Yunnan - China's most beautiful province


Early Maps of Yunnan

The history of maps in Yunnan began more than a thousand years ago. But it was the Jesuits who revolutionised mapping in China, producing the first accurate maps of the provinces, including remote Yunnan.



An important Dai festival traditionally marking the beginning of the summer retreat for monks.


Judith Shapiro: Mao's War Against Nature: Politics and the Environment in Revolutionary China

Cover Image
Even if Chinese civilization has developed more against than with nature, the Mao years were a particular exercise in environmental destruction. In one case-study Shapiro tells the story of the draining of the northern part of Dianchi Lake, one of the first steps turning Kunming's lake into the fetid cess-pool it is today.


A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.

With its well-preserved architecture and tranquil atmosphere, Weishan's capital is Yunnan's most beautiful county town.


Judith Shapiro: Mao's War Against Nature: Politics and the Environment in Revolutionary China

Cover Image
Even if Chinese civilization has developed more against than with nature, the Mao years were a particular exercise in environmental destruction. In one case-study Shapiro tells the story of the draining of the northern part of Dianchi Lake, one of the first steps turning Kunming's lake into the fetid cess-pool it is today.


Yunnan's only Shui-Township with stunning karst scenery.

Markets this Friday

Kunming 昆明
Jijie 鸡街乡
Wumeng 乌蒙乡
Jinsuo 金所乡

Dali 大理
Xiangtu 象图乡
Junhua 均化
Hecun 萂村
Duomei 朵美
Shanyang 衫阳
Jiancao 捡槽
Waxi 瓦溪
Gunipen 沽泥盆
Pingchuan 平川
Wuxing 五星
Liuhe 六合
Caicun 才村
Dali 大理
Heqing 鹤庆县
Baidangping 白荡坪
Yangbi 漾濞彝族自治县
Caojian 漕间
Dacang 大仓镇
Shaxi 沙溪
Zuòyì 作邑
Yousuo 右所镇
Xishan 西山乡
Hedian 禾甸镇
大栗树
Jijie 鸡街乡
Wachang 瓦厂乡
Junhuacun 均华村
Hongyan 红岩镇
汤涧

Lijiang 丽江
Liming 黎明

Honghe 红河
Shengcun 生村
Xinhua 新华乡
Lengquan 冷泉镇
Lengdun 冷墩
Dongshan 东山镇
Shalatuo 沙拉托
Shitouzhai 石头寨
Tongchang 铜厂
Zhemi 者米拉祜族乡
Panzihua 攀枝花

Wenshan 文山
Babu 八布乡
Tiechang 铁厂镇
Zhuanjiao 篆角乡
Mulun 睦伦乡

Chuxiong 楚雄
Dalongkou 大龙口乡
Qianchang 前场镇
Mixing 弥兴镇
Jiuchang 九厂
Guihua 桂花乡

Baoshan 保山市
Xinzhai 新寨
Hehua 荷花傣族佤族乡

Lincang 临沧
Mengding 孟定
Wumulong 乌木龙乡
Nanmei 南美拉祜族乡
Banhong 班洪乡

Qujing 曲靖市
Baiwu 白雾
Daqiao 大桥乡
Leye 乐业镇
Malu 马路乡
Yema 野马林场
Yulu 雨碌乡
Zhichang 纸厂乡

Zhaotong 昭通
Shuanghe 双河

Yuxi 玉溪
Jiasa 戛洒镇
Tadian 塔甸
Xingmeng 兴蒙
Hexi 河西

Nujiang 怒江
Daxingdi 大兴地乡
Chenggan 称杆
Zilijia 子里甲乡

Puer 普洱
Jiangcheng 江城哈尼族彝族自治县
Nuofu 糯福
Dashan 大山乡
Mengma 孟马镇
Meizi 梅子镇

Diqing 迪庆
岩瓦