Travel in Yunnan, Kunming, LiJiang, Dali in Year 2001

Day 1

My family joined a travel agency in Singapore for a 7-day tour in Yunnan consisting of Kunming, LiJiang and Dali. The group including my family consists of 15 people.
Left Singapore flying Yunnan Airline on 4 December 2001 to Yunnan Kunming. Had a snack on board the plane. Around 11 plus, they served us lunch. Had a chicken noodle lunch, ate a little of it as it is not very nice. Touched down in Yunnan Kunming Airport at 12.15 local time. No Time Difference Between Singapore and China. Kunming is known as the spring or Summer City because of its cool summer and warm winter. Went through Customs and found our Tour guide.
Alan is our Tour guide. 20 plus year old guide. Went to get lunch at a hotel in Town, lunch was fabulous. Alan told us some interesting facts about Yunnan like how should we address the local etc and some stories about him. We arrived at this pearl centre but it was not included in our plan at all, it is just a stopover for us to use the bathroom and take a look at the pearls and some shopping. Everyone rushed to look at the pearl except my dad, elder sister, my cousin ken and me. Four of us were looking at the English subtitles about how the pearls were being raised etc. Although I'm a Chinese, I can't understand mandarin very well, the same goes for my dad, elder sister and my cousin ken.

We continued our journey to our destination called Jiuxiang Scenic Belt. It's a place, which is famous for its magnificent caves, waterfalls and beautiful landscape. Well in order to get to the caves, got to take the lift down. So we took the lift down and before going to the caves, we went to take a little cruise on the lake I guess. The cruise is about 10 to 15 minutes ride. It is just to look at the rock formations and words on the rock. After we finished the cruise, got to walk to the cave. While we walked to the cave, as there was a rive down below which is linked to the yellow river all the way, If I remember correctly. Well the cave is petty dark and the stairs are very steep, do be careful while walking and bring torchlight along with you when visiting Jiuxiang. We entered the 1st cave. The 1st cave is about rock formations. Some of them look like animals; some look like people and lots more. Very interesting. The 2nd cave is about natural resources. Rocks being written with the words Jiuxiang. It is not being craved on, it is the water rushing and clashing with the rocks and the words Jiuxiang appear on the rock and there are lots of more related things to Jiuxiang. There is also a waterfall in the 2nd cave. Well, normal camera can't capture the waterfall due to the cave is dark, just pay 10 bucks and you get expert photographer taking photo of the waterfall and you together. My whole family pays 10 bucks to the photographer and took a picture of the waterfall of course with us in it.
After that, continued with the climbing of stairs. The 3rd caves is called Bat Cave as it used to have lots of bats in it but as tourists came and visit the cave, they started to disappear. The cave has the most stairs of all 3 caves. The total of the stairs are 336. Before entering the caves, you can choose to take the sedan or walk. For old people, I wondered how they do the climbing because the 1st and 2nd cave stairs are steep and had to climb. The 3rd caves has nothing much. By the time we finished climbing all 3 cave I am very sure I had lost lot of weight. Reached the place for dinner. Dinner for tonight was the local what they eat in their home. It was fabulous. The Hotel we were staying in was Stone Forest Hotel, saw 4 Merlions. Alan told us that a Singaporean owns the Hotel, so that's why the 4 symbols of Singapore are there. Got the room keys and took my rest till the very next morning

Check out the Stone Forest Hotel on 5 of December of 2001. Proceed to our 1st destination today, which is Caiseshalin famous for its outstanding sand formation including relief (sculptures) etc. This place also feature about this story back in China Years ago. If I'm not wrong, the story should be three kingdoms something like that. Well, when entering the place, in order to get in, have to pass 2 stone doors. According to the guide, she says that if you manage to push the stone door 3 times, your next life will be a general. For me, Of course I can't move it, so just slip through the empty space through the doors.

After that, saw this big thing. According to the guide, it is used by one of the three kingdoms character to scare someone by saying about deep-frying the person. Something like that. So we saw this sand sculpture and we being our sand formation tour. Firstly saw this sand formation, which looks like a monkey, followed by this sand formation, which look like a general who look like got a beer-tummy. Saw lots of other sand formation. This place is like a big maze once you take the wrong path and you can't get out. There is a shop for us to take a rest and there is this big seat, which the kings in the three kingdoms sat on long ago and we are allowed to take picture on it. Took our rest and continued with the walk. There is this water spring which say it is very clear and good for health. According to the guide, she say it is used to heal the soldiers in the three kingdoms because once the soldiers drank some dirty water and they came to the water spring to drink and they were perfectly fine after that. The health part I'm not sure but I strongly agreed that it is very clear.

Finally, went to see sand sculptures. Lots of being made into beautiful people things etc. After finishing visiting the sand sculpture, we sat on the sedan back. The sky in Caiseshalin is way blue than other place in China. On our way out, saw an old lady, her foot was so small. Was very shocked although I saw documentary of older times girls have to bind their foot, never thought I would get to see in real life in the 21st Century. Well, went back to the bus. Alan bought some local small food for us to try, was very nice. Went on to have lunch, lunch was not that nice.

Our next destination was Stone Forest. Located 126km to the southeast of Kunming, Stone Forest is a State-level scenic spot, with a total area of 350 square km and has the highest elevation in the world. Everything before my eyes were astonishing; Right in here, I'm amazed and astonished at the unique peaks and strange caves. The ravishing legends of " Ashima ", the " Torchlight Festival " of the Sani people on June 24 each year, and the warm and zestful Yi nationality dance " Axi Dance Under Moonlight " increase my enthusiasm in knowing more about the area. We proceed to this place selling Chinese medicine called Bao Shu Tang. Their medicine is petty effective. Even our Singapore Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew his illness was treated by one of the Bao Shun Tang in Beijing. This place got 24 or 28 place in the whole of china. So we went in and listen to the person in charge to explain to us their 2 kinds of medicine. 1st is the bear bladders powder (Yeah, gross and cruel) I would say. 2nd is a cream. Well, the person did demonstrations and he put his hand over the burning hot rod, which has only just been taken off the fireplace. After that, he quickly applied the cream on his hand. The explanation finished. So, the doctors was checking out the group illness and give them some advice about it. For me, I got nothing to ask about and the person who just did the demonstration walked over to my family and me. I was sort of looking around and I took a look at his hand. Indeed it was ok not sore at all kind of amazing. So I walked around looking at different types of Chinese medicine. I even saw ants in a sealed bag. Yuck! But I would say I learnt more or less about Chinese medicine well, walked around for a while and board the bus. Went back to Town, Kunming.

The journey back was about 2 to 3 hours. Alan had told us yesterday that there are 2 trains which is in Yunnan itself but 1 is the old kind slow and small it goes to Myanmar the other 1 only runs in China itself but it is big and fast. My sister and my cousin Ken saw a train, both of them called my mum and me to take a look but it's not the old kind of train. What a pity because we were hoping to see the old train. But the old train if we want to see all depends on our luck, Alan told us the old train will only move Myanmar that side the train is being filled up, likewise the same goes for Yunnan. Alan told us about 3 kinds of people in China. 1 group is the age of his parents, this group is hardworking etc, but they are kind of stubborn, thank to this group, China made its mark. The 2nd group is from the age 21-30 if I am not wrong, Alan is in this group, this group they don't even dare to talk about marriage and stuff because marriage costs a lot of money and even if they see a gals they like, they will ask themselves, do they have the money to support a wife, family and maybe kids? Even they like someone, they will ask themselves think about what are you doing, falling in love with someone. I think this group are the one who will be the unhappiest with life because of money; no money can't talk about love. The 3 groups are 12-20. This group they don't like to study, they like to go dance in pubs and try all those drugs that's the town kids, for the countryside, they got to help their parents selling things, they got no chance to go to school, I saw a little boy about 3 or 4 year old helping his parents carrying vegetable to the market and a gals about my age helping with her parents selling sounviers. Finally reached Town. The Hotel we were staying in for the night is Green Lake Hotel. Well, my aunty (ken's mum), my aunt (my mum's elder brother wife), aunty Doris and my parents went to shop with the rest of the group. For the three of us, we decided to crash on our own. Actually due to my sister got a stomach, my cousin ken is tried and for me got a terrible headache. We decided to stay in the hotel. So I channel-surf the TV for English MTV. Managed to catch some but my eyes were not obeying, I went to dreamland.

Day 5

The morning call for us was 7.30, so woke up at 7.30. Did our wash-up. Went to have breakfast at the coffeehouse. This morning, we are taking a cruise on Erhai Lake. On the way to the jetty, saw 2 dogs being locked in a cage waiting for people to eat them. I saw it and my hearts hurts a lot. Can't believe there are people eating dog's meat. Reach the jetty. The boat we were taking was the biggest and best boat by the China Travel Agency. Well, We book a singing room and everyone was singing and my cousin Ken and sister was playing cheese. I was reading a book while enjoying the beautiful lake view. Reached the 1st island. Stopped only for 15 minutes. As the water was very clear, my aunty (ken's mum) bought some fried small prawns to treat us. The boat left the island and it was our turn to watch the Bai Tribe performances. The dancing and singing indeed is very nice, but I don't know what the host is talking about, her Chinese was very good.

We get to taste the 3 cups of famous tea of Dali. Got a small packet of preserved fruits. 1st cup of the tea is bitter. 2nd cup of the tea is sweet. 3rd cup of the tea is both of the 1st and 2nd cup. The last performance was about how the Dali people marriage. The Bride needs to get pinch from relativities, which is a blessing in their way. Reach the 2nd island. Went to see this big statute of Chinese gods. Took some picture. Went back down to see this 10 statute about a mother eating some pill and gave birth to ten sons something like that. Took some picture. Walk around for a while and quickly went back to the boat since it only stops for 45 minutes. Went back on the boat, sat outside on the deck to enjoy the sea breeze. The feeling is just so great. Sat on the deck for about 15 minutes and went back into the singing room because the sunlight in China is very strong. Watch people sing song. After 15 minutes, we reached the jetty. Went to locate the bus. We reached the place looking for the bus. A lot of people came rushing to us selling things. Didn't want it, they kept making us buy. Well, was so scared that they kept making us buy. My sister, my aunt (my mum's elder brother wife), aunty Doris and me hid under an umbrella. Finally, the bus came, and rushed on to the bus.

Went for lunch. After lunch, we walked to our next destination for the day, which is butterfly spring. The butterfly spring Park of Dali is located on the Yunnong Hill of Diancang Mountain. The original name is Bottomless Poll. When it is between late spring and early summer, (the exact date is 15th according to the lunar calendar) the traditional Butterfly Gathering will be open. At that time, lots of people meet there, singing their love songs here and there. According to the tour guide, there water spring which we wash our hands. 1st time means your studies are good in the future. 2nd time means a good fortune in the future. 3rd means lady luck with future husband or wife. Well, I only just want to wash for fun but the local china tourist keeps pushing us and we nearly fell down.
Proceed to the next place, which is Zhou City to see how the Dali people do dying of the cloth. Saw how they did and went back to the bus to continue with our next destination is Xizhou town. On the bus, the tour guide told us that our destination have lots of people selling things like what we encountered like just now, so he told us to act blur, don't reply or say anything to them so they will just go away. Xizhou town is about having a look at the bai people house. Very nice. Next destination was the old Ancient City of Dali. Well, Shopping time. My mum, my aunt (my mum's elder brother wife), my aunty (ken's mum), my cousin ken, aunty Doris and my sister were walking so slowly. My dad and I decided that we meet them at where the tour guide tells us to meet, so my dad and me is walking around and checking out things. We waited for the tour guide to bring us to dinner. Well, the restaurant and a crystal shop is linked together, so the person is showing and telling us about different kind of crystal, So everyone was shopping for purple crystal necklace.

My dad, my sister, my cousin ken and me were so bored. We walked around. Aunty Doris was buying cell phone accessories, so she gave my sister and me to choose, I got a glass blue rat which also happen to be my horoscope and my favourite colour accessories, my sister got glass dog accessories. But my aunt (my mum's elder brother wife) want a glass dog accessories, so aunty Doris, my sister and me helped to search for her, but all we see are not nice, so my sister gave my aunt (my mum's elder brother wife) hers, aunty Doris ask my sister to choose 1. We three help her search for a glass monkey since her Chinese horoscope is monkey. Pity the salesgirl because my cousin ken rejected so many what she had took out. Got one and went to find my mum, my aunt (my mum's elder brother wife), my aunty (ken's mum), my dad and my cousin ken. My mum, my aunt (my mum's elder brother wife), my aunty (ken's mum) had not finished choosing the purple crystal necklace. Showed my sister and mine cell phone accessories to my cousin ken. Then ken suddenly told us that my sister cell phone accessories a part of it was broken. So aunty Doris immediately drag my sister, my cousin ken to change for another one. After a while, went over to see whether they (aunty Doris, my cousin ken and my sister) finished choosing the thing, my sister told me that my cousin ken rejected three of the accessories, so I joined in to help them. Finally, found one. So my dad asks me to go upstairs to have our dinner 1st together with aunty Doris, my cousin ken and my sister. Had our dinner. Went back on the bus. But I find it funny because my parents and relatives were not on the bus. Miss Wee and me went back to the shop to find them; they were shopping for local products. Finally, they finished buying. Luckily, the shop was very near to the hotel. Went back to the hotel. My cousin ken wanted to play pool, so went to the reception to know more about it. But we decide not to play. So went back to our room. Bath, watch TV for a while and went to bed. Lucky day for me got a free cell phone accessories and a purple crystal necklace.

Day 6

Woke at 5.00 am today. Washed up and went for breakfast at the coffeehouse. After breakfast, went down to the lobby. Was a cold morning. Stood in front of the hot pit to get myself warm. We are leaving Dali today. Went on board the bus, as it was an hour trip to get to the airport. Everyone was sleeping except me. Well, my mind was somewhere else. Reach the airport really early probably 7.05 in the morning. We are the only one in the airport. Check in our luggage and went through the customs. Bid goodbye to the Tour Guide and Bus Driver The Bus Driver look like the Chinese Communist Mao ZhengDong, So we call him Uncle Mao. He's a pretty nice guy. Well, waited for the plane, so was walking around. Well, plane reached. Plane took off at 8.15. Reached Kunming at 9.00. Went to get our luggage. Saw Alan. After What happened in LiJiang was very relived to see him. Got our luggage and went on Bus. Alan told us what he did scold the people in LiJiang for over half hour. He apologized on behalf of his company to us.

Proceed to our 1st destination, which is Yunnan Minority Cultural Village. Yunnan Nationalities Village, a local well-known tourist scenic spot in Yunnan, is located near Dianchi Lake, the suburb of Kunming. Currently, 12 villages have been constructed, including Dai village, Bai village, Yi village, Naxi Village, Wa Village, Bulang Village, Jino village, Lahu village, Tibetan village, Hani village, Jingpo village, De'ang village and the Mosuo Family. With the completion of certain synthesizes facilities as Nationalities United Square, Singing and Dancing hall, Multi-colour Music Fountain, Water Curtain Film and Flavour City etc. The village is found 25 minority groupings and their cultural exhibits. Well, on the bus, Alan gave us try some local cake or bread of theirs. It's made with flour and walnuts in it.

Went to the Cultural Village. Firstly, went to sit this kind of small car in order to get to the village. Went to visit the Dai Village. Alan treats us to feed the seagulls except me. I was looking at a dance performance by the Dai Tribe people. Took some pictures. Finished visiting the village. Went back to the car, proceed to the next village, which is Naxi Tribe. While visiting the Naxi Tribe people house, Alan bought from the Dai Tribe village fruits to treat us but I'm too lazy to eat. Went to see their house and their own language. Took some pictures. Went to see the Mosuo people. These people don't get married. They treat women same rank as the men in the house. The guys find gals just by putting his finger and if any gal put her finger into his finger. So the guy goes to the gal's house to spend the night and the next morning the guy goes back to his own house and the whole thing repeats again. It is kind of like a one nightstand. Well, if the gal gets pregnant, she takes care of the kid. So if they two are in love, they get married and they carry their kid and date. They are call the Mosuo people because at night, they go to the gal's house before the day breaks, the guy leaves the house. Well, Interesting traditional I will say. Well, the lady guide was explaining things to that and us were two Chinese guy locals say that Mosuo people traditional are very good and the lady guide says not really. That two idiots are so dirty minded. I was enjoying the seagulls flying in the blue sky. Well, continued with our last village, which is Yi Tribe Village. The Yi Tribe people look up to the Tiger as a god or something. Well, finished visiting the Cultural Village. Went for lunch. Alan bought some Dai Tribe people what they eat to treat us. Alan himself is half of Dai Tribe. After lunch, went to Daguan Park (Grand View Pavilion). Well, lots of sea gulls in the park. Alan treat us to feed the sea gulls we told him not to because this morning, he already treat us. He wanted to so we accepted his offer. This time, I did feed the seagulls. Well finished feeding the seagulls. Went to this place Daguanlou. Everyone finished feeding the seagulls. Went to Daguanlou as Alan explained to us what is outside the Daguanlou the 2 long pillars with words which make me feel amazing, he remember such long poem. Went in to visit and came out. Miss Wee and me were walking and we two were looking around at the shops. Saw this guy drawing people's name, Miss Wee decided to ask the guy to draw since the bus have not arrived yet, I was only accompanying her and checking out what the guy is doing since its interesting. Well, there were also tourists from Taiwan I think also asking the guy to draw and she got 5 names asking the guy to draw. Well, luckily the guy who is drawing is quite fast, well the bus came. Miss Wee was like so anxious about making people waiting for her. I told her to calm down because they (the group) don't mind waiting for her.

The guy finished drawing and he was asking whether are we from Singapore? Miss Wee reaction was how you know? The guy say that We (Miss Wee and me) way of speaking is very cultural. Miss Wee say that She don't quite like people knowing that she is from Singapore and she ask the guy why can't We (Miss Wee and me) be from Malaysia or Taiwan. The guy says Malaysian is totally way different from Singaporeans, Taiwanese are Fat people and they are very rude. Got her name thing.
Quickly went back to the bus. Proceed on to our next and last destination for the day, which is Western Hill and Dragon hill. The Western hills are noted for a series of temples situated along a path leading to the summit. Alan told us about the temples and the gods on the Western hill. Most of them were napping, except Miss Wee, Alan and me. Miss Wee was asking Alan something, I was just looking out the window and my mind was somewhere else thinking but managed to hear what Alan is telling her about, I'm not eavesdropping they are just talking about Western hill. Reach Western hill, we need to get up by gondola (cable car) or walking and car. Well, we choose to take the gondola (cable car) and come down by sitting the car. Well, the scenery was amazing while sitting on the gondola (cable car). Reach the top, walked down. My cousin Ken and me were talking along the way. Took pictures along the way. We get to look at the Dianchi Lake. Reach the 1st temple, Alan explained to us and some of them did a little praying and continued with the walking. Reach the 2nd temple Alan explained to us and some of them did a little praying, took a look and continued with the last temple. Reach the last temple, likewise Alan explained to us, took a look around. They were buying sounviers at a shop, I was checking out the scenery using a telescope. My dad was talking to one of the uncles in the group. Sat down to take a rest. My mum, aunt (my mum's elder brother wife), aunty (ken's mum), aunty Doris and my sister were checking out the things at the shop. I saw a book on the tribe in whole China, thought of buying it but in the end decided not to. Went down. At the bottom of the hill, Alan say hey I got a great news which is the car shuttle service is closed, so we got to walk down. The night was falling in, when we reached the car park, got on to the bus. Was too tried from the walking, everyone dozed off. Reach the restaurant for dinner. Ate our dinner, Alan changed some of the dishes because he know we are sick of seeing the same food everyday. Halfway through the dinner, my sister saw a bug in one of the dishes, got the waitress to change it. After that, continued eating our dinner. Finished our dinner and ate the nuts aunty Doris bought, I also ate some. Didn't need to peel them because my cousin ken peels them for me! *Grin*.

After dinner, went back to check in the hotel which is Green Lake Hotel. Got our rooms key and went up. We got two rooms but the hotel didn't give us next to each other because there is adjoining room. Took a time to settle down, Alan came up, Miss Wee told us that she live in one of the room, the door is locked. So we swapped with Aunty Doris and my aunt (my mum's elder brother wife). Got a bathroom break and went down to the lobby. Got on the bus, went for a walk and some shopping. They saw a bakery shop, bought some stuff, Miss Wee and me were just hanging out, she told me we two so pity every time, there is shopping involved, we two got to wait for them since we got nothing to buy. Took some pictures. Some of them took a break. Went back to the hotel by walking back. Saw Ekin Chen (Hong Kong star on a notice board, Miss Wee and me were joking with Alan, hey how come you are on the notice board. Well, we told Alan to go back home since we were about to reach the hotel and we know our way back, moreover he will reach home late if he walk home or take bus. He told us that it is his responsibilities to make sure we are sure safe and sound; he will get worried and couldn't sleep if we went back on our own to the hotel. Reach the hotel, took a bath and went to bed.

Day 7

8.30 was the wake up time for us. Washed up, pack up the luggage and waited for my sister to get her stuff packed. Went down to the coffeehouse to have our breakfast. Finished our breakfast. Was at the lobby, exchanged contact number with Miss Wee and Mr. Goh. Alan came and gave us his name card. After that, everyone was done, got on the bus, my aunty (ken's mum) realized that her coat was left behind, Alan offered to help her get it, but we found the coat in the end.

Proceed to our 1st destination of the day which is a tea place, I think. Reach the place. The person told us about different type of tea. Went into a room and explained more to us and let us drink tea. Drank a lot of tea, finally finished drinking. I immediately went out to the room to take a walk since the rest of them were asking the person in charge what type of tea is good? Went out to the car park Went to have our lunch. Todayz, we get to sample 2 famous dishes of Yunnan which is Across the Bridge Noodle and Steam pot Chicken. Having our lunch, we also get to see some performance. It was Alan's turn to sing, his singing was fantastic , someone offered him flower, I decided to offer him 3 stalks of flower. His expression was shocked as he received the flower. Finished our lunch. Got a bathroom break. Was talking to the group since Alan went to get something. Well, Alan came and got on the bus for our next destination which is to a shop selling medicine called Fu Shun Tang as usual, I got nothing to buy, so just sat down on the chair. Well, only my mum, aunty( ken's mum) and Mrs. Goh bought something, we got on the bus .Proceed on to the next destination since some of them wanted to buy CD, but couldn't find a place to park the bus, so went to this place to buy local products. The shop allow free samples of the products before buying. Well, I was not buying, so didn't went to try. Miss Wee was talking to another tour guide who was taking another group from Singapore. Wanted to get on the bus, but there was so many beggars and they kept demanding for money. Miss Wee got me on the bus. Others wanted to get on the bus but the beggars kept pestering them for money. Miss Wee confronted them saying These are my friends, please don't pester them as I just now gave us some nuts to eat and you guys are very demanding, so give me a face let them off. Got on the bus to the airport. Reach the airport. Check in. While Checking in, I saw my secondary 2 science teacher but I forget what her name , so I don't dare to talk to her. My cousin ken kept asking me to talk to her. The check in stuff was done.

Went through the custom, bid Farwell to Alan. I truly had enjoyed myself during this 1 week in China. Would love to go back again to China, Yunnan.