When presiding over a meeting on the building of the western Yunnan tourist loop on April 16, Yunnan provincial governor Ruan Chengfa vowed to strengthen and optimize planning of the undertaking, and to promote the construction of transportation infrastructure and create a more integrated tourism service system. These efforts aim to build the province into a unique tourist destination in the world.

The western Yunnan tourist loop to be built includes Deqin, Shangri-la, Lijiang, Dali, Baoshan, Ruili, Tengchong, Lushui, Gongshan and Deqin. By building this tourist loop, the province aims to promote the overall upgrade and restructuring of tourism in its western part, while speeding up the poverty alleviation in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture and Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Today, let’s take a look at how amazing the western Yunnan tourist loop is.

Deqin: Hometown of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys

Deqin County is under the jurisdiction of Diqing Prefecture and is a home to most revered holy mountain in Tibetan areas—the Meili Snow Mountain. The towering mountain, deep valleys and running rivers constitute the most unique scenery. In the mountain, four seasons can be found on different altitudes and all eco landscapes of the northern hemisphere are condensed there. Of all these views, the most breathtaking is the sun shining on the snow-capped peaks of the Meili Snow Mountain. Hidden in the mountain, the Tibetan village Yubeng is dubbed as a fairyland for its idyllic beauty.

Another well-known mountain in Deqin is the Baima Snow Mountain where there is the most beautiful forest of azaleas in China. In spring and summer, the azaleas bloom and their fragrance refreshes minds of tourists. In autumn and winter, the forest on Baima Snow Mountain turns on different colors, presenting amazing views. The mountain is also home to 2,000-2,500 Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, which accounts for 70% of the world’s total.

Deqin is the first place the Jinsha River enters Yunnan. In Benzilan Town where the Ancient Tea and Horse Road passes through, tourists can overlook the spectacular turn of the Jinsha River.

Shangri-la: The center of the sun and the moon

Also located in Diqing Prefecture, Shangri-la City boasts the first national park of China——the Pudacuo National Park where there are mirror-like alpine lakes, grasslands with plenty of water and lush grass, flower-blooming wetlands, and primitive forest.

Here, the Dukezong ancient town is the largest well-preserved traditional Tibetan house cluster in China. Walking in this 1,300-year-old town, visitors can find many traces left behind by the horse caravans in the old times.

Here, the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery is known as the “Little Potala Palace”. Built on a mountain slope, the monastery is in a unique shape and is regarded as a “Tibetan Art Museum”.

Here, the Balog Zon is a fairyland on earth and also the most mysterious among all mysterious lands.

Here, deep in the forest, the Napa Lake forms a beautiful painting together with the snow peaks, grasslands, yaks and sheep.

Lijiang: A place where you want to stay

As a prefecture-level city in northwest Yunnan, Lijiang has been put onto the list of Chinese Historical and Cultural Cities. The ancient town of Lijiang looks so amazing whether you are in it or see it from a bird’s eye view.

Here, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the southernmost of its kind covered with snow all year round in China. Seen from afar, the snow-capped peaks are like a magnificent flying dragon.

Here, hidden in the southern slope of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Wenhai is a well-known Naxi ethnic village where there are still no concrete houses. People still lead life in traditional ways.

Here, the Shitou Village was built on a large protruding rock with cliffs on three sides and a rocky slope on the fourth. Located at the junction area between Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, the Shitou Village is like a castle with natural barriers.

Dali: The wind, flowers, snow and moon

Located in west Yunnan, Dali is known for the Four Famous Scenes. They are the wind in Xiaguan, flowers in Shangguan, snow on the Cang Mountain and the moon reflected in the Erhai Lake.

Here, you can wander in the lanes and streets of the ancient town, or you can also rent a car to drive around the Erhai Lake.

Here, you can experience the 3,000-year-old fishing culture in Xizhou Town where fishermen still follow the tradition of raising cormorants to help catch fish.

Here, you can learn how to make tie-dying. The hand-made tie-died cloth has beautiful patterns unmatched by those made by machines.

Baoshan: City with indelible memories

In west Yunnan’s Baoshan City, the Qinghua Lake sits on the outskirts of Longyang District and boasts both cultural and natural landscapes.

Here, the super-large Longjiang Bridge connects the Gaoligong Mountain and the border city of Tengchong.

Here, the Songshan Mountain in Longling County was once a battle filed in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Indelible memories are told for generations.

Ruili: Experiencing exotic culture

Situated in west Yunnan’s Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Ruili is a city on the Chinese side of China-Myanmar border line.

Here the scenes show different charms in line with the change of seasons, and even in a single day, they present different beautiful views as the sun rises and sets.

Here, the Jiele Golden Pagoda is the oldest of its kind in the region. Towering into the sky, the pagoda looks dazzlingly brilliant and splendid in green and gold.

Here, you can experience the exotic culture in the “One Village in Two Countries”. Nearby the No. 71 China-Myanmar Boundary Marker, there is a village which is divided into two parts by the border line. On the Chinese side, it’s called Yinjing and on the Myanmar side, its name is Mangxiu.

Here, you can pass through the Moli Tropical Rainforest scenic area. Leaving behind the hustles and bustles of city life, you can refresh yourself in the tranquil and amazing rainforest.

Tengchong: Destination of volcanoes and hot springs

Located in west Yunnan’s Baoshan City, Tengchong is a county-level city known for volcanoes and hot springs. The dormant volcanoes present spectacular views and hot springs make Tengchong a popular destination in the country.

Here, in the Beihai Wetland, there are rare floating meadows which are like large colorful carpets.

Here, the fairyland-like Jiangdong Village is home to thousands of gingko trees. When autumn comes, the golden leaves and simple houses contrast finely with each other.

Here, in the city town, folk houses stand row upon row on a mountain slope. And the Confucius Temple was built in the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644).

Lushui: Seasonal changes bring different scenes

Under the jurisdiction of Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, the county-level Lushui City is located in the Nu River Gorge, one of the most spectacular and precipitous canyons in the world. In the foggy and cloudy canyon, Nu River runs like a raging dragon.

Here, the majestic Gaoligong Mountain is home to many beautiful landscapes. From spring to winter, it presents different beautiful scenes.

Here, you can enjoy the unique Laowo ham. The fermented ham is in dark reddish color, and tastes tender, fat but not greasy.

Gongshan: Pearl of the Three Parallel River area

Gongshan is the northernmost county in Nujiang Prefecture. The Bingzhongluo Town is the most beautiful in the Nu River Gorge. Everyone who comes to visit the town is intoxicated by the tranquil and pastoral scenes.

Here, the idyllic Wuli Village is where the Ancient Tea and Horse Road passes through. Houses scatter in graceful disorders in the green fields. When cooking time comes, smoke curls upwards from kitchen chimneys of each house. What a tranquil and harmonious view it is!

Here, the Qiunatong Village, located at the northernmost of Nu River Gorge, is just like a scroll of painting. With dense, primitive forest, and multiple waterfalls, Qiunatong is regarded as a paradise for hikers.