Spending the Yuan: A Solo Slow Travel in Kunming, Lijiang, and Dali - 6 Days 5 Nights
The meaning of earning yuan is to spend yuan. Life is not about rushing, but about experiencing the scenery along the way.
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I suddenly decided to document my solo slow travel through Kunming, Lijiang, and Dali. Although it wasn't my first solo trip, it was my first time in Yunnan. So I thought I'd sum it up as a pseudo-experience post.
Kunming's peak tourist seasons are during the Spring Festival, Labor Day, National Day, summer vacation, and the Water Splashing Festival in Xishuangbanna. So if time allows, boldly take leave and travel outside the peak season! I chose late August. Without the sultry heat of Changsha near 40°C, I found the air refreshingly crisp and light as soon as I landed, and by evening it felt as cool as autumn.
The advantage of off-peak travel is that business class flights to Kunming are cheaper than high-speed trains. A first-class ticket with insurance cost over 500 RMB. The weather was exceptionally good, with clear skies and brisk winds. I booked a room at the Lavande Hotel on West Renmin Road in Xishan District, less than 100 meters from the subway entrance. The stay felt cozy and clean. It was close to both Kunming Station and Kunming West Station, both accessible by subway.
(Day 1) After arriving in Kunming, I immediately visited Nanping Pedestrian Street and Nanqiang Snack Street in the evening. They are located in a bustling area of Kunming. I ate snacks and looked at the sculptures along the street. Since I was there, I had to try freshly made flower cakes. I'm not sure if it was because of where I bought them, but the fruits I bought were very fresh. However, after walking around, I felt that the food in Kunming was not spicy and tasted a bit bland. (Personal taste)
(Day 2) The rain in Kunming comes without warning, so it's wise to carry an umbrella. In the early morning, the flower beds by the roadside were blooming with gorgeous flowers, one of the charms of this Spring City. I took a bus straight to Dianchi Lake. The plants were lush, and I could snap photos without filters and share them on social media to make friends envious. If you have enough time, I highly recommend taking a boat ride. For just a few dozen yuan, you can cruise Dianchi Lake in the misty rain, which is a real relaxation for both mind and body.
Food around Dianchi Lake is relatively expensive. Apart from trying crossing-the-bridge noodles, you can go to Kunming's Heilinpu - Old Reading Shop Sour Bamboo Shoot Chicken. I had researched this before the trip and made it a point to try a classic Kunming-style hotpot. The sour bamboo shoots bring a tangy and slightly sweet aftertaste. Good wine needs no bush; the place was packed with customers.
(Day 3) Since I planned to return from Kunming, my itinerary was Kunming - Lijiang - Dali - Kunming. Honestly, you can just follow the direction Kunming - Dali - Lijiang for the high-speed train because you can see Erhai Lake along the way!
Lijiang is a relatively small city. On the platform, there is a viewing platform for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. If the weather is good, you can start taking photos as soon as you get off the train. After exiting the station, you can quickly catch a ride. I think an efficient way to travel is to book a homestay near the Wanzigiao area of Lijiang Ancient Town. The homestay service can contact you via WeChat in advance and provide pick-up and drop-off outside the scenic area. From Wangu Tower, you can get a panoramic view of the ancient town.
Make sure to check the visiting hours for Mu Palace and allow 1-2 hours.
As for romantic encounters, there are many bars in the ancient town, but the crowd is mixed. Safety comes first.
After playing at night, go to a high place and look into the distance. The quiet Lijiang Ancient Town offers a sense of freedom and leisure.
(Day 4-5) In Dali, you must stay by Erhai Lake. Don't worry about traffic noise; just bring earplugs. The morning scenery is truly beautiful. I personally think hotels in the linear area between Dali Station and Dali Huangcaoba Airport offer good experiences at reasonable prices.
This solo trip taught me a painful lesson, so I want to warn everyone: when climbing Cangshan Mountain, be well-prepared. Cangshan is very high, and the summit is very cold. So be sure to rent a cold-weather jacket at the foot of the mountain in advance. I recommend that girls buy oxygen bottles in advance because you may start experiencing altitude sickness on the way up. As someone who started feeling sick at 3,900 meters, I strongly suggest going with a companion and moving slowly. Suffering from altitude sickness alone is quite tormenting.
Whether the Ximatan Cableway is fully open depends on the weather that day. You can find the official Weibo account of Ximatan. If it's rainy, it may not be fully open, and the top of the mountain will be foggy, affecting visibility. In the end, you mainly see vegetation. Overall, aside from the fact that my swollen face from altitude sickness looked terrible in selfies, it left me with an amazing life experience.
(Day 6) Dali - Kunming. Book your return flight one or two weeks in advance for a low fare that includes checked baggage. From the train station or high-speed rail station, take the airport bus to the airport. For less than 500 RMB, you can fly back to Changsha.
Well, I still have 5 minutes before work ends, so I'll stop here.
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May you and I both be able to wander in this world with the lightest luggage and the fullest selves.
