Our first stop was Jingtan Lake in Lijiang, which has beautiful blue waters. This lake left a strong impression on me because of a Zhang Yimou’s “Impression of Lijiang.” This musical tells the history and culture of local ethnic minorities.The local customs were surprising. For instance, local residents eat more meat than vegetables because the water they drink is more alkaline, which makes people easily hungry. Thanks to this special diet, local people have a relatively low ratio to have cancer.

During the time in Shangri-la, I had a chance to stay with a local family. I ate delicious local food and watched some special performances. Most of the local residents are experts at dancing and very welcoming. My host family lives in a house that is big enough to accommodate two or three hundred people when residents from the next village visit all at once. During my stay, I was happy to dance and drink with the owner of the house. He told me there is a party, where guests dance until the floor breaks. The floor breaking signifies good luck and the host gives the guest who broke the floor a yak as a gesture of appreciation. The owner told me the yak Yunan’s favorite animal and a treasure to them.

I would also like to leave some useful tips for you when you get a chance to visit the amazing Yunnan!

1. The temperatures vary dramatically from morning to night. Layer up and bring a jacket!
2. Yulong Mountain is not for the young or the elderly –it’s a challenge to climb.
3. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated!
4. Yunan is at a higher altitude so bring along some medicine to help you deal with the difference in altitude.