The Yunnan Nationalities Village (located on the shore of Dianchi Lake) will consist of 25 villages when finished. Each village represents the 25 ethnic minorities in Yunnan. Thirteen villages were completed at the time we visited and there were song and dance performances. However, my focus was on the gift shops located in each of these villages. Some really wonderful arts and crafts at cheap - cheap - cheap prices.

We were also taken to the obligatory tea shops to taste the high quality green and black teas that Yunnan is known for. Neither one of us are really tea drinkers but patiently sampling cup after cup, we did find something that we loved. A peanut-brittle type of candy made with sesame seeds. From that point on, we bought candy instead of tea and munched our way through Yunnan. (Around $1.00 for a huge package.) Kunming is also noted for "Across The Bridge Noodles" (a long story about the origin of that name). This is a noodle dish like any other noodle dish varying just by what ingredients are added in, but an interesting name. I think it's the oil slick usually floating over the noodles that turns me off. Restaurants in China have other "unique" food if you are really adventurous...fried grasshoppers...dog...elephant trunk...to name a few....none of them tried by us!