China - Yunnan

Der mächtige Kaiser Han Wudi selbst war bereits vor 2000 Jahren inspiriert durch rosa Wolken die über diesem wundersamen Land erschienen und seufzte, dass dieses Wunderland zu weit weg und zu hoch gelegen zum unterjochen sei. Dennoch entsandte er einen Botschafter, um seine Mysterien zu erkunden.

Heute ist Yunnan als eines der chinesischen Randgebiete zur Entdeckung geöffnet. Es bietet in den Augen der Besucher ein völlig anderes Bild als  traditionelle touristische Gebiete wie Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, und Guilin.

Die vielen Volksgruppen, wilden Berge und Schluchten, versteckten Klöster und subtropischen Wälder machen diese Provinz zu einem der attraktivsten Reiseziele Chinas.

Situated on the southwestern most part of China, Yunnan shares its border with Myanmar to the west and Laos, Vietnam to the south. The terrain of the province, with a total area of 400,000 square kilometers, is rugged and mountainous with the highest peak at 6,740 meters and average of 2000 meters. The three great rivers of Asia, Salween (Nu River), Mekong (Lancang River), and Yangtze (Jinsha River), plunge off the Tibetan plateau to run in great gorges through the province, giving its forest jungles an extraordinarily rich plant and birds life.
There are big settlements of many of Chinese minority nationalities. It is home to 25 different tribes, making it the country's highest concentration of ethnic groups, like Yi, Bai, Naxi and Hani, each of which with distinctive life style and splendid culture. With a population of over 4 million, the provincial capital Kunming is known as the City of Eternal Spring. The annual average temperature stands at 15 degree Celsius. However, its association with spring can be misleading due to the chilly air in winter sometimes. Kunming now functions as China's gateway to the Grand Mekong Region of Asia.

Kunming proudly hosted '99 World Horticultural Exposition from May 1st until October 31st with participation of more than 90 countries/regions and international organizations. The Stone Forest, 85 kilometers east to the city proper of Kunming, is considered the top highlight of the province. It is an endless stretch of limestone pillars, peaks and screens.

400 kilometers west to Kunming lies a historically and culturally known city of Dali, home to Bai minority, one of Yunnan's most numerous and prosperous ethnic groups. Here presents a scene of an old chess-board like town of weathered gray granite standing at 1900 meters on a long narrow rice plain between the Cangshan Mountains and the Erhai Lake, a natural configuration that seems specially designed for a good and relaxing life. In late winter, when fields of brilliant yellow rape seed shimmer and sway between snow-capped mountains and sapphire lake, one will agree with Bai that theirs is the most blessed spot on earth. Erhai Lake, referring to its ear-shape, lies in a geological fault between paralleled mountain stretches. With an area of 160 square miles, it ranks the second largest lake in the province and contributes to the Mekong River system.

The Cangshan ranges stand like a wall behind Dali plain. With a long, looping skyline shaped by 19 peaks, averaging about 13,000 feet above sea level. It has rich deposits of high quality marble adding to Dali's prosperity.

Northwest of Dali, approximately 180 kilometers away, finds a charming town of Lijiang. It is the center of Naxi people, one of the main minority groups with a richly textured culture. They are descendants of Diqiang people, an ancient nomadic tribe in China, known for their industriousness and splendid culture such as Dongba scriptures, a unique style of pictographic writing. The ancient Naxi music is believed to be the only surviving imperial music from Tang and Song Dynasties. Today, people still cherish and play this ancient instrumental music. These musicians made up the only of such orchestras left in China. Visitors have chances to appreciate their performance at Dayan Ancient Naxi Music Association.

Dayan old town is a must to visit in Lijiang. It was designated as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in late 1997. Taking a walk through the old town is like a step back in time. Narrow cobbled streets crisscross through clusters of century-old Chinese houses. Wearing their traditional costumes, people go about their age-old habits. Life here is simple and leisured.
Going up the top and middle party of Jade Dragon Snow Mountains is now made possible by cable car or chairlift, which bring visitor to the picturesque view of pastures, forests, glaciers and snow-clad summits. The largest ski resort in Asia is opening on the summit.

From Lijiang, a winding road brings travelers to one of the world's deepest gorge, Tiger Leaping Gorge. It plunges 3900 meters from the peak to the water surface.

Driving up further north leads to Zhongdian (Gyalthang in Tibetan, or Shangri-La as of late December 2001), capital of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It is bestowed with spectacular views of rolling highland plains and pristine lakes bordered by snow-capped mountains. Ganden Songzanglin Monastery is nicknamed Minor Potala Palace by locals and resides around 500 lamas, including one living Buddha.

Situated in the south of Yun Ling Mountains, Yunnan covers an area of 394,000 square kilometers and accommodates a total population of over 40 million people. It shares a long borderline of 4,061 kilometers with respectively Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar (formerly as Burma).
Yunnan sits on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The average elevation is 2,000 meters above sea level and the annual rainfall averages 1,100 millimeters. Its climate is generally of the subtropical zones. The climate in the central part of Yunnan is mild like that of Kunming, the provincial capital. The south and the southeast bear the characteristics of the tropical rain forest climate while the northwest falls under the frigid zone.
Yunnan finds its dry season in October, November, December, January, February, March and April.
The rainy season is in May, June, July, August, and September, but there are sunshine between showers. As the high altitude cases some fluctuations of temperature, simple clothing consisting of layers that can be added or removed in response to varying temperatures is recommended.
Yunnan is an ethically diversified province with 25 out of 55 minority groups in China. Each has their own social structure, culture, language and customs. Among all minority festivities, the most remarkable are the Torch Festival of Yi all over Yunnan, the Water Splashing Festival of Dai in Xishuangbanna, the Third Month Fair of Bai in Dali, the Horse Racing Festival of the Tibetans in Zhongdian (or Gyalthang in Tibetan and Shangri-La as of December 2001).

         Monthly Average Temperatures in Yunnan (degrees Centigrade)

         Monthly Average Precipitation in Yunnan (millimeters)

PASSPORTS & VISAS
A China visa is required for visit of China. CITS Kunming may assist if China Embassy in your home country requests invitation letter from travel agent in China. Always check China Embassy or Consulate Generals in your home country before your China trip.
China visa upon arrival for groups and individuals alike can be arranged in Kunming at some surcharge. For this China visa upon arrival, we need, prior to your arrival, your passport details (full name, gender, nationality, passport number, and validity…).
For cross-country tours in Yunnan to Vietnam, Myanmar, or Laos, separate and valid visas of these nations are also required.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Art objects and antiques obtained in China are often closely scrutinized. Antiques should carry a seal showing they are purchased in an official shop. Contemporary art objects should be accompanied by a receipt. Souvenirs bought on the street are usually allowed to pass.

  HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
No vaccinations are officially required for a visit to Yunnan.

MONEY - currency - money exchange - credit card
The legal Chinese tender is Renminbi (RMB for short) yuan. 1 RMB is denominated into 10 Jiao, or 100 Fen (cent). The exchange rate is more or less 1 US$ = 8.10 RMB yuan. You may have your currency exchanged into RMB at a fixed rate at airport, hotel or any banks. You may have a better exchange rate by using traveler cheques at Bank of China. Major credit cards (MasterCard, VISA, American Express, JCB and Diners Club) are accepted at major hotels but pre-cautions must be taken that this may not always be the case.

ELECTRICITY
The electricity current in China is 220 volts AC. Adapters are provided by most hotels.

SAFETY & SECURITY
Safety is not an issue of concern in Yunnan. However, staying away from big crowds and always be vigilant may secure your trip a safer one.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

l  New Year’s Day holiday : January 01-03 in years 2002, 2003, and 2004.

l  Spring Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year) holiday : February 12-18 in 2002, February 01-07 in 2003, January 22-28 in 2004.

l  Labor Day holiday : May 01-07 in years 2002, 2003, and 2004.

l  National Day holiday: October 01-07 in years 2002, 2003 and 2004.

All companies and governmental offices are closed for one week during the Spring Festival, the Labor Day, and National Day. These periods witness a massive flow of domestic tourists concentrated in the most famous sites around China. Yunnan, being a major domestic tourist destination, often faces issues of increased hotel and transportation expenses as well as shortage of rooms and flights within the province. Therefore, we suggest you avoid, as much as you can, visiting Yunnan during the dates mentioned above to make your holiday more at leisure pace.

AIRPORT TAX
Airport tax or departure tax is required for any international or domestic traveler who departs from any airport in China.
International airport tax:       RMB 90.00 yuan (or 11 USD) per person per flight
Domestic airport tax:            RMB 50.00 yuan (or 6 USD) per person per flight
NOTE: Departure from any mainland cities to Hong Kong or Macao, both returned to China successively in 1997 and in 1999, is considered as international hence international airport tax is applied.

TIME ZONE (or Local Time) China time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Note: neighboring countries of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos are 7 hours ahead of GMT.