisha Mural is located at Baisha Villages, 10km north of Lijiang Ancient Town. Although the traditional houses do not look impressive, the place was the cradle of Naxi people and ancient capital of Naxi Kingdom. The valuable mural are protected inside Dabaoji Palace and the colored glaze temples. The originality and figures of the mural reflect the different religious cultures and artistic forms of Buddhism, Lamaism, Taoism and local Naxi Dongba religion's development into Naxi School. Each painting includes at least one hundred portraits are not only Buddha but also ordinary people such as bureaucrats, criminals and so on. Many of the scenes and subjects are drawn from people's daily life showing fishing, riding horses, weaving, dancing and casting iron. The photography is forbidden.