Accompanying 'Reunion' — A Record of Our Family's Second Long Journey (Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La)

The Chinese understanding of 'reunion' is not only based on reflections on family and love, but also on hopes and aspirations for future life!

Therefore, let me use 'Accompanying Reunion' as the theme of my first travel diary!

Some say: If you love someone, take them to Dali, where there are pure winds, flowers, snow, and moonlight!

Some say: If you are unhappy, go to Dali, where it can evoke the purest simplicity and beauty in people!

This is my second trip to Dali!

The first was in March 2019, when my wife and I drove from Yibin, traveling day and night to reach the poetry and distant places in our hearts.

Earlier this year, I originally planned a 'reunion' trip for the whole family, following our 2016 family trip to Sanya!

Unfortunately, in February, when everything was ready, the sudden outbreak of the pandemic disrupted the entire plan!

Nothing we could do—cancel what needed to be canceled, refund what needed to be refunded, and just stay at home obediently! Every night, I would comfort my son by following the planned itinerary: 'Now we should be in Xizhou, eating Xizhou bing, tasting rose-flavored ice cream...' to lull him to sleep! (Heavens, only an unreliable dad like me could come up with this method)

Thinking back now, I must have been poisoned by Dali, and there's no cure... (In the future, Dali will be the place where I set my heart and soul!)

But on second thought, although that trip didn't happen, I stayed with my parents and child, the whole family together (because of work, I hadn't had New Year's Eve dinner at home for several years, including this year. On the morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year, my parents drove five hours to the city where I live), and stayed home without going out (except for going to the streets with my wife to donate masks). So I felt at ease being a good citizen and not causing trouble for the country!

2020 was destined to be extraordinary!

In March, my father was diagnosed with cancer, and the doctor said the prognosis was not optimistic. At that moment, I clearly realized how important it is to 'live in the moment'!

So, while paying attention to the pandemic, I saved up my vacation days and made a silent decision: I must take them to Dali!

On July 11, forgetting the fatigue of last night's night shift and the exhaustion from hosting a wedding at noon, at 14:07, with the original intention of crossing mountains and seas, we set off...

Passenger verification, let's go...

The handsome driver is none other than me... (from the perspective of the silly co-pilot)

Little Potato said: 'Daddy, wearing sunglasses is cool enough!'

Hmph, what a show-off...

In July, the temperature in Yibin could no longer be described by 'heat wave.' Being in it felt no different from steaming a bun! Seeing Kunming and Dali's 17-18°C weather, listening to the homestay owner proudly say they had no air conditioning and needed to sleep under a quilt at night, I couldn't help but wonder—really? Why wasn't it like this when I came in March 2019? Had I been to a fake Dali?!

When we arrived at Yuele Service Area, the wind picked up and it felt chilly! Oh my god, are you sure this is summer?! It's like playing a joke!

I quickly urged the family to get off and put on more clothes!

Little Potato kept saying: 'Daddy, I'm hungry, I want noodles!' Okay, arranged! (A bowl bigger than a face—unsurprisingly, we didn't finish it)

The weather was really changeable. Just now it was dark clouds and strong winds, threatening a downpour, but after passing through the tunnel, look at that...

Perhaps from the past few days of air conditioning and fans, the heat cold I had along the way gave me such a sour thrill that I felt my nose wasn't even mine!

Arriving in Kunming at 22:30, too tired to eat or take photos! Showered and went to sleep. See you tomorrow...

Woke up early the next day, and my cold was much better. Got up and saw the Four Elders...

Packed up and went out. Since we were staying by Dianchi Lake, it would be a shame not to visit. Okay, let's go...

The Spring City truly lives up to its name.

In the dog days of summer, anywhere else, you can't avoid a refreshing sweat.

Remembering the scorching heat of Sanya in May 2016.

Oh my, Kunming, with its moderate breeze carrying a faint fragrance of flowers and grass, hitting you in the face. Take a deep breath, and there's an unprecedented comfort from the scalp to the toes!

A travel photo by Little Potato (Kid, uh... my belly)

A handcraft by my capable wife 'Silly'

This is my father-in-law and mother-in-law (my father-in-law served as a volunteer soldier for five years when young, and also held leadership positions. He has unmatched endurance and practical skills! After retirement, whenever any relative or friend's home needs repairs or help, he's always reliable! He's also great at sewing and cooking, managing the household very well. He is one of the most respected elders in my life!

My mother-in-law was an accountant and was well-regarded at her work unit and in the community! Her way of dealing with people and handling situations has always been a role model I look up to! After retirement, she has been helping us take care of Little Potato. Grateful!)

This is my dad and mom (Since my dad got sick, it's rare to see them so relaxed! He started working at 13, pulling carts to support his aunt and uncle. He was a long-haul truck driver who traveled all over, a tough man! But my mom suffered a lot. After his surgery, my wife and I returned to work. During my dad's chemotherapy, my mom handled everything at home! Pray that this storm passes quickly, and everything is fine!!!)

Little Potato: 'Come on, buddy, let's go home!'

My dad: 'I want to see Dianchi Lake too, to prove I've been here...'

4 and a half hours later, what came into view was the picturesque scenery...

That's it... (A scene that feels like something out of a Miyazaki anime...)

That's it—(Dali Qingsha Folk House * Xige)!

Falling in love with Xizhou often needs only one reason: 'Slow!' Like an old person sitting under the eaves mending clothes in the afternoon sun, time flows quietly but meaningfully. I crave the tiny raindrops dripping from the tile eaves, and I'm passionate about the warmth of sunlight streaming through the window onto the wooden floor in the morning!

Heart as still as water, striving for nothing!!! (At this moment, this is the real me, and also the life I long for!)

Being here, almost greedily breathing the air, all words of praise seem ethereal.

That burning heart is awakened again!!! How I wish time would slow down, a little more...

Oh, and there's their — Tien Coffee, freshly ground hand-brewed coffee with various flavors. It depends on personal taste. I thought it was okay (maybe because I'm not used to it). It's just at the alley entrance of the accommodation, a few dozen meters away, very convenient. The owner is a young guy from Anhui, very warm.

Little Potato: 'Daddy, I want some too!'

Kids can't drink coffee! Forget it, it's a rare occasion. Okay, arranged!

Food is the first necessity of the people. Being a 'foodie' is the best interpretation of loving life, so we went out to forage for food...

Enjoyed the most simple yet abundant dinner! The feeling of being full is so reassuring!

Especially with family, no need to worry about what to say, no worry about getting drunk, no flattery, no deception...

Home is originally a circle—a complete circle of eating together, a complete circle of eating in peace, talking and laughing, letting go of distractions. At this moment, no matter the world, the heart is calm!

Returning home with the night, home is where the family is!

Facts prove the choice was right (Actually, every time we travel, the accommodation my silly wife books never fails to surprise us. The title of capable wife is truly earned). The lantern we brought was great, lighting it up as we stepped into the house, the whole warm world was within reach! Closing the courtyard door, the family gathering began... (I won't go into details here)

By the way, Xizhou was really quiet. It cured my insomnia of nearly half a year. I woke up at 9 am. (Countless people took photos every day. The two moms went to the old post office phone booth early in the morning)

The light rain was just right, the breeze not dry. Okay, today we'll circle the lake...

The distant Cangshan Mountain seemed covered with a soft wool blanket, looking incredibly warm! (View from Shuanglang lakeside)

How could we miss a family tourist photo?! Arranged!

Little Potato: 'Hmm, this composition is okay~~'

Last year at the couple tree, this year at Erhai Lake:

Hmm, looks like both of us gained some weight this year~~

It feels like a college graduation vibe!

Yeah, a bit like that~~~

Except we have an extra freeloader~

The beauty of Dali cannot be explained in a few words! Besides wind, flowers, snow, and moonlight, the changeable weather also brings more possibilities for beauty...

Light rain, sunshine, stretching all the way

Hungry, let's go eat. What to eat? Mushroom hotpot~ (At the edge of the ancient city, Huotang Impression. We ate there last year; it's pretty good, the owner is nice, and there's a courtyard inside. This year, it was under renovation with a strong smell, so we moved outside. The taste was still good. This season is when fresh mushrooms are on the market, so the texture is great, but the price isn't so beautiful. The whole family of 7 spent over 1K, but it was worth it)

Of course, we had to pair it with this:

Dali is truly a place that broadens the mind and opens the eyes! Besides the scenery, there's also luck!

Last year, I had the good fortune to meet the shop owner Dengzhou (a super stylish female designer who runs a woodworking studio, now with two branches, one of which is in Xizhou. From material selection to design to finished product, she strives for perfection. That was also the biggest gain on Taobao last year. This is what it looked like last year. This year, due to schedule, we didn't get to visit. Let's leave some regrets for next time)

This is the tree I bought last year (because it was too tall to fit in the car, it was cleverly designed into two halves)

Character cameo: (The left one is the owner Dengzhou. If you need Taobao info, leave a message and I'll give you the contact and address)

And this year in Dali, at the restaurant (Caidimidu Farm Restaurant), we unexpectedly met my silly wife's favorite star and took a photo together. She was so excited!

Then the following conversation happened:

Me: 'Ms. Xuan, my wife really likes you. Could we take a photo with you?'

Star: 'Come on, quickly, I have to catch a flight!'

(To protect the portrait rights of others, I'll skip the photo. Actually, it's Teacher Wei Zhe)

But Caidimidu is worth mentioning

Little Potato: 'I want to eat all of it!'

Mother-in-law, this is quite good, buy some

Yeah, it's good, buy some to try

Don't you want to eat it~~

Look at the color, full of organic~~

The asparagus was very refreshing. As soon as it entered the mouth, you could feel the natural fragrance spreading from the tip of the tongue to the root, enveloping the entire taste buds with satisfaction!

Tomato beef, super tasty with rice. I devoured 4 full bowls of rice

Five-colored rice is a local specialty, with a light fragrance and a bit of a hard texture

I hadn't tried this fruit tomato before; the color and size looked pretty good

Vegetable colors are quite tempting...

Now, key points to test:

Braised pork belly, the color was good. The moment I ate it, I felt my meridians were opened, a full satisfaction spreading from the toes to the head, completely awakened. It felt like the moment in 'The God of Cookery' when they eat the heartbreakingly delicious rice. Especially with the addition of a green fruit similar to olives, with a texture somewhat like bayberry, sweet and sour, perfectly balancing the greasiness of the meat. Just right—one more part would be too sour, one less would be greasy...

After eating, we could have some fun, right!

Okay, okay, go, enjoy yourself~~

On the streets of Dali, you can see interesting places everywhere. My surname is Wu, so: (Remember to visit when you have time. It's located at Erhai Gate. Mention my name and you'll get a huge discount, haha)

I thought it was a friend's place. Elder sister's surname is Li, brother-in-law's surname is Ding:

It gives a Hong Kong-style tea restaurant vibe:

Does it remind you of childhood, playing hide and seek at the alley entrance, and mom shouting loudly: 'Qiang'er, wash your hands and come eat!'...

If the beauty of Dali is a kind of refined tranquility, then Lijiang belongs to a lively atmosphere full of worldly vitality!

Personally, I prefer the freedom of Dali and dislike Lijiang's commercialized model. But there was no way around it; the family was enthusiastic.

Okay, a one-day trip to Lijiang, arranged:

(Left at 10 am, entered the Dali Expressway from Shangguan, arrived in Lijiang in about two and a half hours, returned to Dali at 11 pm. I thought this was the limit, but I didn't expect something more thrilling. Let me catch my breath and tell the story slowly)

Arrived in Lijiang at noon. Parked the car, entered through the main gate of the scenic area, turned right and walked about 20 meters to a restaurant—'Dianxi Prince Restaurant.' The taste was good, the price was reasonable, and the decor had ethnic flavor.

This cumin ribs tasted good, with a pleasant spicy flavor. For Sichuanese, this spiciness is not enough, but the ribs were soft and tender, and the salad nicely balanced the greasiness. A great combination.

Rose brown sugar glutinous rice balls were a good choice whether as a dessert or a staple. Doesn't happiness mean sweetness? The fragrance of roses and the sweetness of brown sugar enveloped the taste buds instantly, quickly awakening the memory of that happy 'sweetness' from childhood. Exquisite! Next to it was beef, I forgot the name; the beef was very tender, smooth in the mouth, definitely a rice eater's delight!

This is the specialty copper pot fish, said to be made with black fish raised in high mountain snow water. The fish was very tender, mildly spicy, with a rich and full broth. According to the owner, the soup base has the effect of removing dampness and nourishing the lungs. After drinking, you can refill indefinitely. Imagine winter, with snowflakes falling outside, sitting inside, eating a piece of fish, then holding a bowl to drink soup. Wow~ (Imagine it yourself) Anyway, I drank four bowls.

After eating, let's go explore~ (Remember four years ago when we took a family photo, I thought Little Potato's martial arts outfit was super cute, so I suggested buying him ethnic clothing this time. Unexpectedly, he chose it himself, and then wore it all day, striking a professional martial arts pose everywhere. I was speechless~)

A victorious gathering of the Four Elders

On one side grandmother, on the other side maternal grandmother, okay!

You used to be only over 50 centimeters tall, carried downstairs by grandpa to be lulled to sleep and then carried back up to the 6th floor. Now you're almost as tall as grandpa!

Little Potato, when you grow up, take good care of them~

Daddy, I'm thirsty, I want milk tea...

Hmm, which cup should I drink? They all look so good

Haha, you little glutton. When you grow up, I'll show you what you looked like now.

De ji kuo ma ya mi, bu si si mo duo na wa

Na ji na lu ya mi, ga ge duo fen ya mi~~~

Family photo perspective:

Both moms were overjoyed~~

Of course they're happy, they bought satisfactory clothes~~

From mom's perspective:

Time flies. The day trip to Lijiang ended.

It seems not far from Shangri-La, right? Over 200 kilometers, about 4 hours' drive.

We satisfied both moms' wish to come to Lijiang, so we had to balance things out for both dads. They wanted to go to Shangri-La. Arranged!

This is one of my favorite photos, taken by my silly wife~~

Son, look, that's the kingdom your dad conquered for you

Oh, not bad~~

What do you do on the grassland?!

Of course, ride horses and shoot arrows~

Let's also experience the rough life of nomads~

What surprised me was Little Potato.

The timid boy completely let loose.

He rode alone the whole way without a groom.

Grassland mascot, so cute~

Suddenly, I realized that grasslands and oceans are similar in many ways.

They allow you to immerse yourself and think calmly.

You can feel your own insignificance.

You can let down your guard and forget all worries.

You can return to the original beauty of life.

I want a life full of vitality:

Even if fate chokes the throat, withstand the pressure and burn wildly~~~

The lake road around Napahai lacked the nourishment of water and felt a bit off.

But it doesn't matter. The most important thing in life is to be happy!

People often have deep feelings about pain and joy.

For example, at the end of a trip, there are regrets, reluctance, expectations, and hopes.

On the way back, let's explore Kunming's city streets, visit the flower market, and taste a bowl of rice noodles.

This hand-painted coffee was excellent. Even though I don't usually drink this stuff, I instantly became a fan.

Rich and full in the mouth, not at all like the powdered kind from street stalls. Not expensive, 12 RMB per bag.

This thing, which is like a mix of turtle jelly and ice jelly, was really sweet, just like the taste of childhood.

I don't know if this is authentic, but it really tastes good:

If interested, come and try it (Niangzi Qingguo Mi Xian).

After eating and drinking, let's visit the flower market. When I walked in, I was really shocked. Such a huge venue, no wonder it's the largest flower trading market in Asia.

We only visited one of the venues:

OMG, buy it:

Some say tourism and travel are the same thing, but travel is just a more pretentious term.

In my view, tourism is about rushing to attractions, shopping, and spending five minutes taking photos while sitting in a car for hours. Is that interesting?!

But travel is a synonym for freedom—go wherever you want, for no reason, with no restrictions. Roam freely in your own world, let your mind run wild. Isn't life itself a one-way trip? And the meaning of travel lies in understanding, discovering, and loving the true self!

I think this is the real reason many people fall in love with travel! It's also my original intention for bringing the whole family along—'Reunion'!

My writing skills are limited, and I didn't bring a camera, so most photos are original. But the emotions are real, and the people are real!

I will continue to share my thoughts and experiences along the way. Life may be tough, but let's face it with a smile!

I'm host Wu Zhiqiang. See you next time!

Finally, share a few truly masterful works. Let's quietly appreciate the beauty of Dali~~