Brief Introduction of Yunnan Province

** Geography and Natural Conditions
Area: 394,000 sq km
Population: 44.504 million at the end of 2005
Yunnan Province is located in southwest China and about 2000m above sea level. The province borders Guangxi and Guizhou in the east, Sichuan in the north, and Tibet in the northwest. It shares a border of 4,060 km with Myanmar in the west, Laos in the south, and Vietnam in the southeast. It is located in Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The hilly land occupied 93 percent of the area. Moreover, the basin only occupied 6 percent. The topography is complicated. Approximately, the northwestern part is higher than the southern part. Most of the inhabitants of Yunnan live on a relatively low plateau in the east. An inaccessible high plateau, dissected by deep gorges, dominates the western areas.The rivers are parts of Jinsha River, Nu River, Nan Pan River, Yuan River and Yiluowadi River. Ethnic minorities, including Yi, Miao, Dai, and Tibetans, constitute about a quarter of the total population.
** Climate
Yunnan has a diverse climate, embracing temperate, tropical and rigid zones in one province.
The climate in Yunnan, affected by the low latitudes, monsoons and the mountainous plateau, has four common features. Firstly, it has little difference in the seasonal temperature but considerable difference of temperature in a day. In summer, there are so many rainy days that the clouds screen the sun. Even in the hottest days, the average temperature is 66.2F～71.6F. In winter, affected by the dry and warm currents, there are more sunny days with plenty of sunshine. The average temperature in the coldest month is above 42.8F～46.4F. As a result, the difference in the seasonal temperature is usually 50F～59F. Secondly, Yunnan received plenty of rainfall, but its rainfall is unevenly distributed. An annual rainfall of above 1,100 mm pours on most of Yunnan. The largest amount, about 60 percent of the total in a year, falls from June to August. Thirdly, the climate changes obviously with the altitude. As the temperature changes with the latitude, so it changes with the altitude. Finally, Yunnan has a long frost—free period. Even in such colder areas as Diqing, Zhaotong, the frost—free period is about 210～220 days. In central Yunnan, it is about 250 days. In addition, in some other places, it is about 250 to 330 days. However, there is no frost throughout the year in the southern borders.
** Brief History
Yunnan is one of the cradles of life on the earth. The discovery in Chengjiang County in 1994 of the Maotianshan Zoolith of the early Cambrian Period, which were about 5.3 hundred million years ago, is regarded in the international paleobiological world as one of the most amazing discoveries of the 20th century. Yunnan is one of the important birthplaces of human beings. Since 1956 this has been proved by the discoveries of Lama anthropoid fossils in Kaiyuan (14 million years ago), in Lufeng (8 million years ago), and in Hudie in Yuanmou (about 3-4 million years ago). The pithecanthropus discovered in Yunnan in 1965 (1.7 million years ago) is up to now the earliest fossil of human beings in both China and Asia, thus indicating the beginning of Chinese history.
In Xia Dynasty (about 2050 BC—1600 BC) Yunnan was within Liangzhou. During the Shang periods (16th BC--11th BC) southwestern minorities inhabited in Yunnan. During the period of the Warring States (476 BC--221 BC) established the Kingdom of Dian. In Qin Dynasty (221 BC--207 BC) had united the six states, he ordered the building of five-chi-wide road between Yibin in Sichuan and Qujing in Yunnan, and also appointed officials to administrate it, which indicated the beginning of the Chinese central government rule over Yunnan. In 109 BC, the Han Government commanded its troops to enter the Erhai area and set up Yizhou Prefecture, including Yunnan County (the present Xiangyun County). That was the first official record of  ''Yunnan''. Yunnan means ''South of the Clouds.'' In 69 of the Eastern Han Dynasty established his rule in Yunnan. Kingdom of Dali, which lasted for 315 years with 22 successive kings and the Kingdom of Nanzhao, which lasted for 247 years with 13 kings successively on the throne, were two important periods in history, starting and ending almost at the same time as the Tang (618--907)and the Song Dynasties (960--1127). Dali was then the political center of Yunnan. In 1253, Kublai Khan commanded the Mongolian troops to conquer the Kingdom of Dali. Then the Yuan Government set up the province of Yunnan as one of the eleven province of China. Since then Yunnan has been a provincial administration, and the capital was moved from Dali to Kunming. In 1381 the Ming Government commanded its troops to enter and control Yunnan, and then many people immigrated here to open wasteland. From then on, the Han people became the majority group in Yunnan, while other ethnic groups became the minority nationalities.
** Local Customs and Traditions
At the end of 2004, the total population stood at 44.152 million, of whom the Han took up 66.82 percent; ethnic minorities took up 33.18 percent. Among the 16 sub-provincial prefectures, Qujing has the largest population and Diqing the smallest. There are 25 registered minorities, including the Achang, Bai, Bouyei, Bulang, Dai, Deang, Dulong, Hani, Hui, Jingpo, Jinuo, Lahu, Lisu, Man, Miao, Mongols, Naxi, Nu, Pumi, Shui, Tibetan, Wa, Yao, Yi, and Zhuang.
The Achang Nationality is only 29,000. The Achang people have their own language, which belongs to the Tibet-Burman Branch of the Sino-Tibetan Language Family (Achang Branch). Many Achang people speak Mandarin and the Dai language. Some speak the Jingpo language and Burmese. They use Han and Dai writing systems. The Achang people believe in supernatural beings and worship their ancestors. They also believe in Hinayana Buddhism. The Achang people are good at singing folk songs.
The Bai Nationality is about 1.39 million. The Bai People holds the white color in high esteem, which means white people. The Bai people regard white as an honorable color and like to wear white clothes. They have their own spoken language that belongs to the Tibeto-Burman Stock of the Sino-Tibetan Language Family. Besides Buddhism and Taoism, the worship of Patron God is most popular. The Patron God Temple can be found in almost every village. Patron God is the Guardian of a village or a region.
The Bouyei Nationality Now they inhabit in the Luoping, Fuyuan and Shizhong with a population of 34 thousand. The wax-dyeing techniques are well known. The men and women have the blue, black and white dresses. From the March to July a year, there are the feasts in each month.
The Bulang Nationality has a population of 85,000. Bulang nationality has its own langrage, which belongs to the Mon-Khmer Branch of the Southern Asian Language Family (Bulang Branch). They use the Han and the Dai language as their writing systems. They believe in primitive religion. Influenced by the Dai nationality, they also believe in Theravada.
The Dai Nationality is over about 1 million. The first scene is buildings by buildings of bamboo cottage hidden by green trees. Dai people have a long bamboo construction history of thousand years; this construction style is very suitable for southern subtropical climate. Tattooing and dying teeth are ancient custom of Dai people, which is prevailing. Dai Nationality believe in Buddhism.
The Deang Nationality has a population of 16,400. The Deang people have their own language, which belongs to the Mon-Khmer Branch of the South Asian Langrage family (Deang Branch). Having no writing system, they use the characters of the Han and the Dai. Most Deang people believe in Hinayana Buddhism. They have a long history of tea planting, and are quite experienced growers. Therefore, they are called "the Ancient Tea Growers". The Deang people have the custom of tattooing their bodies. They are fond of chewing tobacco and Luxi for the sake of protecting the teeth.
The Dulong Nationality with a population of 6,000 is the smallest ethnic group in Yunnan Province. They have their own oral language but no writing system. The majority of the Dulong people believe in their own primitive religion, but some believe in Christianity.
The Hani Nationality  has a population of about 1.29 million. Their language belongs to the Tibet-Burma Stock of the Sino-Tibetan Language Family. However, they do not have their own writing system. They engage in farming and are good at making terraced fields. They believe in a multi-god religion and their wizards are called "Beima" and "Nima". Their typical houses are buildings on poles and cob-walled houses. The Hani people cherish black color. Their clothes are often made of the cloth made by them.
The Jingpo Nationality with a population of about 121,900, they use two languages, namely the Jinpo and the Zaiwa languages, which belong to the Tibeto-Burman Branch of the Sino-Tibetan Language Family (Jingpo Branch). They are fond of drinking wine, chewing tobacco, Luzi and betel nuts. They believe in a primitive multi-god religion, and a few of them are Christians.
The Jinuo Nationality is only 18,000.  They live in compact communities in the Jinuo mountain area of Jinghong City in Xishuangbanna Prefecture. The Jinuo people believe in primitive religion. They worship the sun and have their costumes and bags embroidered with the patterns of the sun. The Sun Drum is their important religious tool and Sun Drum Dance is their unique dance.
The Lahu Nationality has a population of about 412,800. Lahu people have their own language that belongs to Tibeto-Burman Branch of the Sino-Language Family. The majority of them believe in primitive religion and Mahayana Buddhism; some believe in Christianity.
The Lisu Nationality is 580,000. Lisu people have their own language, which belongs to the Tibeto-Burman Branch of the Sino-Tibetan Language Family (Yi Brach). In 1975 Chinese Government helped them to create their new writing system in Latin. In the course of production, Lisu people created their unique Natural Calendar, which were based on the topographical feature and the climates.
The Miao Nationality are 896 thousand people. They speak Miao language, which is the Miao branch of the family of Myanmar, and Tibetan language. Miao women are good at the spinning, embroidery and wax dyeing. Miao nationality believes in original religion.
The Naxi Nationality has a population of 281,000. They called themselves "Na". "Naxi" mean people who worship black or a nation. The Naxi people have a splendid culture, of which the most important one is the Dongba language that consists of the only surviving hieroglyphic characters in the world, The Naxi people have their own language, which belongs to the Tibet-Burmese Branch of the Sino-Tibetan language Family (Yi Branch). The Naxi people believe in Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism and Lamaism. The Mosuo people, a branch of the Naxi nationality, still keep the unique Axia marital custom, and the trace of a matrilineal system can still be seen in this group. Therefore, they are called the "Living Fossil" for a study of the development of human family and marriage.
The Nu Nationality has a population of only 27,000. The language of the Nu nationality belongs to the Tibeto-Burman Branch of Sino-Tibetan Language family. They use the Han writing system. The majority of them believes in primitive religion and worships their ancestors, but some believe in Lamaism and Christianity. The Nu people are good at playing musical instruments. Their major musical instruments are Pipa (lute), Kouxuan, Dizi (Chinese flute) and Hulusheng.
The Pumi Nationality has a population of only 31,000. The Pumi people have their own language that belongs to the Tibeto-Burman Branch of the Sino-Tibetan Language family, but the branch has not been made certain yet .Most of them can speak Mandarin, the Bai and the Naxi languages. They have adopted the Han and the Tibetan writing systems. They believe in primitive religion and regard the white-fronted tiger as their totem.
The Shui Nationality with only 7 thousand people, at the marriage of Shui nationality, they still are keeping their old traditional customs, the young couples understand each other through the courses of working, living and playing, then proposing the marriage through the matchmaker, holding the party of Huotangjiu (drinking for engagement), fixing the date for wedding ceremony. At the day of ceremony, they will have the Tongguwu Dance and Lushenwu Dance (kinds of dancing with the bronze drums and a kind of music instrument). Their key feast is the "Guodanjie".
The Wa Nationality has a population of 360,200. Their language, which includes four dialects, belongs to the Mon-Khmer Branch of the southern Aisian Language Family, (Wa-deang Branch). The majority of the Wa people believe in primitive religion, but those from the Cangyuan region believe in Hinayana Buddhism. The costumes of Wa people are unique, characterized by those in the Ximeng region, They like black clothes with red decoration. Wa people are fond of singing and dancing. Their dances are rich on content and varied in form, overflowing with enthusiasm.
The Yao Nationality With a population of 173 thousand, they have no own characters and use the Chinese as their language. Yao women are good at the embroidering; love the pretty embroidery patterns on the neck part of garments. They believe in the original religion. The main holiday is the "Panwang Feast"; they would celebrate it by the ways of singing and dancing.
The Yi Nationality With the population of 4.05 million, their language is a branch of the family of Tibetan and Myanmar languages. Yi lives in a type of house of wood timbers battlement. The fire of fireplace (a hollow dug on the ground) is never put off a year around in their houses. It is the living center of the family so called "Fireplace Culture". Yi's nature is so forthright, good at drinking, singing and having a felt on the back. They prefer to the black color. Yi nation believes in the Master of Soil and multi-Gods religion. Their main holiday is the "Festival of Torch" around in March.
** Shopping
Handicrafts Woven Out of Bamboo Strips, Dai Brocade, Tie-Dyed Cloth of Dali, Tin Craftworks in Gejiu City, Wutongzouyin (Silver Patterns on Black Bronze), Mottled Bronze, Collybia Mushroom, Songrong Mushroom (matzitaki), Pearl Pear of Chenggong, Yiliang Roast Duck, Steam -Pot Chicken, Across-the-Bridge Rice Noodles, Yunnan Baiyao (rare medicinal herbs), Chinese Angelica, Tianma, Chongcao (Chinese caterpillar fungus), Sanqi (pseudo-ginseng), etc.

** World Geographic Park
Stone Forest Geopark in Kunming City
** World Heritages
1. Three Parallel Rivers (2003)
2. Old Town of Lijiang (1997)
** National AAAAA Tourist Attractions
1.Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang City
2.Stone-Forest in Kunming City
** National AAAA Tourist Attractions 
1.World Horticulture Expo Garden in Kunming
2.Yunnan Nationality Village in Kinming City
3.Menglun tropical botanical garden in Jinhong 
4.Golden Hall Scenic Area in Kunming Ctiy
5.Jiuxiang Scenic Area in Yiliang County of Kunming City
6.The Dai Ethnic Garden in Jinhong City
7.Xishuangbanna Tropical Forest in Jinhong
8.Nanzhao Amorous-feelings Island in Dali City
9.Alu Old Caves in Luxi County of Kunming
10.Multicolor Sand Scenic Area in Luliang County of Qujing City
11.Three Towers of Chongsheng Temple in Dali City
12.Jiulong Waterfalls in Luoping County of Qujing City
13.Hot-springs Scenic Area in Tengchong County of Baoshan City
14.Swallow Caves in Jianshui City of Honghe
15.Jizu Mountain in Binchuan County of Dali
16.Dehong Nandian Xuanfusishu (Tusi Old Building) in Lianghe County of Baoshan City
17.Mengbanaxi Garden in Luxi City of Dehong
18.Moli Tropic Forest in Ruili City
19.Wild Elephant Valley in Jinghong City
20.Yushui Stockaded Village in Lijiang City
21.Lijiang Old Town in Lijiang City
22.Fountainhead of Zhu River in Zhanyi County of Qujing City
23.Xiushan Park in Tonghai County of Yuxi
** National Key Scenic Area
1.Stone-Forest in Kunming City
2.Dali Scenic Area including Cangshan Mountian, Erhai Sea, Jianchuan Shibao Mountian, Jizu Mountain, Weibao Mountain and Zibi Lake Hot-spring in Dali City
3.Xishuangbanna Scenic Area in Jinhong City 
4.Dianchi Scenic Area in Kunming City
5.Redi Volcano Scenic Area in Tengchong County of Baoshan City
6.Ruili River---Daying River in Ruili City of Dehong Dai & Jinpo autonomous Prefecture
7.Puzhehei Scenec Area in Qiubei County of Wenshan City
8.Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
9.Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang City
10.Jiuxiang Scenic Area in Yiliang County of Kunming Ctiy
11.Jianshui Scenic Area in Jianshui Ctiy of Honghe City
12.Alu Old Caves in Luxi County of Kunming
** National famous historic and cultural cities
Kunming City, Lijiang City, Jianshui City, Weishan City, Dali City

Kunming city is the provincial capital of Yunnan Province, which has an area of 15.6 thousand square kilometers and a population of 3.6 million. Kunming is situated at the high plateau of the eastern part of Yunnan Province. To the south is the biggest Dian Lake of Yunnan Province. It belongs to the subtropical plateau monsoon climatic zone; the annual average temperature is 58.46F and the yearly precipitation, 1024 mm. Kunming City is China's famous historic cultural city. Because it is evergreen everywhere like spring all the year round with flowers blooming everywhere, the city is known as "City of Spring" or "City of Flowers". It is indeed a well-known site for sightseeing and a summer resort.