Blue Moon Valley is on Yunnan's Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. By all appearances, it contains some of the bluest water ever.
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Hani Rice Terrace —
The rice paddy terraces in Yunnan's Yuanyang County were developed by the Hani ethnic group more than 1,300 years ago. The views are even more stunning during sunrises or sunsets.
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Ganden Sumtseling Monastery —
Ganden Sumtseling is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Zhongdian, (also known as the Shangri-La City), located in Yunnan's Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
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Crossing the bridge rice noodles —
Guoqiaomixian is one of the most popular dishes in Yunnan. Ingredients are served separately with a piping hot bowl of chicken soup.
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Soup assembly —
Ingredients are added to the broth just before the soup is served. They're cooked in the piping hot liquid, making for a super-fresh dish.
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Tiger Leaping Gorge —
With vertical drops of more than 3,000 meters, Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest canyons in the world. By comparison, the U.S. Grand Canyon is about 1,800 meters from rim to river.
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Jade Dragon Snow Mountain —
At an elevation of more than 5,500 meters, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain plays a mystical role in the culture of the local Naxi ethnic minority.
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Old Town Lijiang —
Unusually for an ancient Chinese town, Lijiang isn't surrounded by a city wall. The charming destination dates back 1,000 years and was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Cultural Site in 1997.
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White Water Terraces —
The White Water Terraces are situated at the foothills of Haba Xueshan, a mountain on the northwestern side of Tiger Leaping Gorge.
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BBQ, Yunnan style —
Because of its location -- bordering Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar -- Yunnan cuisine uses spices and herbs more reminiscent of Southeast Asia.
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Yunnan fried cheese —
Yunnan's fried cheese is made from fresh goat's milk and has a uniquely firm texture.
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Xishuangbanna —
Xishuangbanna is an autonomous prefecture bordering the Southeast Asian countries. It's the place to experience Dai culture and see rainforests.
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Dai celebration —
Xishuangbanna is the center for China's Dai minority. In the picture are people in traditional Dai costumes to celebrate the Dai Calendar's new year.
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Sky lanterns —
Dai people celebrate their new year by splashing water and releasing thousands of sky lanterns.
