I never liked going overseas, mainly because of the immense hassle and disruption of the daily routine it creates. Packing (a major anathema of mine) involves a great deal of thinking and rethinking of what I’ve packed, what I’ve yet to pack, and what I’m supposed to pack but have completely forgotten about and will only realize I’ve forgotten in China. Leaving the comfortable nest that is home is also something not done easily, especially with 5 pets to leave behind, even if only for a week.

And of course, I have to sacrifice some things back in Singapore, like going out, attending RWinds, starting homework, etc.

Anyway, I'm off.

Day 1

Waking up at 5 AM isn’t something to be relished, too, especially in the middle of the holiday season. Nevertheless, that’s what a flight at 8 AM requires. Thankfully, the flight was only 3 and a half hours long. Just enough to fall asleep on without waking up prematurely (that is, before landing).

The first thing you would notice upon disembarking the plane would be the difference in temperature. Singapore boasts an all-year round summer; Yunnan (云南) province, on the other hand, is known for eternal spring. The temperature, consequently, holds at a maximum of 12°C in the day, and 6°C at night. Perfect.

One thing about going to China on holiday is that it is probably more appropriate to go on tour as opposed to going alone. After glimpsing the public roads a few times, I have to concur. The traffic situation (while not as bad as previous years, our guide tells us) is pretty chaotic; there are about as many motorcyclists as there are cars (and there are 1.2 million cars here), and on top of all those there are all the pedestrians. Perhaps pedestrians would be the wrong word here, because it implies that they stick to the pavement. The commuters on the streets here in Kunming (昆明), whether on wheels or on feet, weave in and out of the fray with so much horn-blasting that I’m quite surprised that there aren’t more accidents than there are already. Thus, it is infinitely better to be on tour, and take a chartered bus around.

Not that I feel particularly safe with our bus driver. He turns out to be a major horn-blaster too.

Today was mainly visiting some historical sights here in Kunming, including the Jinma Biji (金马碧鸡) gates, twin pagodas erected to keep the nearby lakes from overflowing, as well as the longest Chinese couplet written on the walls of another pagoda. History and me don’t link well, but at least the weather’s cold.

Dinner was a...

... “show”. Also, one of those multiple course dinners with an agonizingly long wait in between. Nonetheless, the food was great. I think I’m going to put on weight after this trip.

The hotel room was slightly crummy, had malfunctioning lights, and erratic hot water, but it sufficed by making up with a big comfy bed.


Day 2

Another early morning (great breakfast though). Today we’re headed to Dali (大理), another place in Yunnan province. It’s a 5 hour bus ride there, but it’s broken up into three parts with two intervals.

The first interval was a detour to a valley where major excavation unearthed many dinosaur fossils many years back. It has hence become a tourist destination, and something of a dinosaur museum.

Not all the bones there were real – in fact 40% of each skeleton consists of fake bones to fill in the undiscovered or destroyed gaps.

Of course, there were plenty of electronic roaring dinosaurs to appease the kids.

Next stop was lunch. I must say that the overall hygiene standard in China is a far cry from what I’m used to in Singapore.

Another 2 and a half hours brought us to Dali. Dali is known for having many minority groups, and consequently a very diverse culture. We visited the mansion of a rich man belonging to one such group, the Baili (白理) people.

Dinner, and sleep.





Day 3

The first thing I learnt today was that as much fat as I may have, it isn’t sufficient to insulate me from a wintry (yes, spring gives way to colder climates at higher altitudes) morning here in China nearly 2 kilometres above sea level. Brrrr.

We visited some Buddhist temples and pagodas, and they were an extremely impressive sight especially against a backdrop of mountains, coated in foggy morning air.

After taking those pictures I happened to hear the guide mention that pictures inside the temples weren’t allowed. Oops.

Next up was some shopping at Yangrenjie (洋人街) – Westerner street. Filled with small shops selling cloth, accessories and other such trinkets, it was conversely not filled with Westerners at all.

Our next destination was another area 3 hours away; Lijiang (丽江). More shopping, at a night market which was formerly used for filming 武侠小说s.

Zzz time...





Day 4

About our current hotel, it’s more like a villa. Very cozy.

The higher you go, the MORE FREEZING mornings get. Our accommodation last night here in Lijiang was about 2400m above sea level. Previously it was approximately 1900m in Dali, and 1800m in Kunming. But today we’ll be ascending first to 3200m, at Shangri-La (香格里拉), then jumping up to 4500m (more accurately 4449.5m, rounding error!) as we go up to Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山).

It took 5 hours for our bus to climb the steep mountain roads to Shangri-La. With nothing else to do, it was alternating between sleeping and watching the scenery outside, which happens to be rather pretty.

Lunch at Shangri-La was justified by the mounds of meat. At such high altitudes, it is imperative for locals and other residents to keep their energy up by consuming lots and lots of meat. I’m fine with that :D.

Before taking the cable car from 3200m to 4500m, we were advised to stock up on...

...oxygen tanks. No kidding. At 3200m a lot of us were already short of breath; at 4500m we’re bound to be oxygen starved.

Personally I think they’re just placebos. I didn’t feel much different after using it.

It was nearly an hour’s journey to the top, with a stop in between, so more pictures.

The top of the mountain would be a comfortable temperature if not for the FREEZING HOWLING WIND that really threatened to knock me off balance. Pardon the blurred pictures; my hands were shaking hard.

I’m a sucker for beautiful scenery. Picturesque landscapes are what make holidays worthwhile to me. Especially since Singapore is so deprived of them. And mountaintop views are amongst my favourite. It’s a unique feeling to stand on top of the world and look at the towns and cities below like ant’s nests, feel the snow and the cold, and look up at the distant, even more immense peaks.

Don’t ask me why I brought the TR windbreaker.

Next destination was an old town, also serving as a tourist market. And there was this giant, golden... spinny pillar thing.

Tonight is going to be the coldest night so far, with subzero (down to -11°C) temperatures here in Shangri-La. And they say the heater turns off at midnight. Better get to sleep.


Day 5

The heater didn’t just turn off. It started blowing out cold air.

Another long bus ride back down the mountains to Lijiang. Somehow, the 5 hour long trip up became 3 hour trip back down. More pictures.

Next up were some beautiful gardens. Snow-capped mountains in the background, clear blue (or green) waters (apparently the clearest natural waters to be found in China), and plenty of trees waving green and yellow in the cold morning air make for lovely viewing.

After which, a trip to the “old town” of Lijiang made for excellent shopping opportunities and more nice photos.











Day 6

An amusing sign I spotted at the entrance to our first sightseeing spot today, advertising the conditions on which a discount could be obtained for the entry ticket.

TICKET PRICE REDUCE SCOPE
Show good credentials for free:
1. shot of one metre children;
2. people for retier of fullpay;
3. more than 70 year old people;
4. disabled soldier, martyr family members, more than two grade soldier;
5. legal holiday soldier to tourist thisscenic;
6. model worker of country level;
7. disabled people (except be engaged in labour service and the commerce).
Show good credentials to half-price:
1. students;
2. soldier and retired cadra from armed forces.

Anyway, the show was something directed by 张艺谋, but was ruined for me by the bunches of tourists, mostly internal tourists, who were making so much noise and standing up and walking around during the show.

And there was a 1,200 person crowd swarming the exit; the only exit.

Next was a park with such beautiful water that words fail.

AND OMG THE YAKS SO CUTEEE.

After that, more statues and murals.

Another visit to the “old town”, this time in all its night time glory.

Day 7

Apparently, the prosperity that Kunming (and Yunnan province as a whole) have today is largely owed to the 1999 EXPO that was held in Kunming, bringing Yunnan to the world at large. We visited some of the famous attractions that were showcased during that time at 七彩云南, but I only was interested by the animals.

Next was 九寨沟, a series of caves gorged out by the river over centuries. First was a little scenic boat tour, then we were brought through the caves, all 1,300 steps of it.

Note that all the pretty colours here are caused by artificial lighting. It kinda spoiled the caves for me.

And to get back to the entrance of this place we had to take a:

*don’tlookdowndon’tlookdowndon’tlookdown*

As our last proper meal in China for this trip, dinner was on the esoteric side, held in a traditional grassy room. The roast duck was nice.

The capper came when the bugs arrived. Fries anyone?

Day 8

After some medicine selling (which involved a demonstration of the guy burning himself on heated metal then curing himself with some cream) and last minute shopping...

Home.

It's great to be back!

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