Tucked in the south-central nook of China, mountainous Yunnan (meaning "south of the clouds") is closer to Tibet, Laos, and Vietnam than Beijing. Its combination of a striking diversity of landscapes—from snowy rugged peaks to lush jungle—and diversity of ethnicities—like the Naxi, Yi, and Tibetan minorities—makes it a hub of adventure travel. Peek into the ancient city of Lijiang, made up of stone streets, markets, and canals, before heading into the hills. Tiger Leaping Gorge, a plunging canyon carved by the Yangtze River and lined with terraces, is one of the area's best treks.
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