昭通市

Why this place

Zhaotong is a high, mountainous prefecture in the northeast of Yunnan, where the province meets Guizhou and Sichuan. It is known for the Dashanbao plateau, where black-necked cranes winter on a high wetland.

What to see

• Dashanbao — a high plateau wetland where black-necked cranes winter
• The Wumeng and Wulian peaks, and the Jinsha River gorges
• The old salt road towns and the Hui and Yi villages

What to eat

• Yunnan mountain cooking: potatoes, buckwheat and cured meat
• Zhaotong is known for its 'zhaotong' apples and its 'tianma' (gastrodia) dishes

Best time

November–March for the cranes; May–October otherwise