China trip to Yunan [Kunming - Da Li - Li Jiang]@6-17 Feb 2008

We usually travel during Chinese New Year as hubby can have long holidays. Somehow, our plan keep changing this year. Suppose, we wanted to join hubby's friends to Italy then we can extend - free and easy by ourself to other Europe countries. Also, I might be able to visit my friends and brother in UK:P, but most people said winter is not a good time travel to Europe. Then, we wanted to join another group of friends to Hokkaido, Japan. Again, the plan was not success as it's too cold as well. Then, we want to go to India. Actually, I'm the one who want to go again, and again...! So 'we' can travel, at the same time to attend Yoga & meditation courses 'together'. Heheh...XD But, blah blah blah... Finally, we decided to go to China as hubby said must go to China before RMB is expensive. As people advised, it's really not a good time travel to China during CNY as it's their long public holidays and it's really crowded with tourists locally and internationally.

This is our 2nd trip to China. We went to the north China on 2004 - Harbin/Jiling/Shenyang/Dalian/Beijing... etc. We joint Yangtze Cruise & Tour's 08 days Kunming/Dali/Lijiang tour from 6-13Feb'08. As usual, we extended our trip; free and easy by ourself till 17Feb'08. We planned to travel up to Zhong Dian (中甸）or Shangri-la, 198km north west of Li Jiang, which is the next best place to Tibet. Unfortunately, weather was bad which we were not able to do so. Sigh! Anyway, we just travelled around Li Jiang for that few days! We like this place so much and we'll go back again.

Yangtze was recommended by few friends who used to travel around China. We were quite last minute (as usual! sigh!), we signed up the tour only on the 23rd Jan 2008. So, we don't have much choice. The good thing was there were only 8 of us - 4 couples for this tour!

2 Feb'08: woke up very early in the morning and reached KLIA around 630am.

Flight Schedule:
KUL/KUNMING (MAS MH 352) 0900 - 1235

Day 1@6Feb08: KL - Kunming [吉隆坡-昆明(西山龙门-大观楼)]

Kunming: located at the heart of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, is the capital of Yunnan Province. Encircled by mountains and adjoining the highland Dianchi Lake in the south, Kunming is a city of picturesque landscapes. Kunming's highland scenery is alluring and fascinating. Its people are known for their varied and exotic customs. Kunming is famous for its Camellia Dai, Bamboo Craftwork, Dai Brocade Jewelry, Mushrooms, Sani Ethnic, Wax Dyed Cloth, Yunnan Bronze ware, Yunnan tobacco and Zharan.

On the way to 1st destination - 西山龙门

Excursion to the Western Hills and walk through the Dragon Gate.

Western Hill Dragon Gate 西山龙门
The Western Hills, about 15 km from Kunming city, the forest reserve lie along the western shore of Dianchi Lake. It stretches from north to south for about 40 km; altitude of 2,500 metres above sea level. The Hills resemble a reclining maiden lying on the banks of Dianchi Lake with her long hair flowing down into the lake. So it have the nickname of the "A Sleeping Beauty Hills".

In actuality, the Western Hills is a forested and lovely park which is perfect for hiking. Some of the major sites include: Huating Temple (Huating Si), an ancient Buddhist temple that was originally a retreat for the local ruler; Taihua Temple (Taihua Si), with its charming orchard courtyard; Sanqing Pavilion (Sanqingge), a Daoist temple dedicated to that religion's three major deities; and Dragon Gate (Longmen), a collection of Daoist caves and sculptures.

left [L]: Entrance of 'Western Hill Dragon Gate'
right [R]: Isn't easy with the tool!

L: What a beautiful flower during winter!
R: Can you see us through the mirror?:P

Datiange or the Dragon Gate, a temple eyrie on the side of a sheer cliff is the best place to get some idea of how magnificent the sights are. Standing at the Dragon Gate, you can enjoy the beauty of the vast Dianchi Lake. It was said, "Once on the Dragon Gate, your fortune will be made."
"Visiting Kunming without ascending the Dragon Gate is as regretful as visiting Hanzhou without seeing the West Lake."

Grand View Park 大观楼
Grand View Park sits on the northern shores of the Dian Lake, is named after a famous structure called Grand View Tower. The park used to be a private. garden owned by the Mu family. In 1690, large-scale construction was carried out with flowers, trees, ponds, causeways, pavilions and halls added to it.

The park provides a spectacular view across sparkling Dianchi Lake to the distant Western Hills.

Among the ancient architectures in this park, the three-storey Grand View Tower (Daguan Pavilion), rebuilt in 1883 is decorated with flying eaves and splendid paintings. It wa . On the pavilion's lakeside facade hang two 5-meter-long tablets on which a couplet was written by Sun Ranweng, a famous poet of the Qing dynasty. Consisting of 180 Chinese characters, this couplet is reputed as the longest couplet throughout China.

Kunming is a city to be shared -- its sunshine, blue skies, fragrant flowers, leisure pursuits, relaxed ambience... Flowers bloom in a riot of color and plants flourish all year round (most on autumn and winter seasons), thus giving Kunming another name, "Spring City."

Personal feelings and beautiful sceneries mix together in this couplet, adding more charm to this park. Standing on the pavilion, people could have an overview of the park and the sceneries nearby.

Note:
We have taken around 4800 photos (scary!), so I need lot of time sitting down to do the write-up, to filter - sort out - upload the photos! What a tiring day! heheh...

Please be patient yeah! ...to be continued... :P