Home to 25 out of 56 ethnic minority groups in China and rich in traditional architecture and culture. Many attractions are UNESCO World heritage sites. Yunnan borders Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam and also covers a vast land area with many mountains. Part of Yunnan is higher in altitude and has breathtaking scenery of mountains and gorges. It is also one of the first tea producing regions and played an important role in the trading network of the Ancient Tea Horse Road, also sometimes referred to as the Southern Silk Road.