Wild Yunnan - China's Hidden Gem

China is an intriguing mystery to many trekkers and adventurers, with nowhere more compelling than the wilds of western China: pandas in Sichuan province and the wide open Tibetan plateau in Qinghai province, to say nothing of Tibet itself. Owing largely to many travelers' only superficial familiarity with China, too many of the country's most worthwhile sights and experiences are missed - possibly nowhere more than in southwesterly Yunnan province.

Beautiful Lugu Lake in Yunnan's northern mountains

Not only is Yunnan where the Himalayas fade into the sultry jungles of Southeast Asia, it is home to 25 of China's 55 ethnic minorities and some of the greatest outdoor experiences you've never heard of. The pristine natural landscapes blend with the rich variety of minority cultures to offer a wealth of memorable adventure travel opportunities.

Enjoy a Climb Dali route
over Yunnan's Er Lake

Earlier we wrote about hiking the trails in Yunnan's Tiger Leaping Gorge, reportedly the deepest gorge in the world, where a tributary of the upper Yangtze cuts between two 5,000+ meter peaks to create thundering rapids, and Celeste LeCompte has just reported on her experience rafting Yunnan's Nu River with raft guiding outfit Last Descents in her Outside Online article China's Last Wild River. 

Other organizations, such as Climb Dali, Bike Yunnan, and Action Asia's Lijiang 3-Day Ultra Marathon, offer tailored experiences that delve deep into the treasures that lie hidden in Yunnan's far corners. While the outdoor sporting market is certainly still in its fledgling stages in Yunnan, there are a growing number of credentialed guide outfits offering forays into southwest China's best kept secret.

Last Descents leads Tibetan monks on whitewater fun

One additional aspect of choosing one of Yunnan's many adventures that should not go overlooked is the invaluable difference tourism dollars can make in tipping the scales in favor of conserving, rather than developing, China's vast but shrinking natural beauty.

A laudable example, Last Descents' owner Travis Winn uses his raft guiding as a platform to raise awareness among local Chinese policy makers and the many up-and-coming Chinese who are beginning to head for the outdoors of the need for conservation efforts in many of China's lesser-known travel spots which are in danger of being overrun by China's modernization efforts.

No matter what type of adventure you are looking for, chances are Yunnan has it!