Scintillating surfaces of blue, sumptuous slopes of green, all thrown into the vibrant cultural mix of several ethnic groups... if you could use only one word to describe the Great Cool Mountains, "colorful" should be it. 

But "colorful," of course, falls short of capturing the essence and allure of the place. Known as Daliangshan in Chinese, the Daliang or "Great Cool" Mountains are a vast mountain range extending across the border between Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in southwest China.

One particularly fascinating area is the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture on the Sichuan side of the mountain range, home to the largest population of Yi people in China. Its capital, Xichang, boasts a beguiling blend of history, tradition and scenery.

While wandering around the grand courtyards of Lizhou Ancient Town, you can find priceless treasures tucked away in its dusty nooks and crannies. A traipse around Qionghai Lake (alongside which the city center lies) will surely immerse you in the lushest of lush greenery interspersed with architectural relics from dynasties past. Further out, there is the Huanglian Earth Forest, where strange structures of dirt mushroom from the ground, monuments from millions of years ago.

Even further out – no longer in Xichang City but in Yanyuan County, there's Lugu Lake, shared with Sichuan, where you can meet the Mosuo people. They are often described as one of the last matriarchal tribes in the world. The landscapes at Lugu are unspoiled, and the culture, unforgettable. The Great Cool Mountains are indeed great, cool – and colorful.

"Colors of the Great Cool Mountains" will be aired for the first time on CGTN this Sunday at 7:30 a.m. (Beijing Time), rebroadcast at 4:30 p.m., Monday 2 a.m. and Thursday 1:30 p.m.. Don't miss this brand-new episode of Travelogue in Liangshan with Min-Zhui Lee!