Travel Log: June 2012

Yunnan China (14th June to 22nd June 2012)

Other Yunnan Trips:

http://swytravel.blogspot.sg/2014/04/2014-yunnan-china-mission-trip.html

Kunming: (The provincial capital city of Yunnan, also known as the spring city)

Jiuxiang (with karst cave area):
(A collection of karst scenery within a cave landscape. A masterpiece of nature. With hundreds of karst caves of different sizes and is also known as "Cave Museum". The caves are within the gorges and the gorges are within the caves; there are also gorges, rivers and bridges within the caves).

Shilin (The Stone Forests):

(made up of limestone karst; due to the process of weathering and erosion, nature has created an art gallery of stone sculptures; the majestic view earned it the title of "Wonder of the World")

(A UNESCO World Heritage site since June 2007, as part of the South China Karst)

Qicai Yunnan (Colourful Yunnan):

Herbal Cuisine (at Longway Hotel):

Daguan Lou (Daguan Pavilion):

(built during the Kangxi reign, it was named after the beautiful landscape of Dianchi Lake with Mt Xishan in the horizon)

Jixin Yanwu (Jixin Banquet):

(A performance with a huge cast of 180 people from various minority tribes; with special cuisines from various Yunnan minority tribes; this dinner cum performance feast has been ongoing for more than 6 years, and has received hundreds of diplomats from several countries, including the Chairman Jiang Zemin)

Yunnan Cross-Bridge Noodles:

Sword Flame meat / Bundled eggs & milk fan / Tiger's paw & fresh vegetable roll / Yunnan steamboat chicken

Luyu Tea Culture Exchange Centre:

Jun Huoguo (Mushroom Steamboat Feast):

Yuantong Si (Yuantong Temple):

Yunnan Military Academy:

Cui Hu Gong Yuan (Cui Hu Park):

Flower Market:

East and West Pagodas:

Jinmabiji Pavilion:

On the way to Dali:

The Dinosaur Valley (China's largest dinosaur excavation site, with the largest dinosaur fossils)

(The world's largest dinosaur park with the world's largest burial site of dinosaur fossils from the late-mid-Jurassic period; a huge museum is built over the actual excavation sites; a theme park with rides is also added)

Dali:

Gao Yuan Ming Zhu (Pearl Square):

(An Icon of Dali)

Er'hai Lake:

Dali Tianlongbabu Movie Filming City:

(located at the Cang'er scenic area, it is the filming site for the serial show)

Dali Gu Cheng (Dali Ancient City):

(It has more than 600 years of history. It has attracted lots of foreigners from different countries)

Yang Ren Jie (Foreigners Street)

Dali Claypot Fish:

Lijiang:

The Villa that we stayed in, with a butler at our service:

"Impression of Lijiang" - an ecological stage performance directed by the renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou, with the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as the backdrop:

Blue Moon Valley of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area:

(with breathtaking view of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain)

Jade Water Village Scenic Area:

(the core of Naxi culture, a perfect fusion of the natural scenic landscape and the ancient Dongba Culture)

Lijiang Ancient Town:

(A UNESCO World Heritage site)

(It has a unique characteristic of rivers and bridges everywhere in the town)

Birds-eye view of the Lijiang Ancient Town from the Lion Hill:

Shuhe Tea-horse Ancient Town:

(It is a must pass through route for business in the Southern Silk Road in the past)

(Together with Lijiang Ancient Town, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site)

Black Dragon Pool Park:

(this was the source of water flow during the ancient times)

(the lake is clearly visible and also known as Jade Spring)

First Bend of the Yangtze River:

(It is the longest river in both China and Asia, and the World's third longest. It flows through Jinsha River, and has a sudden turn of 180 degrees at the Shiku Town.)

(First Bend of the Yangtze River 长江第一湾:

where the south running river suddenly turns northward due to changes in the shape of the nearby mountain ranges)

Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area:

(a scenic canyon on the upper Yangtze River;

Legend: in ancient times, a tiger leaped across the gorge at this narrowest part of the river which is just 30m wide.)

On the way to Shangrila:

Shangri-La:

On the way to Shika Snow Mountain:

Shika Snow Mountain base:

(Shika is a Tibetan word meaning a mountain with horses and deer; it also means Longevity and Eliminate Evil)

Ready to ascend to 4500m:

(a signboard reminding trekkers to prepare oxygen and winter wear)

Ascending by cable car:

Shika Snow Mountain:

View from the peak of Shika Snow Mountain:

The summit of Shika Snow Mountain:

Shangri-la Old Town:

(also called Dukezong Ancient Town which means "Sun and Moon city"; it is one of the most well preserved ancient towns where the largest group of Tibetan resides. It is also the hub for the Tea-horse ancient way)

(the world largest Tibetan Spin Wheel:)

(I travelled more than 3000 km to Shangrila, went up to 3300 m altitude, & found a little piece of Singapore here.)

The Compass Lodge and Cafe, at Shangri-la Old Town:

(The cafe is owned by a Singaporean couple who went to Shangrila for honeymoon & fell in love with the place. They gave up their jobs in Singapore, & settled there, opening a cafe, The Compass Lodge and Cafe, followed by a cake shop, In & Out By The Compass.)

(http://singaporeanabroad.blogspot.sg/2012/01/singaporean-abroad-in-shang

ri-la.html for more info)