Yunnan is home to a mix of peoples, traditions and landscapes unrivalled anywhere on earth. From the edge of the Tibetan Plateau to the tropical jungles travel through minority villages andlakeside towns, witness the passage of the world's greatest rivers - Yangzi and Mekong; taste the food, enjoy the music and meet families in their homes.

Dali is 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 - wander the old town's cobbled lanes and wooden houses, enjoy a boat trip on the lake 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 before saddling up for a scenic ride past the enormous snow-capped Jade Dragon Mountain.

Recently re-named Shangri-la, Zhongdian's links are with the eastern Tibetan region of Kham - and its monastery is one of the regions finest.