Situated in the southwestern borderland of China and noted for magnificent landscape, agreeable climate, and fascinating life styles of ethnic group people, Yunnan provinceyunnan is a multi-functional tourist resort for sightseeing, acquiring knowledge, exploring wonders and pursuing enjoyment. It is a provinceyunnan with the greatest variety of ethnic groups in China. A diverse history and different lifestyle have made Ynnan a museum of human society. Their distinctive cultures, folkways, costumes and architectural styles seem to unfold before the eyes scroll of genre paintings with a riot of colors, the captivating festivals there, such as the Water Springling Festival in Xishuangbanna and Dehong, will make the tourist immersed in a sea of joy and excitement.

Embracing 250 square kilometers, Erhai Lake lies at the eastern foot of the Cangshan Mountains and is a famous fresh-water lake, 40 kilometers long from north to south, 7 to 8 kilometers wide from east to west, lying on a plateau of 1,980 meters above sea level. The crescent-shaped lake contains crystal cool water. In praise of the beautiful scenery, people often say “Ten thousand acres of water reflect the sky like a mirror and the surrounding mountains stand there like an evergreen screen in all the four seasons.” The lake teems with fish, such as mackerel, silver crap, crucian carp, stingrays, variegated carps and others. The lake shapes like an ear, and waves are big enough in the lake, hence the name.

The Butterfly Spring is situated at the foot of Yunnong Peak of Cangshan Mountain. The water here is crystal clear and the place where the spring bubbles up attracts people with its tranquility. Lengend has it that once upon a time, a beautiful and industrious maiden by the name of Wengu lived beside the pool. One day the local despot caught sight of her and, stunned by her beauty, wanted her as his eighth concubine. The girl turned down, but her tormentor kept insisting until she and her lover, a woodcutter named Xialang, drowned themselves together in the pool. All of a sudden, a crack appeared in the bottom of the pool and a pair of butterflies flew out. They danced and pursued each other; a host of butterflies of many kinds came to be known as “Butterfly Spring,” hence the name. It is a fact that on the fifteenth day of the fourth month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar thousands of butterflies converge on the camphor tree, and many tourists come especially to view the spectacle.

To add to its list of attractions, UNESCO recognized the Ancient Town of Lijiang as a World Heritage site in 1997. Nestled beneath snow-capped peaks, Lijiang is a living museum as it is home to the Naxi people who have steadfastly preserved their centuries-old heritage. They still live in traditional homes, play ancient music and celebrate ethnic festivals with vitality. It is such qualities which now make Lijiang a prized draw card for Yunnan’s tourism promoters. Tourism in Lijiang experienced sharp growth in the past few years thanks to its rich tourist resources. Lijiang’s charms are due entirely to its remaining an ordinary town and home to one of the China’s 55 ethnic group communities. Thanks to Lijiang’s remoteness, the Naxi people have successfully resisted the type of development, which is rapidly changing the face of China.