Yunnan province

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Now, let's turn to today's introduction to Chinese provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. Our focus is Yunnan Province.

Yunnan Province is in the country's southwest region, and has its capital at Kunming. It encompasses 394,000 square kilometers, and has a population of more than 42 million people.

There are 25 ethnic minorities in Yunnan, making it the most ethnically diverse province in China. This multiplicity of cultures has endowed the province with a rich heritage that it shares with all who come to visit.

Yunnan has a diverse biology with more than 18,000 plant species, the greatest number of plant species in China. It is also blessed with an incredible array of animals, such as the Asian elephant.

It is one of China's major tourist destinations with over 220 tourist sites.

Stone Forest, located outside of the capital city of Kunming, is one of the world's natural wonders. Massive pillars of grey rock have formed a gigantic forest of stone.

Another tourism destination is Lijiang, which has been designated by UNESCO as one of the world's major cultural heritage sites.

Along with Lijiang, is Dali, the capital of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. It is famous for its historic sites and its Foreigner Street which offer foreign delicacies. The city is also well-known for the many types of marble it produces.

Yunnan is also a province that is endowed with rich resources. Its five pillar industries are tobacco, biological resources, tourism, mineral resources and power.

In 2008, Yunnan's GDP was 570 billion yuan, with an annual growth rate of 11 percent.