China Travel Reference

Erhai
	Just as its name implies, the Erhai (Ear Lake), a fresh-water lake two kilometers northeast of Dali, for the reason of its shape looks like that of an ear, thence it is named. Covering 250 square kilometers and an average altitude of 1,966 meters, the blue, rippling lake and the snow-covered Mt. Cangshan sitting on the western shore, add radiance and beauty to each other. The scene is, therefore, described as “Silver Mt. Cangshan and Jade Erhai”.

Scenic Lugu Lake
	Ninglang County, some 200 km northeast of Lijiang, is the site of the Lugu Lake, where the white clouds dotted blue sky with snow-capped mountains is reflected quiveringly in its crystal clear waters. The place is also the home to an “unusual matriarchal kingdom” –the local Mosuo residents still manage to keep their matrilineal tradition very much intact in their daily life, dress, dwellings, marriage, etc.


Stone Forest
	Covering a total area of 350 square kilometers, the Stone Forest is a masterpiece of the great nature. Out of a topographical turmoil, the Stone Forest is made up of a jungle of 100 or so groups of monoliths in various shapes ranging from overhanging cliffs to grotesque boulders. Situated in the Shilin Autonomous County of the Yi Nationality, about 84 km southeast of Kunming, it consists of seven scenic areas –the Big and Small Stone Forests, Naigu Stone Forest, Dadieshui Waterfall, Moon Lake, Subterranean Stone Forest in Zhiyun Cave, and Cave of Magical Wind. Thousands of stone peaks and stone pillars, taking in various shapes such as pagodas, spears, animals or human being figures, are scattered here and there. It is reputed as “the most fantastic scenery under heaven”. Apart from the natural spectacle, another allurer to tourists is the inhabitants, the Sani people around the Stone Forest and theirs unique culture, whose peculiar habits and customs never fail to make visitors captivated. Grand celebrations are held during the Torch Festival, which fall on the 24th day of the 6th lunar month.


Three Pagodas
	The three Pagodas arise at the foot of Cangshan Mountain overlooking the Erhai Lake. They are also called the Three Pagodas of Saintly Worship for their location in front of the former monastery with the same name. Qianxun Pagoda, the tallest of the three has 16 tiers and reaches a height of 69.13 meters. It is a close-eaved square brick pagoda built in a style of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The two smaller octagonal pagodas, each 42 meters high with 10 tiers, have a luxurious appearance with their exquisite carvings. They were built in the Five Dynasties (907-960). In 1978 during the renovation works, many precious relics of the Tang and Song dynasties were discovered in the Three Pagodas , which make them even more famous.

Shangri-La ----Zhongdian
	Surrounded by snowcapped mountains, the mysterious valleys are lying down on the vast grasslands of the plateau, where the pyramid-looked snowcapped peaks, crystal-blue lakes and the age-old temples, churches, like magnet, never fail to allure visitors and to stir the imagination of the people living in towns. This is the place named "Shangri-La", the hidden paradise described by James Hilton in his novel Lost Horizon. Zhongdian, with its virgin beauty, like a bright pearl, is located in the "Great Triangle" of Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet, as well as the juncture of the three rivers (Nu River, Lancang River and Jinsha River). Apart from its well-preserved natural ecology, Zhongdian also has its unique folkways, which is simple
and unsophisticated in the world. For its unique topography, traveling from the Jinsha River toward the land, one can experience the different climates and enjoy different scenery within one day. Just like the local saying goes “there are four season in one day; within 5 kilometers world could be different.” On the way there are also many other attractions, such as the "Tiger Leaping Gorge", one of the world famous canyons, Gedan Songzan Monastery Forest, also called Small Potala Palace, the White Water Platform, which is considered as the origin of Dongba Culture, The Bita Sea, a pearl in the plateau and the Napa Lake, a paradise of crane.


Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas
	Consisting of eight geographical protected areas within the boundaries of the Three Parallel Rivers National Park, in the mountainous area of the northwest of Yunnan province, the region covers an area of 40,000 square kilometers and features sections of the upper reaches of the three great rivers of Asia: the Yangtze, Mekong and Salween –namely, the Jinsha, Lancang and Nu rivers –run roughly parallel about 400 kilometers, north to south, through steep gorges of the Hengduan Mountains. The region features the magnificent view of the three giant rivers, as well as the cultural interests of various ethnic groups in the area and rich biodiversity. The
three parallel river region boasts rare high mountain landforms and outstanding biodiversity. The number of animal species alone in it accounts for more than 25 % of the nation’s total. Meanwhile, it is also a place where 16 ethnic groups are located and that pools many languages, religions and ethnic habits and cultures. Although the region only has less than 0,4 % of the total territory of China, it has more than 20 % kinds of advanced plants of the country’s total, therefore the site is an epicenter of Chinese biodiversity. It is also one of the richest temperate regions of the world, in terms of biodiversity. In 2003, UNESCO had the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas enlisted on the World Heritage List.