“Yunnan, “Shangri-La” over the Horizon”

Panoramic China

It is easy to have a quick look at China´s past and present, but it takes time to gain a panoramic knowledge of China. The “Panoramic China” series is meant to assist readers, especially those overseas, in this respect. Each volume in the series focuses on a province, municipality or autonomous region, describing, with illustrations, the outstanding characteristics of each area from different perspectives.

Of all China´s provinces, Yunnan is the one with the largest concentration of ethnic minority peoples. It is here in Yunnan that the mingling of different ethnic groups, their ways of life and their cultures are most richly and distinctively displayed.

This is a land that abounds with sacred mountains and holy waters, quiet pristine hamlets and unpolluted old towns, verdant grasslands set off by snow mountains, quiet blue valleys in moonlight, and lush magical rainforests. The land also boasts its old music and written languages, mystical dances and customs. Different religions and folk traditions mingle here, all retaining their original character. For millennia different ethnic groups have lived and multiplied on this land in peace and harmony.