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Meaning of the name
"Cloud South", because it lies to the south of the Cloud Mountains (Yun Ling Shan).
Location
In southwestern China, about 1000 km (600 miles) west of Hong Kong.
Population
38,850,000 (1994 estimate). Although the majority of the population are Han Chinese, there are over 20 recognized ethnic minorities living in the province, including the Yi, Hui, Tibetan, Bai, Zhuang, Miao, Hani, Dai, Lisu, Va, Lahu, Naxi, Jingpo, Blang, Achang, Pumi, Nu, Benglong, Drung and Jino.
Description
About 94% of Yunnan is covered with mountains and plateaus, with the remainder consisting of basins and river valleys. The many different ecological zones in the province harbour an estimated 15,000 species of plants, 230 mammal species, 770 bird species and 130 reptile species. The more exotic species include elephants, wild oxen, and peacocks.
History
Yunnan was the location of a kingdom of Tai peoples called Nanchao until 1253 AD, when it was conquered by the Mongol empire and made a province of China. Continued at Britannica.com...
Language
The Han Chinese and members of many minority groups speak dialects of Southwestern Mandarin Chinese. The rest of the province is a patchwork of different languages, including representatives of the Tibeto-Burman, Tai, Miao-Yao, and Mon-Khmer linguistic groups.
Culture
Famous people born in Yunnan Province include:
Zheng He (1371-1435), admiral and diplomat

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With a population of 36 million, Yunnan has the most nationalities in the great family of China. There are 24 diverse minority nationalities, which include over 12 million people, constituting one third of the province's total population and one sixth of China's total minority population. They display their rich and distinctive features, such as the vastly different styles of buildings, the various colorful costumes and ornaments, the folk songs and dances brimming with idyllic flavors and very interesting marital customs. The predominate group is the Han as in China as a whole. While many languages are spoken and written by the different minorities Mandarin is the offical language. A very interesting but totally different from Chinese characters is the written language still practiced by the Naxi of Lijiang. Yunnan and Kunming in particular are home to many refugees from Viet Nam. These refugees started arriving in 1977 and today there are over 150,000 Vietnamese living in Kunming alone. Many more call the border area close to Viet Nam home. The Water Splashing Festival of the Dai, Torch Festival of the Yi and March Fair of the Bai are the main celebrations of these minorities
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Yunnan Province, ChinaChina is where the Mekong begins, as the Langcangjiang or "turbulent river". Yunnan Province, in the southwestern part of the country, is a China few modern travelers have discovered. Its landscape ranges from snowy mountain to tropical rainforest. It has clear, pure lakes, forests of stone and 25 ethnic minorities who don't just dress for tourists but honor their traditions every day.
Kunming, Yunnan's capital city is quickly becoming a trade center for the region with new rail and air services to neighboring countries and beyond.
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KunmingKunming is known as the "City of Perpetual Spring" because of its mild climate. It brings to mind, for westerners, Claire Chennault's famed Flying Tigers, daring pilots who flew "over the hump" from Bengal to help the Chinese during World War II.
Resting on a 20,000 ft. high plateau, its is a land of unique cultures, crystal blue skies and breathtaking scenery.
The Western Hills or Green Peacock Mountain overlooks Dianchi Lake, an inland sea covering 123 square miles. The Sanqing Temple, a pavilion and tea house, and the Dragon Gate, a series of caves and grottoes, rest on the sheer cliffs and offer spectacular vantage points.
The Folk Village near Kumning will eventually offer a glimpse of the lives of each of Yunnan's ethnic minorities.
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Dali Dali, 230 miles west of Kunming, is best known for Erhai Lake which stretches out some 30 miles beside it. Erhai is part of the Mekong system. Its waters are crystal clear and contain 40 varieties of fish which are harvested by fishermen aided by "fishing bird" assistants. The area produces an abundance of crops -- rice, wheat, beans, peaches and pears. Tour boats traverse the lake and visit its islands daily.
Dali is famous for its horse fairs -- which draw buyers from all over China -- and medicinal Tibetan herbs. It is also home of the Bai people, who retain their traditional dress and customs.
One of the area's outstanding sights is the Pagodas of Saintly Worship, three white spires that rise above the remains on a 9th century temple complex. Its holy relics and ornaments can be seen in an adjoining museum.
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LijiangTiger Leaping Gorge near Lijiang is one of the largest canyons in the world, 3,900m from highest point to the Jinsa river with 18 boiling rapids.
The 13 peaks of Jade Dragon Mountain resemble pillars of jade holding up the sky. The summit of Mt. Fan, the main peak, is annually snow-capped, resembliing a crystalline jade dragon.
Streams run through the ancient town of Lijiang. Having no walls, the surrounding mountains served as its fortress. The area is home to the Naxi people and the Dongba culture with its own forms of painting, music and dance.
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Thank you reading. Best wishes from Chong