We chose ASA Holiday again, based on our good experience with them three years ago when travelling to Taiwan. And it turns out Fantastic!
This time, we have joined their 8-Day Yun Nan Wonderful Insight Tour, 19th to 26th November 2017. Before the departure, we have attended a briefing on the tour itinerary, and things to prepare and lookout for.
During the briefing, we were told that since we were a small group (i.e. 12 pax only), thus, we will not have a Singapore Tour Guide Assistance (领队), We will travel together with the China Tour Guide and Driver by ourselves. This information have really stressed out our group, especially the older age members. Further to that, more stressful information conveyed to us, since we are a small group, we will not be travelling is big comfort bus (大巴). Instead, will be a smaller transportation. WOW! This info have raised the anxiety of our group members. Everybody raised their concern about the comfort-ness of the transport. But the in-charge say that the transport will be cater more than enough for all of us and our belongings. Another "BLOW" to us, we are informed that we will come across toilet which is dirty and with NO DOOR. OMG again! .... Let's relax...Other than that, we are told that we are encourage to buy the Oxygen Spray Bottle while we are at the Yu Long Snow Mountain, and Shangri-La, as the places are mountain areas, high above sea level, and the air is rather "thin".
Just 5 days before departure, I was down with terrible flu, cough, sore throat, a little running nose. I hardly can voice out during my 3 days before departure. OMG! How am I going to do about it? I went to see the GP and got my medicine and MC, been on medication for the two full day and sleep almost all day. Finally get better (but not fully recover) just the night before my departure. I stopped my medication on the departure morning, pulling my luggage and carry my bag and camera and set off. We have an early flight at 8am, and we need to reach to the airport at 6am.
With complex feelings, uncertain of what will happen next, yet still able to comfortably slept on plane. After 3.5 hours flight, we reached Kunming Airport. The Airport was small, nothing fanciful. Getting out of the arrival gate, we met our tour guide. A young lady. skinny in size, smile and greeted us. Her name was Xiao Jin ( 小金), *ofcos not her full name*. And we have been brought to have our first lunch in Yun Nan, Kuming.
I am still couldn't believed that I am in Yu Nan already. The surroundings is so plain, the restaurant just look pretty ordinary, except with a few Chinese Decoration. The weather is windy and cooling, not that cold that we have been told during the briefing. The dishes was not tasty at all! Oily and salty. But we were hungry, so we got to eat it.
DAY 1 - SINGAPORE- KUNMING - CHUXIONG
Lufeng World Dinosaur Valley （恐龙谷）
After lunch, we headed to Chu Xiong's Lufeng Dinosaur Valley. Lufeng is the place where lots of Dinosaur fossils were discovered and unearthed in the biggest quantity, most complete skeletons and richest species. Lufeng is dubbed as "Hometown of Dinosaurs".
Despite lots of Dinosaur fossils found, there was not a single Dinosaur egg been discovered in that area. The Dinosaur eggs are found on the other parts of China, which a guess-ti-ma-tion made, it can be due to the Dinosaur mummies traveled to certain place to lay their eggs, where they don't usually stay there.
It is spectacular to see so many Dinosaur Skeleton been displayed in the hall. They are in different sizes.
That's marked the end of the day. We proceed to our hotel of the night, Yun Hua Hotel (云华酒店). The foyer of the hotel have plenty of potted plants.
DAY 2 - CHUXIONG - DALI - LIJIANG
We have a buffet breakfast. BUFFET! Sounds good, can eat till you are satisfy! But after walking through the buffet set-up, near to nothing that I have looking forward to. The variety is very simple, plain porridge, some oily and salty dishes to go with it, and other buns and breads. Nothing made my saliva drip, just merely filling in my stomach for the sake of hunger.
We hopped on to our coach, and set off to our next destination, Dali (大理).
Forgot to mentioned, our coach is big! HeeHee HAHA... Our first anxiety cleared. We are 12pax group, and the coach is meant for maybe 30 pax. We managed to one person grabbed two seats. And this coach will be our transport for our 8 Day tour.
It was lunch time when we reached Dali, and we have been brought to a restaurant in another hotel (not the one we are staying). Not surprise, the dishes is same same. Despite, the surrounding is good, cozy, with very traditional Chinese feel, with lots of potted plants too.
We headed to Dali Gu Chen (大理古城), and the Yang Ren Jie (洋人街). It comprises of streets of shops, with very traditional Chinese Feel. YEAH.. Chinese Feel all round in Yunnan!
We did not really stop and buy things, only walk around and took some photos. We are been on a guided tour offered by the place. We have been brought to some historical places for photo taking. Also, some of their shop names are so creative. Strolling in this area is so relaxing and enjoyable.
And, that marked end of the day's destination. We hopped on our coach to Lijiang (丽江), for our dinner. Apart from that, our tour guide, Xiao Jin, also passed her responsibilities to another tour guide, Ah Liu (阿刘), who will accompany us to dinner, hotel and the next day's tour.
During our trip to Lijiang, we can see the beautiful scenery of the Er Hai (洱海). Although it is named as "Hai" (which means sea), it is not sea, it is s big lake. Xiao Jin told us that in Yunan, there is no sea, due to mountainous area. There is only lake, which the local like to name it as "Hai".
The practice in China is that, there will be different tour guide for each zone. So, we have a total of three different tour guide throughout the tour. Xiao Jin is the key tour guide, who will come and go, also the first and last tour guide for us during this adventure.
DAY 3 - LIJIANG
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain （玉龙雪山）
Before heading to the Snow Mountain, we are advised to buy the oxygen bottle. As the Snow Mountain is approximate 4000m above sea level, the air is very thin. At this high sea level area, many of the tourists may faced High Mountain Sickness (高山症), which most commonly seen effects are giddiness, breathless, unable to stand properly, or even fainted. Some affected person may need to be hospitalized for a night.
Furthermore, the tour guide have also emphasized that those ho are down with flu, are not encourage to go to high mountainous area. When I heard it, I was so afraid, because I'm the one who is down with flu, and have not fully recovered. Nonetheless, I am already there, so, I got to give it a try or give it up and stay at the bottom of the mountain.
The oxygen bottle cost 60 RMB. Each of us bought the oxygen bottle and headed up to the Snow Mountain via cable car.
My heart was popping while the cable car made its way up. As the cable car reaches the top, I can feel breathless. When I stepped out of the cable car, the feeling was pretty bad, I could not enjoy the scenery, because just not feeling well, feeling giddy and breathless. I managed to took some photos, and sat down on the available bench. My face turned pale, and just could not walk too much. I kept breathing from the oxygen bottle and told myself to relax. My 20 minutes just passed by sitting on the bench. I passed my camera to my brother to take photos from the higher level.
Despite, the weather is good. The whole mountain was visible, not covered by any clouds. The sky was blue and clear. But the disappointed part is, there was no snow-ing, only snow that was already sat on the ground.
White Water River under Blue Moon Valley (蓝月谷， 白水河）
Getting down from the Snow Mountain, as a very pretty river. We got to pay for the round-trip shuttle service (电瓶车) to get around the river to take photos and enjoy the scenery.
Remember the first time we met Ah Liu, when he first introduced this place in English, his way of speaking "White Water River under Blue Moon Valley" was very interesting, got his Chinese slang, which sounds like Indian language. To be frank, I could not catch what he said, but did not want to clarify. Later when we get familiar to Ah Liu, we bought this topic out as he kept saying the phrase repeatedly, then we realised that everyone of us did not catch what he said initially. We broke into laughter, and trying to learn to speak the phrase the way he speak.
Ah Liu told us that this area can be said to be mini Jiu Zai Gou.
The water is really clear and blue (or green?). Very good place for wedding shots (which we saw at least two couples taking their wedding shot there)
Impression Lijiang (印象丽江）
"Impression Lijiang" is an outdoor cultural play directed by Zhang Yimou, which is performed at the world's highest performance stage, at 3300 meters above sea level, with Yulong Snow Mountain as a background.
Frankly speaking, the performance is so-so.
Dayan Ancient Town, Square Street and Black Dragon Park (大研古镇， 黑龙潭， 四方街）
We headed to three other places thereafter. Just see the photos below, nothing much to mention, except that I really like the Square Street, very nice place for strolling and photo taking, and we saw a white cat on the tree (which marked a "tourist spot", and we stopped there like 10 minutes or so, just to capture the extraordinary scene.
Dayan Ancient Town
Square Street
Black Dragon Park
DAY 4 - LIJIANG, SHANGRI-LA
After breakfast, we were brought to the Lijiang Gu Chen (丽江古城). Many of the shops were not opened, as it was too early. Thus, we only enjoy the scenery of the street, and what I can say, it is beautiful. We also spotted a dog with eyebrow... OH..
After lunch, we have a short farewell with Ah Liu, and met Xiao Jin again, who will bring us to Shangri-la and meet with another tour guide, Xiao He (小何), or we can call her Zhuo Ma (it means Ms, a way to address a female in Zhang Zhu （藏族), or we can call her Yue Liang (Moon, which is her name).
He Zhuo Ma was a chubby women, very out-going feel. And we are told again to buy another bottle of Oxygen, as the area we are in are pretty high, approximate 3790m above sea level. And we are told, we may have difficulty in getting to sleep in the night, due to shortage of oxygen. Ya, it's true, our sleep during the night at Shangri-La was not going well, I have slight headache and just could not get into sleep.
Hu Tiao Xia (虎跳峡)
On our way to Hu Tiao Xia, was very beautiful scenery. Our coach was travelling on the edge of the road, which when we look down was pretty high. I was half asleep to keep myself in the best form and I try to look down... Kind of giddy as the coach is turning almost every move.
To get the best view of the Hu Tiao Xia, we have to walk down approximate 2000 steps. And to return, we got to walk up again 2000 steps. It is the time when we sweat, although it was cooling, the sun was strong.
A few aunties, including my mum, did not get down, they waited us upstair.
There was Jiao Zhi （轿子）available at 200RMB, where two muscular man will carry you via sedan chair, down and up again the 2000 steps. None of our group member op for the mode of transport..
And we headed to our dinner place. Those who are strong enough, can walk up approximate 200 steps into the temple (which I did not, because walking stairs in this area is very tedious, the air is really thin)
DAY 5 - SHANGRI-LA , LIJIANG
Shangri-La is a place where the toilet in the middle of the road, have no door, yet we still need to pay 1 dollar RMB to use it. But the toilets at the tourist attraction are with doors.
Pudacuo National Park (普达措国家森林公园)
It is a beautiful lake place, where we got the chance to feel the snow flakes... Yes, it's snowing! The snow flakes are too tiny to be captured by the camera. It is approximate 3500 - 4000 meter above sea level, and it's cold, think is approximate 2 degree celsius at that time.
There are two ways to enjoy the scenery, by foot or by boat. And we all choose to tour by boat (at our own expenses).
Tibetan Family
Thereafter, we have been brought to see a traditional Tibetan House. We are told that the house can hold hundreds of people. Inside the house, it has a very huge foyer, with a stage in the middle, where it is surounded by table and chair, with proper set-up Tibetan's traditional eatery.
At the front entrance, many stones with crafted with the Tibet language "Om Mani Padme Hum", which is a Tibetan's Scripture, which they believe when reading it in the heart or aloud , with give some form of meditation.
After that, we dropped by a green land (I forgot the name). It is where my first attempt to ride a horse. It is very windy and my hand is super freezing.
That's marked the end of our tour in Shangri-La, and we headed back to Lijiang to meet with Ah Liu again, who only accompany us to dinner and back to hotel. Actually the main purpose is just to get us to complete a survey of his services.
DAY 6 - LIJIANG, KUNMING
It is a coach day! We are on the coach the entire day! Approximate every two hours will let us down for toilet and lunch.
At the beginning of the journey, the surroundings is very foggy, we can rarely see what is infront. Kudos to our Coach Captain, Du Shi Fu (杜师傅), who really master his driving skill to bring us through this fogging place safely. Despite there is a little incident that our coach almost hit with another vehicle.
The scenery was pretty cool. The mist just stationary in the middle of the air, just like a "Pause" of a video playing.
Our dinner was mushroom hotpot, which is at our own expenses. It cost us 680RBM for entrance World Dinosaur Village + Mushroom Hotpot.
What I can say is, the Mushroom Hotpot is the best meal we ever had in this entire trip.
DAY 7 - KUNMING
It can say our final day to tour in Yunnan, as Day 8 will be getting ready to the airport only.
Guandu Ancient Town (官渡古镇)
In the morning, we are were bought to Guandu Ancient Town (官渡古镇), where there is an "outlet" of the Shaolin Temple (少林寺). A very Chinese feel street again, and we have our lunch there at our own expenses. We choose to have Guo Qiao Mi Xian (过桥米线). Reason why the dishes is named it that way, is because the dishes was first coincidentally created by a wife, whose husband was trying very hard studying for a better future of his family. His husband was studying at a small house located a bridge across their home, and his wife thinking a way to get some food for his husband, so she cook a pot of soup and bring some 米线 along with. The soup was initially plain, but her small kids accidentally pour in some meats, which the wife intent to make it as side dishes. Nonetheless, the wife just bring the soup over. To bring the food over, the wife need to cross the bridge. Thus, the name of the dish come about.
Thereafter, we are brought to a modern shopping street. Nothing special, except a map of the floor.
Impression of Yunnan (云南映像)
After dinner, we went to watch the live cast Impression of Yunnan, which is also at our own expenses of 280RMB.
The show is pretty good, I felt that he actor and actresses really put their heart for this show. It is a very famous live show in Yunnan, which is initiated by Ms Yang Liping, with her famous Peacock dance (孔雀舞). Ms Yang is currently around 60 years of age, she no longer dance. The dance was performed by her student.
DAY 8 - KUNMING, SINGAPORE
It is a day to prepare to return to Singapore. Complex feelings. How I wish we can go back to the first day when we were in Yunnan, but at the same time, also looking forward to going back to Singapore, missing the food in SG, and miss my bed.
Overall, this trip is a fulfilled one. Going a tour through a travel agency, there may be restrictions, but we got alot of precious information from the tour guide. It's really depend how you want it to be and your choice to make.
I have no doubt that I may go to other places in China in a few years time. Before it turn into a "Man-Made" country, I wish I can see more of China's true images.
Thoughts...
The three tour guides have done fantastic job in providing the most information in the short time-frame.
Xiao Jin is a very young lady born in the 1990, who have to lead all the aunties and uncles. Although we have a slight argument on the drinking water supply initially, the drinking water is provided to us one bottle each day. Sometimes Xiao Jin forgot her script, and just "jump" to another topic.
Ah Liu is a middle-age man in his 40s, he seems fierce. My mum don't really like him (Haha). Nonetheless, I felt he is very straight forward man. He really show us face-color when we came down from the Snow Mountain, thinking whether to take the shuttle service to the lake. But after we made our decision to take the shuttle service, his face "turn back" to its original color.
He Zhuo Ma, a very chubby tour guide. Nothing much to comment about her. Pretty experienced tour guide.
The food in Yunnan is oily, salty and not tasty at all. Some places does not clean their utensils well. So we just have to endure it huh...
It is a good trip afterall... Looking forward to my next trip :)
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