Yunnan Discovery
Minority Peoples, a touch of Tibet, Tiger Leaping Gorge

The modern city of Kunming is one of China's most pleasant and has some excellent markets tucked away in the quaint back streets.

Explore the wonderful town surrounded on one side by mountains that are snow-capped most of the year, and on the other side by the spectacular Lake Erhai. There are plenty of active options including cycling along the lake, visiting local villages and markets, or trekking up to the famous 2 Pagodas. For a more relaxed pace, wander the old town's cobbled lanes, enjoy a boat trip on or take a day trip into the countryside to see the local Bai people's' traditional way of life.

Wander the cobblestone alleyways of the World Heritage-listed Old Town of Lijiang or watch a Dongba music performance or take a ride past the enormous snow-capped Jade Dragon Mountain.This area is home to the Naxi - a matrilineal society descended from Tibetan nomads - and you'll have ample opportunities to meet them if you explore the morning market.

Watch the mighty Yangzi as it thunders through the incredible Tiger Leaping Gorge as we head into the edge of the Tibetan world - the sacred meili Mountain and the town of Zhongdian with its huge and active monastery.

This is a trip which reveals the incredible diversity the province has to offer - villages and minority peoples; markets, homestays and sumptuous food all backed by a dramatic landcsape.