"I don't know what inspired me to buy a non-promotional plane ticket to Kunming so easily. If it wasn't my dream destination, I wouldn't have dared."

At the end of last year, I took my nose to touch the air of my dream place #1, Mount Bromo-Kawa Ijen. After returning from that trip, I immediately looked for a suitable time to collect my dream #2. I got a suitable day, Labor Day 2016, I will take a vacation, bring my feet to touch my dream >> "Shangri-La Yunnan" // Oh, why is it not like the topic name? Yes, "It's a Shang... trip that doesn't reach Shangri-La". Let's start (secretly typing while working, very bad). Escape to Yunnan April 30 - May 6, 2016

Friends who are interested in travel plans, Chinese language guide, I have a file. You can say hello at
Travelholic's Notes: https://www.facebook.com/khonkheetiew


"China... who goes there alone?" Before I bought my plane ticket, I asked my friends if anyone was willing to go with me. 555 But no one was. I bought it anyway and still asked around (trying to find someone who wouldn't complain for sure because this time it's 100% backpacking). Still, no one went. "Oh well, I'll go alone then. I'm not afraid of getting lost, I'm afraid of not going." On the night of Friday, April 29th, before going to bed, I checked all my belongings, especially the chocolate bars and cereal bars that I bought in bulk to keep me alive for 7 days (in case I can't eat anything, I'll just eat this). Early in the morning of Saturday, April 30th, I rushed to Don Mueang in a taxi. I guessed that Don Mueang must be overflowing with people because it's a long holiday. Flight FD 582 departs at 7.50 am and will take me to Kunming Changshui International Airport, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, in southwest China.

Kunming City: City of Spring Day 1 of the trip (April 30, 2016)

Stepping off the plane in Kunming, we adjusted our watches one hour ahead of Thailand. The temperature in Kunming was a pleasant 20 degrees Celsius (compared to the scorching 40 degrees back home). Feeling blessed and grateful, we wondered what awaited us next in Kunming. As fate would have it, "Thais never leave each other behind." After clearing Chinese immigration, we looked around and spotted fellow Thais from our flight. We struck up a conversation and ended up making friends with two Thai men: a veterinarian named P'Rang who loves to travel, and an engineer named P'Gak who was taking a break from his kids. We decided to explore Kunming together. Having read reviews, we knew we needed to take Shuttle Bus Line 2 to "Kunming Zhan" (the train station). We walked to Gate 4 of the airport and purchased tickets for the Line 2 bus, which cost 25 yuan each.

Upon arriving at the train station, the next thing we did was "exchange our train tickets". I forgot to mention that about 2 weeks before our trip, I had already purchased train tickets from Thailand through the website https://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/ to ensure that we would have a train to (Kunming-Lijiang) and back (Dali-Kunming). After exchanging our train tickets, we continued to explore the city.


99% of tourists wouldn't know this is a train station until they see this golden bull statue.


The three of us will be traveling to Kunming City because the train departs from Kunming to Lijiang at 8:50 PM. We have plenty of time to explore Kunming City. Alright, the first place we visited was

Wat Yuan Tong is a temple that blends Thai, Burmese, and Tibetan influences. It serves as a center for three Buddhist sects and has a history dating back to the Tang Dynasty, approximately 1,200 years ago.

After leaving Yuan Tong Temple, turn right and walk for about 1 kilometer to reach Green Lake Park. This park even has signs in Thai, which suggests that many Thai people must visit. I like this park because I see how much Chinese people value family activities. They often come here to walk with their families, ride boats, exercise, and eat together. Since today is Saturday, the park is especially lively.


Next up is a landmark of Kunming, the Horse Gate-Chicken Gate, located in the heart of the city. This is our last stop in Kunming before we grab something to eat and head back to the train station to check in and board the train.


As the first day of our Yunnan adventure drew to a close, we were faced with a decision: to follow the well-trodden path to Shangri-La or to forge our own unique journey. We, a trio of intrepid travelers, had each arrived separately and were now united in our quest for adventure. While Gak had purchased tickets to Dali and Lijiang, I and Hrang opted for Lijiang, with plans to return to Dali later. Our paths would converge in Lijiang, where I and Hrang had hatched a plan to deviate from the traditional route and explore the Tiger Leaping Gorge instead of Shangri-La. Having done my research, I was eager to witness the breathtaking beauty and exhilarating challenges of the gorge. So, we embarked on our "not-quite-Shangri-La" adventure, embracing the promise of stunning scenery and thrilling experiences.


Kunming-Lijiang sleeper train is a sleeper train. The first night on the train.

The three of us arrived at Kunming Railway Station to wait for the departure time. ***Ten asterisks*** The most important thing in China is that your passport will be required for anything related to buying tickets or cards. The Chinese baggage inspection system is quite strict, with multiple baggage scanning steps.

My brother Horang and I went to Lijiang, while my brother Gak went to Dali. We will meet up in Lijiang on May 4th. Kunming Railway Station is even bigger than some airports in Thailand. The platforms and halls can accommodate tens of thousands of passengers. Everything is well organized, with clear instructions on how to board the train. There is no confusion or mistakes. Only passengers with tickets can pass through the gate to the platform. It is truly a country with a large population. If it weren't for this kind of organization, it would be a complete mess.

Before getting on the train, I bought some instant noodles to take with me. Just for peace of mind, haha. Kunming Railway Station has plugs for charging phones and cameras. It's a free service.


It's time to travel. Train K9606 will take me to Lijiang on the morning of May 1st at 6:05 am.


By the way, I had roommates too. Two of us were Thai, and the other four were Chinese. We could all understand each other's English, so we chatted away and I jokingly warned them, "If I snore tonight, don't be mad!" Haha. The inside of the Chinese train was okay. I slept on the bottom bunk (like in the picture). I was a bit embarrassed in front of my roommates because the socks I had been wearing all day were starting to smell. Thankfully, the Chinese train had plugs to charge our devices. My Thai friend slept on the top bunk.


A little tidbit about the Hard Sleeper train: each compartment has 6 beds, 3 on each side. I slept on the bottom bunk and could sit up, but those who sleep on the middle or upper bunks can't sit up. Their heads would definitely touch the ceiling. "Sleeping cars are sleeping cars," as the saying goes. The next morning, Brother Horang told me, "If you're claustrophobic, you shouldn't sleep on the top bunk." It's very suffocating. As for me, I slept comfortably on the bottom bunk. Brother Horang sacrificed his bottom bunk for me, saying, "I'm fat, I wouldn't be able to sleep comfortably." A very good reason, but okay. >>> This is the thrill of backpacking. Whatever happens, let it happen.

The first day of the trip ended when my head hit the pillow on the Chinese train.


////What happened today? In China, the Chinese will speak Chinese to us 100% no matter what language we ask. All we can do is smile and say "xie xie". And I have to say that the Chinese people in Kunming are very nice and helpful. We'll see what happens tomorrow when we get to Lijiang. Hello Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Day 2 of the trip (May 1, 2016) A memorable Labor Day....

On the second morning of our escape to Yunnan, the alarm clock on the train blared, playing Chinese instrumental music as if only the deaf would not hear it. The train woke me up from my drowsiness at around 5:30 am and took us to the station at exactly 6:05 am (that is, it couldn't arrive early, lol, it had to wait for the time to enter the station on time. This is an advantage that I'm not used to, compared to Thai trains). As soon as I got off the train, I could only say one word: "Ouch, why is it so cold?" I looked at the phone app, which was connected to the pocket wifi, and saw that it was 11 degrees. I shivered and said goodbye to my Chinese roommate. We went our separate ways.

The two of us walked to the bus stop, where there were a lot of people waiting, but no buses came. Some uncles and aunts came up to us and offered to take us in a small van for 10 yuan (50 baht) per person, but we had to wait for 6 people to fill the van before it would leave. We waited for 5 minutes and then the van was full, so we headed to Lijiang Old Town. When we arrived in Lijiang Old Town, I put my things away at the hostel I had booked and then went out to find a car to take me to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (I'll talk about Lijiang Old Town another day).


My friend and I were discussing whether to buy a one-day trip or rent a car together. If I were alone, I would have decided to buy a tour. But since there are two of us, we decided to ask the drivers around here. We didn't want to have a rushed tour and be herded onto a bus. Finally, we found an uncle who rented a car at a price we could split, which was affordable. We decided to go to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Canned oxygen (I recommend buying it from the old town, it will be cheaper than where the uncle took you to buy it)


The ticket booth for the park. My uncle took me to buy it. The cost is



The cable car ride costs 200 yuan per person, and the park entrance fee is 104 yuan per person.

When you arrive at the ticket booth, don't forget to bring your passport with you. As May 1st is International Workers' Day, I repeat, International Workers' Day.

The number of people visiting the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is extremely high. (It's really crowded.)

The ticket officer said that we will be able to take the cable car again at 13.30. Will we go up again? The officer wrote the time on a piece of paper for us to see, so we understood it that way.

Back in the car, we discussed for a bit and said, "Hey, what should we do?" In the end, we decided to buy tickets. We rushed back to the counter, but the staff told us that the 13.30 round was full and we had to take the 14.00 round. (Damn...) Anyway, after buying the tickets, we took some photos here and there because it was only 11.00 am at that time.

My uncle took me to a nearby tourist service center, where there was also the Lijiang Impression outdoor theater. However, I didn't watch it. The park entrance ticket also allows you to visit the White Water Pool "Bai Sui He". There is a bus service to take you there and back. To complete the "Jade Dragon Snow Mountain" route, it is necessary to go there because there is still time before the cable car ride at 2:00 PM.


As I mentioned before, today is Labor Day and there are a lot of people. So many people that it's easy to step on each other's toes.


The park bus took us here. Baishuihe is a place where humans imitate nature. Behind it is the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a picture of indescribable beauty.

** Nature tourism requires a good attitude. On the day I visited "Jade Dragon Snow Mountain", the sky was overcast and the wind was strong, making it difficult to see the mountain peak clearly. However, it was fortunate that the cable car to the mountain was not closed. On days with strong winds, the cable car may be closed for the safety of tourists. In the midst of misfortune, I was still lucky that things didn't turn out worse. Whatever happens, "it's always good", right?


After taking some photos, we returned to the tourist service center to queue for the bus to the cable car station. There were a lot of people, and I queued from 1:30 pm to about 2:30 pm before I could get on the bus. What's even more amazing is that there were a lot of people waiting at the cable car station. It was so crowded that I felt discouraged. But since I was already there, I had to wait. I came to China because I wanted to appreciate the beauty of this place. If you are planning to visit China, don't forget to check the Chinese holiday calendar.


The peak of waiting in line for the cable car, the "Chinese tour group" broke the line that I and everyone had lined up in an orderly manner (most Chinese people like to go on tours, and the tour guide is the one who leads the trouble). Two Thais, me and P'Rang, tried to ask the people next to us, "What happened?" A group of Chinese people were very nice and tried to explain to us that the tourists seemed to be getting frustrated because they had been waiting in line for the cable car for a while. There was a small commotion, and the staff tried to cut off the line to prevent people from cutting in (it was a glass door leading to the cable car waiting hall). The more they cut the line, the more people tried to cut in, but luckily they cut the line a few people after me. Anyway, when they come to Thailand, don't be angry with them, because they even cut in line at home. 55 (just kidding)


It wasn't until around 4:00 PM that I finally got on the cable car, and the breathtaking view that unfolded before me was truly worth the wait. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain lived up to its reputation, its majestic snow-capped peaks truly a sight to behold.


Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, also known as Yulong Xueshan, is located northwest of Lijiang Old Town. It is a towering mountain with snow-capped peaks all year round. The mountain range encompasses diverse landscapes, including valleys, streams, cliffs, and the Naxi grasslands. From afar, the mountain range resembles a crawling dragon. The white snow that covers it looks like white jade, contrasting with the blue sky, resembling a white dragon in the sky. Hence, the mountain range is named Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Tourists can take a cable car to the viewing platform on the mountaintop, which is over 3,356 meters high and 4,506 meters above sea level, to enjoy the breathtaking views of the natural scenery. Along the way up the mountain, they can admire and immerse themselves in the cold embrace of nature. Moreover, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the origin of the Naxi people's legends, who have resided in the plains of this region for thousands of years. The mountain range is densely covered with vegetation. During spring, wildflowers bloom in vibrant colors. People gather to herd their livestock, such as goats, sheep, and yaks, to graze on the grasslands.

As I mentioned before, on the day I went, not only were there a lot of people, but the wind was also very strong. The stairs leading up to the top, which were built for tourists to climb and admire the beauty, had to be closed due to the danger of wind and snow. So I could only take pictures from the viewpoint at 4,506 meters. The air at the top was thin, the wind was strong, and it was very, very cold. The temperature at the top was -3 degrees Celsius. I could only take pictures for a short while before I had to go down because there were too many people, the wind was too strong, and it was too cold.



Worries began to grow as it was around 5:00 PM and the driver must have been waiting for us. More importantly, if the driver didn't wait, "how would I get back?" Finally, I descended from the last mountain set at 8:00 PM, preparing to be scolded in Chinese. Upon reaching the tourist service point, we rushed to the security guard and tried to communicate with him to help us call the driver's number. We also handed him a business card. // I must thank the kindness of the security guard, who also allowed us to follow him to the meeting point with the driver.

As soon as we got in the car, we were bombarded with scolding. The two of us were completely silent, unable to defend ourselves. It was a terrible moment. Even though we didn't understand what he was saying, we could tell from his body language, the pointing at his watch, and the loud voice that "we shouldn't argue." 5555 We were sitting in the car, talking to each other, "Are we going to be killed and dumped on the side of the road?" 5555 Actually, the uncle wasn't that fierce. It was really beyond his control because there were so many people. I'm sorry, uncle.

When we arrived at the old town of Lijiang, I handed my phone with the calculator app open to the uncle and asked him to punch in the amount we should pay for the delay and the rent. Consider it an atonement... Back at the hostel, the two of us asked the hostel staff to help us contact a bus to Tiger Leaping Gorge for the two of us, as we were going on an adventure the next day... The hostel was happy to store our luggage for free, so we left it there for a day....





The second day of sightseeing ended when I took some paracetamol and went to sleep at the hostel.

////Daily reflection "Don't travel to China" during festivals or holidays, or you'll die a horrible death (like me). Good night, see you tomorrow at the Tiger's Leap Gorge. Tiger's Leap Gorge: Days 3-4 of the trip (May 2-3, 2016) Tired to the point of begging for life....

I woke up this morning with a sore throat. Why? My Chinese roommate (we share a room with 4 people) wanted to inhale the cold air (I think). He opened the bedroom door, and the Lijiang air at night was 7 degrees. Crazy! (Even though the bed I'm sleeping on is an electric bed, I didn't dare to plug it in to sleep. I mean, I've never slept with wires like this, right? I'm afraid of getting electrocuted. 5555) But whatever, I'm feeling better than I did before I went to bed last night, when I had a headache. It must be from climbing the snow mountain....

This morning, we had to walk out to wait for the bus, which wasn't far from the hostel. The hostel staff told us that the bus would arrive at 7:50 AM, and it arrived right on time. I was the last passenger to board, and there were no Chinese people on the bus. It was all foreign tourists. Today, my dream will be complete.

We dozed on and off for about 2 hours before the car stopped and a Chinese official boarded to collect the park entrance fee of 52 yuan per person. We drove a little further and were dropped off in front of the village, the starting point of our hardship, fatigue, weariness, and... beauty.


Day 1 Destination: Drop-off point in Jiexiu Town - Halfway GH Day 2 Halfway GH-Tina's Guesthouse
The walking map to Halfway Guesthouse looks pretty easy from the map, like a leisurely stroll in the backyard garden.

In reality, it's "hellishly tiring" but also "heavenly beautiful".



Tiger Leaping Gorge is located about 60 kilometers north of Lijiang City. This gorge is about 15 kilometers long. The Tiger Leaping Gorge Trail is a waterway flanked by the 5,596-meter-high Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the east and the 5,396-meter-high Haba Snow Mountain to the west. The deepest point from the top of the mountain to the river below is about 3,800 meters deep, and there are 2,000-meter-high cliffs along both sides of the mountain range.

This is a popular trekking route for foreigners. There are two ways to visit Trok: 1. You can take a car to the end to take pictures, or 2. You can trek along the river, along the edge of the cliff....

The trekking starts at 9.50 am.

This trek attracts people from all over the world. I met people from Singapore, Malaysia, France, Sweden, and two Thais. The trail I hiked is called the Upper Trekking Route, a 24-kilometer trek starting in Qiaotou Town and ending at Tina's Guesthouse in the middle of Tiger Leaping Gorge. The average trekking time is 13 hours. The first stop is Halfway Guesthouse (approximately 7-9 hours), which we must reach before sunset (in Yunnan, the sun sets around 8 pm: the Chinese government has declared the entire country to be in the +8 time zone, even though it could be divided into 5 time zones). The next day, we trek to Tina's Guesthouse (2-4 hours). There is no set time for the trek, as it depends on each person's physical and mental strength.

The most tiring part of the hike was the initial climb, which was a steep ascent from 1,800 meters to 2,600 meters above sea level. If you can get through this part, you're good to go. The most challenging part, to put it mildly, was the 28th bend. It was so tiring that my legs couldn't lift themselves. Each step was a struggle. I had to stop after every two steps. I couldn't help it. It was dusty and tiring, but with a view like this, I had to keep going. I used to be afraid of walking along cliffs, but not anymore. My mind and body were focused on lifting my legs and getting as much oxygen into my lungs as possible.

We started walking up the steep path. Our legs were still strong, so we took it easy.


The green rice fields are an aerial view of the NaXi village. This is where I stopped for lunch. After that, I walked to see the sign that people have been talking about.


This is the starting point of the 28 hellish curves. The sign reads "Gain energy to tackle the 28 bends!" After this sign, be prepared for your vital signs to drop immediately.

On the Halfway map, it's super close, but in reality, "Oh my god, I'm dead." Why are you lying to me? //For those who don't want to walk the 28 hellish curves, the villagers have horses available. But for those who have energy to spare, walking is better... I've made it through, so everyone can!

Deep below is the point where the tour will come down to take a picture of the tiger leaping. You can just sit back and relax in the car.


Walking and taking pictures...no matter how tired I am, I won't give up...actually, I am a little scared, but if I just sit here and die, that's not okay. 555


After passing the 28 hellish curves and walking for another 2 hours, we finally dragged our weary bodies to the Tea Horse Guesthouse around 4 pm. We asked the staff how much longer it would take to reach Halfway Guesthouse. The staff smiled and replied, "About 3 hours. I think you will arrive after sunset." At that moment, the song "Different people, different words, can only look at each other's eyes" popped into our heads. Oh my god, is it really that long? The two of us didn't say a word and continued walking. Finally, we arrived at our destination.


Halfway Guesthouse at 6:30 PM (but the sun hasn't set yet).

A top-notch cafe with a stunning view, the atmosphere is a stark contrast to the exhaustion...


We spent about 9 hours walking on the first day, including short breaks, long breaks, and photo breaks, but I can assure you that this place is truly amazing. This evening, we were able to soak in the beautiful atmosphere and absorb the feeling of "I'm finally here..." I even had the chance to show off some pictures via FaceTime to make people in Thailand jealous, haha. "I'm going to travel and make people jealous." We slept here for one night and also booked a car back to Lijiang in advance. That way, when we arrive at Tina's Guesthouse, we won't have to worry about not having a car. I asked the owner of Halfway, and he said there will be only one car leaving at 3:30 PM.


The atmosphere here is amazing. Behind me, I can see the snow-capped Hapa Mountain. But with extreme fatigue and a feeling that "I'll definitely wake up with a sore groin," I lie down to recharge under the thick, soft blanket. I breathe in the cool air until morning. I slept very comfortably that night because I was extremely tired, especially my legs. It felt like I wanted to take my legs off and hang them on the wall.

I woke up early to see the sunrise hit the snowy peaks, it was so refreshing. I took a picture to show off to my friends on Facebook "Today I'm taking a vacation to travel" 555 Last night I thought I would definitely have sore legs, but this morning I have no symptoms at all. I have the strength to continue walking. So we hurried to eat breakfast and walked on foot, leaving at 8:00 am. Our destination is Tina's GH, walking along the edge of the cliff all the way. We found a huge and beautiful waterfall. A herd of goats that were herded to eat grass at the foot of the mountain were coming to compete for the path of the tourists. Most importantly, you should not block the goats, if you don't want to be hit and fall off the mountain.

Walking along the edge of the cliff, there was a bend where the village was clearly visible. "There it is, Tina," it seemed that in another 15 minutes we would reach our destination. But in reality,


Where did you get "another 2 hours" ......

We finally arrived at Tina's GH. This morning, I walked from Halfway GH for about 2.30 hours. In total, it took me about 11.30 hours to walk the entire route. All the tourists who come here have to wait for their travel time, whether they are going to Shangri-La or returning to Lijiang, they have to take the bus from the same point and at a similar time. I have a lot of free time today, so I walked around the village and sat down to wait until 3:30 pm.


The end of the journey to the tiger jumping gorge with a picture from the classic road car. The brakes are not working, which means "only death". I have no choice.

Lijiang Old Town: Day 4-5 of the trip (May 3-4, 2016)


As I was riding back from Tiger Leaping Gorge, I had time to research the history of the world-famous ancient city of Lijiang. My travel mood in China with "Talon Travel" is not over yet. Lijiang is a small town nestled in the mountains of northern Dali, with a history of over 800 years. It is home to the Naxi people, who migrated from Tibet.

And there is the old city of Lijiang, which has been well preserved and maintained, with its Chinese architecture. It was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

After visiting the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and hiking the Tiger Leaping Gorge, my trip is complete. Initially, I had hoped to visit the "Blue Moon Snow Mountain in Shangri-La," but I made the right decision to change my plans and go to Tiger Leaping Gorge instead. Therefore, for the remaining days, I will be enjoying the city and relaxing. There are no more strenuous activities planned.

As I strolled through the streets of Lijiang at night, I found myself at the entrance of the Old Town. Unfortunately, a light drizzle had begun to fall, casting a dampener on the evening. I decided to return to my original hostel to collect my belongings and discuss with my friend, Brother Rang, our plan to find new accommodation. We agreed to start our search from the city center, specifically the "Water Wheel", a landmark of Lijiang.

Tonight we will be staying at a hotel that costs 120 yuan per room. It's a good deal and not too expensive. I'll skip the hotel review for now, but if you're interested, you can message me for more details. I don't want to make this post too long, so let's focus on the tourist attractions instead.


Do you guys remember? When I was in Kunming, there was a character I said I would come to Lijiang. I arranged a line to meet Brother Gag, an engineer who ran away from his children to travel.

As usual, we met up for a small meal, listened to some music, and had a few beers. Three guys, three perspectives. We went to see the lively atmosphere of the old city of Lijiang (lots of pubs and bars). It's an old city that's not quite ideal, haha, but it was a lot of fun.

As we ventured deeper into the ancient city of Lijiang, the unique charm and beauty of this historic place became increasingly apparent. We strolled along the tightly packed stone paths, gradually ascending the hillside. The ancient Chinese-style wooden buildings, with their aged and mystical aura, lined our path. Glancing back, we were met with a breathtaking sight: a dense cluster of houses with their roofs overlapping, creating a picturesque scene.


Within the Lijiang Old Town, there are numerous alleys and lanes lined with beautiful ancient houses, inviting visitors to explore and capture stunning photographs. Along the narrow alleys, old houses stand beside small streams with crystal-clear water flowing around them. Stone bridges connect the houses, and the water from these streams has been the lifeblood of Lijiang's residents since ancient times. Even today, it continues to nourish the Old Town, keeping it vibrant and remarkably beautiful.

We ended the tiring night from trekking with cold beers and chill music. After that, we went our separate ways.


Lijiang Old Town, Central Day, Day 5 of the trip (May 4, 2016)

Waking up early with many intentions. My journey doesn't end easily. Today I will go see 1) "Wan Koo Hole" roof sea.


2) Black Dragon Pool Park 3) Suzhou Old Town and 4) Arrive in Dali before nightfall

Most of the houses have been converted into shops selling a wide variety of local products, from beautiful woven fabrics to clothes, bags, shoes, silverware, souvenirs, and more. There are also old houses that have been converted into guesthouses. The most admirable thing is that "the Lijiang people have maintained the unique character of their city very well".


Sea view roof "Wan Gu Hou"

I walked through the central square of Lijiang Old Town to admire the beauty of Lijiang Old Town. I stepped on the stone steps, step by step, to reach the highest point of Lijiang Old Town.

Black Dragon Pond, a highlight of Li Jiang


After getting off the cable car, we took a walk to admire the beauty of nature. We arrived at the "Black Dragon Pool," a popular tourist destination not far from Lijiang's Old Town. The pool is called the Black Dragon Pool because, according to legend, a black dragon emerged from the water hundreds of years ago. The Naxi people, who believe in dragons, named the pool after the mythical creature.

Suhe Old Town: A Charming Old Town


The old town of Suhe is quiet and not crowded. It's a pleasure to stroll through the quaint old houses, each of which has been converted into a shop. You can also see the local people making and selling silver jewelry to tourists. And if you get hungry, there are plenty of locals selling fresh fruit and local products. I didn't stay in the town for long, as I had to take a bus to Dali this afternoon.

A notable observation of every ancient city in China is the presence of a small stream flowing through it, which is considered a unique characteristic of ancient Chinese cities.


In the afternoon, I went back to the hotel to pick up my backpack and belongings before taking the bus at Lijiang Bus Station to Dali. Hello Dali, Dali Old Town: Days 5-6 of the trip (May 4-5, 2016)

I took the bus from Lijiang Bus Station to Dali Old Town. This city is the last stop of my trip. I will have to take the train back to Kunming on the evening of May 5th and return to Bangkok at 12:00 pm on Friday, May 6th.

Dali is the capital of the Bai Autonomous Prefecture, located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, a southwestern border province of China. It is situated on a plateau between the Cangshan Mountains to the west and Erhai Lake to the east. It has been home to the Bai and Yi people since ancient times. Today, Dali is a major tourist destination, attracting visitors from both China and abroad. It is one of the most popular tourist cities in Yunnan Province.


My trip to Dali was rather impromptu, so I didn't do much preparation. I just went with the flow, so to speak. The old town of Dali is a bustling community where people live their lives without much alteration to their homes, unlike the old town of Lijiang. At night, Dali comes alive with vendors selling all sorts of goods, rivaling any other city. I couldn't resist taking a stroll through the lively streets before heading back to my guesthouse for the night.

The next morning, I took the opportunity to go for a leisurely bike ride to enjoy the nature around Erhai Lake. Actually, there are many other places that I didn't go to, so I apologize for not covering the tourist attractions in Dali City. As I mentioned, Dali is a city that I chose to come to to take the train back and to relax.


And then the final chapter of this trip came to an end. In the late afternoon, I took a bus to Dali New Town, a truly grand city.


Checked in and got my train ticket back to Kunming. Can't wait to get home and eat some stir-fried minced pork with basil and a fried egg (I'm so hungry!).

Kunming: Day 7 of the trip (May 6, 2016)


I arrived in Kunming at 5 am by train as usual. This morning I didn't go anywhere. I went straight to the airport shuttle bus. The check-in counter opened at 9:00 am and I waited for my flight home....

Summary of necessary fees (per person)

Entrance fee to Yuan Tong Temple is 6 yuan.

Entrance fee to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Park: 104 yuan

Cable car ticket price (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) 200 yuan

Tiger Leaping Gorge entrance fee is 52 yuan.

Lijiang City Maintenance Fee 80 yuan

There are many other necessary expenses, but I won't go into details because the travel methods, accommodation, and food are up to the tourist's style. I used Pocket Money for about 8,000 baht (for 7 days), excluding the round-trip airfare, round-trip train, and visa that I paid for while I was in Thailand. It's worth it. The total should not exceed 20,000 baht.

My solo trip, planned by myself from the very beginning.
Who would have known that such a wonderful friendship would blossom unexpectedly?
To those who are afraid of traveling... don't be. It's the spice of life.
No one can give you this kind of life experience, so you have to "go and face it".


From the days before I had a mustache, to the 7 fun-filled days with a long mustache.


7 Days journey to Yunnan Escape to Yunnan...Shangri-La that cannot be reached


Hello, Kunming.


Traveler's Notes: https://www.facebook.com/khonkheetiew


There are behind-the-scenes stories that were not told in the post, but I will gradually post them on the page.

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