Once little more than a backwater in southern China, Yunnan province has seen its fortunes rise in the eyes of travelers. The delightful city of Kunming is the perfect example of how China is trying to bring its tourist industry into the global economy while keeping a bit of its traditional flavor.

A recent article in TTG Asia points to the development of Kunming's high-end tourist market as a sign of good things to come. Two resorts built and run by a company called Banyan Tree are the cream of the crop when it comes to luxury travel in this rugged province. Travelers are whisked from their own private villa to the scenic mountains (home to the original Shangri La) in sturdy SUVs. Traveling around Yunnan with a luxury outfit is not the only way to see the green forests and rugged mountains. If you are a journeyer who needs to get up close to this land instead of watching it whizz by from the window of your Mitsubishi 4x4, there are plenty of companies offering guided treks. Many of these can be arranged to include a stop at one of the many minority villages tucked in between the mountains. The Tai and Zhung tribes are some of China's largest minority groups. The remoteness of their villages makes it easier for them to practice their traditional way of life without outside influence.

Yunnan's major cities, Kunming and Lijiang (pictured above) have a uniquely timeless atmosphere. There is plenty of development, to be sure, but also canals and old style buildings that provide an atmosphere that seems outside of our modern time. This is especially the case in Lijiang.