6D/5N 云南游：昆明-大理-丽江 (2008/12/21-26)

2008/12/26- 上海 by plane to 昆明, Minibus to 大理

Joined the China Internal tour for local people. 9 of us from Shanghai, 7 Shanghainese and Me + Amanda (GF). A tour guide and a bus driver.

Day 1 (12/21)
Once we reached Kunming, we when for a city tour to a famous town square. After the short tour, we went straight to Dali for dinner and night rest. 6 hours drive.

Day 2 (12/22)
The next day, we visited a 白族豪宅, for a view of the old 白族 living quarters and their cultural performance. The 白族 ladies are very fair and pretty.



After the Mansion, we go for a boat ride on the 西湖 Lake, part of 洱海 Lake. The sky was so blue and the scenery around is really peaceful and quite. Very relaxing boat ride, with strong sunshine. We proceed to 丽江 after lunch in a restaurant besides the lake.

Late in the after noon, we reached 观音峡. This is the 1st stop and gate way to 丽江. This place used to be a place for horses to rest. The water is really clean tasty, with many fishes clearly been seen.

Day 3 (12/23)
We start off our morning to 丽江古镇. This is a world heritage site. This old city have survived a devastating 7.6 scale earth quake with just minor damage, that demonstrated the ancient Chinese architectural genius. From the streets we can see 玉龙雪山. The mountain of 5000+ meters which we suppose to climb next.

Very unfortunately, although the day is so clear with no clouds at all, the cable car company cannot operate due to strong wind. All of us are really disappointed. This was the main attraction of this trip. 玉龙雪山 is one of the Chinese National Park. From the near peak at 4,680meters (highest spot accessible by human), we should be able to witness glacial formation and breath taking view, especially nice clear sunny day... too bad... maybe next time. Just took some pictures at the bottom of the mountain.

Since we have extra time, we visited again to the Ancient City, this time we take our time to walk slowly and enjoy every bit of what the City has to offer. There is a famous 酒吧街 in the city, I took a short film , but no pictures.

The Fat Cat ignored me even I was so near to him. He is looking at another thin cat, picking up a fight.

Day4 (12/24)
We left 丽江 and headed back to 大理. Visited the 3 Pagoda from the out side and another ancient city. The City Walls are very much intact, and is one of the most well preserved city walls in China. We headed for 楚雄 for the night. This place is going to be a hot tourist spot in coming years. They will be opening a Dinosaur Fossil Museum very soon in 2008.

Day 5 (12/25)

石林公园 is a must go place in 云南. We spend more than 2 hours walking inside the park. It is really breath taking. And inside the park is like a giant maze. We could not cover the entire place due to restrain of Time and Energy. After that, we went to a shopping spot for the famous 普洱茶，and Chinese Medicine like 三七，藏红花. We proceed to 昆明 for our final night stay.

Day6 (12/26)
In the morning, we visited some shopping spot (Jade Shop, Flower Market, Flower Oil Essence shop (which I think is really cheap for 100% natural flower oil). Bought some Jade 翡翠pendants of 貔貅 for Mom, Amanda and my self (cost me a bomb!) and headed to the airport.

Over all was a very good trip!! The food was nice, surprisingly!! The only regret will be not going up to 玉龙雪山. And I really have to thank Amanda to be so sporting, although she was down with flu and fever due to the cold weather, we under estimated the weather.