From rugged mountains to dense jungles, and arid landscapes to fertile rice terraces, Yunnan and Sichuan is a land of diversity. Vietnam and Laos border to the south, Myanmar and Tibet to the west, and Gansu to the north. Within its provincial borders are 25 different ethnic groups, nearly half of all of China's. Some of the best preserved ancient-towns towns showcase the diversity, such as Lijiang where its native Naxi people are the last remaining to still write in ancient hieroglyphics. For centuries people have settled here, leaving traces of civilization in this rich land. Dotted in the countrysides are ancient villages, holy Buddhist and Taoist Temples , and dense bamboo forests, home of China's mascot, the Giant Panda. The mighty Yangtze River also traverses its terrain, created some dramatic landscapes such as the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world's deepest canyons. Travelling through Yunnan and Sichuan is reminiscent of travelling around the world.