Study in Yuxi, Yunnan Province
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Population: 2,034,000

Area: 15,258 square kilometers (5,891 square miles)

Nationalities: Han, Yi, Hani, Dai, Hui, Mongolia, Bai, Miao and Lahu

Administrative Division: 1 district (Hongta); 5 counties (Jiangchuan, Chengjiang, Tonghai, Huaning, Yimen); 3 Ethnic Minority Autonomous Counties (Eshan Yi Ethnic Minority Autonomous County, Xinping Yi and Dai Ethnic Minorities Autonomous County, Yuanjiang Hani, Yi and Dai Ethnic Minorities Autonomous County)

Location: Located in the middle of Yunnan Province, Yuxi is neighbor to Kunming City, Simao District, Honghe and Chuxiong States.

History: Yuxi was once the core area of Yunnan Province during the Previous Qin Dynasty (period before 221BC). In the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD), it became a county of Yizhou Shire. The following dynasties witnessed the continuous separations and unifications of the area. It was not until 1997 that Yuxi became a prefecture-level city of the Republic of China.

Physical Features: Yuxi is in the west edge of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with complex geographic features including mountains, valleys, lakes, plateaus and basins. Fuxian Lake is China's second deepest lake. The whole area extends from high northwest to low southeast. The urban city is about 1,630 meters (1,782 yards) above the sea level.

Climatic Features: Yuxi enjoys a subtropical plateau monsoon climate, which blesses the city with all-like-spring four seasons all year round. The hottest month is June while the coldest is in December or January.

When to Go: Best time to visit Yuxi is between summer and autumn. Because of the high temperature difference between morning and night, you'd better take a coat when you go there in spring or autumn.

Local Highlights: Endowed with pleasant climate, Yuxi is rich in crops and tobacco leaves, hence its honor 'Barn of Middle Yunnan Province' and 'Hometown of Yunnan Tobacco'. Yuxi Cigarette Company (Hongta Group) has become a famous cigarette making company. Its product brands such as Hongtashan, Ashima and Hongmei have been popular for many years in China. Yuxi also has beautiful natural sceneries and colorful cultures. Various festivals, dances, musics and folk cultures of different ethnic minority groups should not be missed on Yuxi travel. In addition, it is the hometown of Nie Er (1912-1935), the famous musician who has wrote many revolution songs including China's present national anthem.

Special Local Products:
Handicrafts: Tonghai silver decorations and cloth umbrella
Foods: Tonghai bean powder candy; sesame pieces; Huaning dried rice noodles; 'three treasures' on Mt. Yuanlao (beet, Citou Cai-a kind of potherb with thorns and Yangnai Cai (a kind of potherb with sheep-milk-like juice)

Scenic Spots: Mt. Mopan Scenic Area, Mt. Yuanlao Scenic Area, Mt. Xiushan, Mt. Maotian, Fuxian Lake, Xingyun Lake, Yudai River

Recreation: Nie Er Park, Huilong Ecological Park, Xiangbi Hot Spring

Tourist Resorts of Ethnic Minorities: Eshan, Yuanjiang and Xinping