Yunnan – China’s exotic province in the far South West
We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. We think the world of western China and the countries that border on this region – think Vietnam, Lao, Thailand, Myanmar, for example. On the Road Experiences is all about sharing with like-minded travelers just how beautiful a road journey in these varied lands can be. Now turn the page to find out what we’ve come to love so much…
p2
p3
Map of Yunnan...
p. 006
Yunnan at a glance…
p. 008
Journey of Discovery…
p. 010
Colorful minorities in Yunnan...
p. 064
International Hotels
p. 066
Beautiful small boutique hotels...
p. 068
Adventures & discoveries in local cuisines...
p. 070
What’s included when you travel with us...
p. 072
What we are standing for? Our promise to you!
p. 074
Photo credits...
p. 077
p5
Yunnan Map
p6
KUNMING
TACHENG
LIJIANG
XIZHOU
SHANGRI-LA
XISHUANGBANNA
DEQEN
YUANYANG
Yunnan at a glance Far beyond the sprawling cities of China’s east coast is a place where daily life is still governed by age-old tradition; where rare species of flora and fauna live in valleys cloaked in ancient forest, and where the dramatic mountains of eastern Tibet abut the steamy lowlands of South-East Asia. This is Yunnan. In China’s far southwest, bordered by Vietnam, Laos, Burma and Tibet, Yunnan is arguably the country’s most diverse province. Home to twenty-five of the country’s 56 ethnic minorities, Yunnan’s borders encompass landscapes ranging from snow-swept mountains to languid palm-thatched villages, and its area supports amazing levels of biodiversity – fully half of China’s bird and mammal species can be found here, in just 4% of the nation’s landmass. It is this happy accident of geography, culture and nature – and the chance to experience so much in a single place – that makes Yunnan such a worthwhile destination. The laidback provincial capital, Kunming, sits towards Yunnan’s northeast, where its mild year-round climate has earned the province’s Chinese name, “South of the Clouds”. Southeast of Kunming, where the land sweeps down to the Vietnamese border, the hills are home to the near-vertical rice terraces around Yuanyang, emerald green in summer, their waters glittering silver in winter. Continue due south, and temperatures climb as you approach tropical Xishuangbanna, its forests home to wild elephants and strutting peacocks, its culture closer to that of neighbouring Laos than that of China proper. Yunnan’s far west, criss-crossed by the ghosts of old trade routes and pocked by extinct volcanoes, allows gentle exploration of the Burmese border. Finally, in northwest Yunnan, the already mile-high Yunnan Plateau rises in serrated, snowbound peaks and a chain of characterful and historic old towns – Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La – provide resting places for visitors. In tandem with Yunnan’s many attractions, the province offers excellent accommodation and good infrastructure. Luxury hotel chains including Aman, Anantara, Banyan Tree and Intercontinental all have outposts here, along with several outstanding locally-owned groups of luxury boutique hotels, the likes of which are seldom seen elsewhere in China. On the Road Experiences has paved the way for you to explore and enjoy all this in your own properly insured SUV, so that you can enjoy the romance of a classic overland journey without any of the logistical headaches that typically accompany such journeys.
p9
p11
Kawagebo peak in the Meili Snow Mountain range
What a SUNRISE at the EDGE of TIBET …”
p13
A colourful WELCOME as you APPROACH TIBET...”
Tibetan prayer flags
p15
Shangri-La’s Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
Along the way, one of the LARGEST MONASTERIES in SOUTH-WEST China…”
p17
RED-ROBED MONKS in Shangri-La�
At the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
p19
A chance to PURIFY YOUR MIND?�
Prayer Session at Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
p21
The Yangtze’s upper reaches
Your JOURNEY in the THREE PARALLEL RIVERS region...”
p23
Tacheng
HIGH in the mountains of NORTHWESTERN Yunnan..”
p25
Visiting the CUTEST MONKEYS in the world…”
Yunnan Snub-Nosed monkeys
p27
On the way from Shangri-La to Lijiang
JOYFUL driving on fantastic BACK ROADS…”
p29
Tiger Leaping Gorge
The TIGER LEAPING GORGE… where the YANGTZE makes you TREMBLE!…”
p31
LIJIANG is touristy, but there ARE HIDDEN GEMS to DISCOVER…”
Jade Lake not far from Lijiang...
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain seen from the Black Dragon Pool, Lijiang…
p33
“Impression Lijiang” directed by Zhang Yimou
A fantastic CULTURAL SHOW staged at the JADE SNOW MOUNTAIN…”
p35
Lijiang Old Town
The lovely winding alleys of Lijiang’s old town are a UNESCO World Heritage site…”
p37
Naxi minority lady in Yuhu, near Lijiang
Where DR. Joseph Rock lived and worked to INTRODUCE northwest YUNNAN to the outside word…”
p39
Xizhou
Awaking in China’s RURAL…”
p41
Lake Erhai, Xizhou, near Dali
Take a lake shore DRIVE and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL sunset reflections…”
p43
Along the Red river
Fishermen on the RED RIVER at SUNSET…”
p45
The Yuanyang Rice Terraces
MAGIC REFLECTIONS at SUNRISE…”
p47
A village near Xinjie
Not only RICE TERRACES, but also CHARMING Villages…”
p49
An Yi minority women in Yuanyang
Wonderful SMILES are NATURAL and FREQUENT in YUNNAN’s countryside…”
p51
A typical provincial road in South-West Yunnan
Country roads, where DRIVING is pure joy…”
p53
In tropical Xishuangbanna
Time for a ROAD SIDE break…”
p55
Tea trees in Xishuangbanna
XISHUANGBANNA, where TEA thrives…”
p57
XISHUANGBANNA, the home of Yunnan’s DAI MINORITY …”
Dai minority village in Xishuangbanna
p59
Aini minority lady in Xishuangbanna
XISHUANGBANNA, home as well to MANY smaller MINORITIES…”
p61
Golden-robed MONKS in XISHUANGBANNA are a commonplace...�
A young monk in Xishuangbanna
p63
Colorful Minorities in Yunnan
Tibetan Minority (藏族
Bai Minority (白族)
Naxi Minority (納西族
族)
Yi Minority (彝族)
族)
Lisu Minority (傈僳族)
p65
International Hotels
Banyan Tree, Lijiang
Banyan Tree, Lijiang
Banyan Tree, Ringha
Banyan Tree, Ringha
Anantara Xishuangbanna
Anantara Xishuangbanna
Amandayan Lijiang
Amandayan Lijiang
p67
Beautiful Small Boutique Hotels
Songtsam Lodge, Tacheng
Linden Center, Xizhou
Baochengfu, Xizhou
Linden Center, Xizhou
Songtsam Lodge, Meili
Songtsam Lodge, Shangri-La
Songstam Lodge, Benzilan
Songtsam Lodge, Shangri-La
p69
Adventures & Discoveriese in Local Cuisines
Yunnan’s food is one of the province’s best-kept secrets. With a huge variety of dishes using fresh ingredients that can only be sourced locally, it’s seldom found outside the province, making exploring the flavours of Yunnan a highlight of any journey in this beautiful region. Freshwater fish, fresh herbs and exotic produce dominate in southern kitchens, while farther north many ingredients familiar to Europeans emerge in new guises – wind-cured hams, wild mushrooms and fresh goat’s cheese are all part of the traditional cuisine, and black truffles have become one of the region’s most lucrative exports. Like their northern neighbours in Sichuan, Yunnanese people p70
enjoy spicy food. Unlike Sichuan’s tongue-numbing hotpot, however, Yunnan’s spices are more subtle – often mixed with fragrant black cardamom – and frequently optional, popping up in dipping sauces or side dishes, making meals easy for those with spice-shy palates to negotiate. Finally, Yunnan is also the home of Pu’er tea. Made from the leaves of gnarled wild tea trees and aged for up to 30 years, this delicious tea is as rich in antioxidants as it is in flavor, making it the perfect drink to round off a Yunnanese meal…
p71
What’s included when you travel with us Generally speaking, our journey packages and prices are all-inclusive. Once you’ve paid and you arrive at the starting point, you really won’t have to take out your wallet again. • Cars – a modern SUV is provided for all driving days, expertly maintained and serviced by Avis, Hertz, or other reputable car rental companies, and covered by the best insurance available, and hire car return back to Kunming is also included • International Journey Host, Guide and Support Vehicle – you will be accompanied by a registered Chinese tour guide, an On the Road in China host and a fully equipped lead car with a local support driver • Routes – we provide an extensively researched and carefully designed itinerary and state-ofthe-art satellite navigation system with a preprogrammed route for the journey. You will also receive a detailed pre-departure pack and route book for the journey • Driving License – You will need a temporary Chinese driving license for which all arrangements and fees are included. • Fuel & Tolls – we provide petrol for the car throughout the journey and pay all tolls p72
• Flight – Your domestic flights along the itinerary are included • Airport Transfers – all airport transfers are included • Hotels – the best available or five-star accommodation is included in each overnight stop
• Other Essentials – we provide each car with walky-talkies • Laundry – your laundry cleaning along the itinerary (where practical) • Travel Insurance – 24-hour medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation emergency service provided by International SOS is included, as is cancellation insurance • Tips & Entrance Fees – basic tips and entrance fees for jointly attended activities are included • Activities, Meals, Transport during ‘free times’ as indicated in this Journey Dossier • Top-up Collision Damage Waiver insurance
• Meals – breakfast (a choice of Western and Local is provided), and lunch and dinner are included on all driving days, as are drinks. Meals on non-driving days as specified above. Prepare for a culinary adventure! • Goodies – you will enjoy an On the Road HomeAway-from-Home Kit containing wet towels, anti-bacterial gel and basic toiletries, and a daily picnic basket containing fresh fruit, fruit juice, water, and a mixture of sweets and nibbles
What’s Not Included The only items not included are your flights to and from Kunming, your China visa, and personal purchases (e.g., gifts, souvenirs).
p73 p73
What we are standing for? Our promise to you! HIDDEN GEMS
FRONT ROW SEATS
Discover HIDDEN GEMS of unspoiled cultural and scenic beauty
Take FRONT ROW SEATS and experience local culture up-closeand-personal
BACK ROADS
BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Seek out BACK ROADS and get away from the crowds
Venture BEHIND THE CURTAIN and see things as they really are
‌ and a team that is passionate, delivers outstanding customer service and pays attention to the tiniest little detail to give you a once in a lifetime experience.
p76
Photo Credits
© Alvin Lee – page 10 © Amandayan Lijiang – pages 67(bottom) © Anantara Xishuangbanna – pages 67(top) © Andy Wong – page 20 © Baochengfu, Xizhou – page 68 © Bayan Tree Lijiang – pages 66(top) © Bayan Tree Ringha – pages 66(bottom) © Cathy Choi – page 71(egg) © Jo James – page 60 © Linden Centre – page 68 © Liam Wynn-Williams – page 46 © Peter Schindler – Front & back cover, pages 3, 4, 12, 22, 24, 28, 32, 34, 42, 44, 50, 52, 54, 58, 70(bottom), 72 © Ron Yue – pages 14, 16, 18, 26, 30, 36, 38, 48, 56, 62, 6465(Tibetan, Naxi, Yi Minority), 70(top), 74, 75, 76, 79 © Songtsam Lodge Benzilan – page 69 © Songtsam Lodge Meili – page 69 © Songtsam Lodge Shangri-La – page 69 © Songtsam Lodge Tacheng – pages 8, 68 Unknown – pages 65(Lisu Minority), 71(ham), 71(right top&bottom) Map page - page 7 © Peter Schindler - Kunming, Xizhou, Shangri-La, Yuanyang © Ron Yue - Lijiang, Xishangbanna © Sean Meng - Tacheng © Songstam Lodge Deqin - Deqen
p77
Contact Us
E-mail contact@ontheroadexperiences.com Main office Telephone: Fax:
+852 3106 4839 +852 3012 1251
Overseas Taiwan: Australia: Switzerland: UK: Germany:
+886 921 162 079 +61 2 8003 5317 +41 (44) 586 58 43 +44 121 288 6879 +49 160 9622 2506 +49 170 839 0616
A picture is worth a thousand words. True, but when it comes to a road journey, moving images are priceless. Please visit :
�
http://www.ontheroadexperiences.com/experience/videos/ p78
p79