This is a journey to the various nationalities of the south-west province Yunnan and the central province of Sichuan. You will get to know very old, almost untouched cultures with unique traditions and customs on the edge of a modernising China. Starting from Kunming, the capital of the south-west province Yunnan, we will explore the following cities and places one by one: Dali, Lijiang, Lugu Lake, Daocheng and Kangding. Our exploration of this region will end in Chengdu, the capital city of the province Sichuan, and from there we will fly to Beijing. Dali is a beautiful old town located in the Cang Shan mountain range at the Erhai Lake 2000 m above sea level. It is well-known for its pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. Lijiang is a famous ancient city of the Naxi-nationality and has also got a pleasant flair. The most mysterious place of this trip is the Lugu Lake. It is located in the remote region of the Mosu people, a branch of the Naxi-nationality. They live at the shore of the lake and are peculiar because of their old traditions and customs with regard to the gender relationship - they were able to keep a sort of matriarchy. Their society is based on a maternal system i.e. neither women nor men get married, they only live with their lovers and the women are allowed to have several boyfriends at the same time. Along the valley of the Jinsha Jiang (the later Yangtze Kiang) we will continue our journey to the south-east of Tibet and pass many Tibetan villages. We will have a hike to the glacier of the so called ˝Meili-Snow Mountain˝ before heading for Yading near Daocheng which is fabled as Shangri-La - the Heaven of Peace. Shangri-La is the centre of the Tibetan culture, the heart of Buddhism. In the near of it are the so called ˝Three Ice Mountains˝: Xianuoduoji, Yangmaiyong and Xiannairi. Their summits are all about 6000 m above sea level. We are going to hike this spectacular mountainous region for seven days, enjoying a fantastic, almost dreamlike landscape of snow, ice and alpine pastures spotted with flowers. Having finished this trail we will travel to Kangding, the capital of the autonomous prefecture of Ganzi-Tibetan in the province of Sichuan. This city is well-known for its Kangba-culture. You will be fascinated by these friendly people with their unique colourful costumes and peculiar traditions. Chengdu, the so called ˝City of Brokate˝ and allegedly home of the most beautiful women of China, will be our last destination in this part the country. From here via Beijing a plane will bring you home. After this trip to the various nationalities of this region you will certainly have a better understanding of its people. travelling duration: 21 days. days of trekking: 9 days. best travelling time: May, June, September, October.
