Zhaotong City

The plateau gateway to northeast Yunnan, where the black-necked cranes' wintering grounds at Dashanbao and sweeping canyons and seas of clouds attract photographers.

Zhaotong City lies in northeastern Yunnan on the lower reaches of the Jinsha River, bordering Sichuan and Guizhou. Historically it was an important route from the Central Plains into Yunnan. The terrain is one of high mountains and deep valleys. Dashanbao National Nature Reserve is an important wintering site for black-necked cranes, and the Jigongshan Grand Canyon, the Tiaodunhe wetland and the sea-of-clouds views are breathtaking. Zhaotong Old Town retains some traditional streets and lanes, and local products such as apples and gastrodia (tianma) are well known. Winter is the best time for crane-watching, while summer is cool on the plateau and good for escaping the heat. Zhaotong Airport is the air gateway, and the Chongqing–Kunming high-speed railway passes through Zhaotong.

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