Traveling with Zouzheqiao: One Person in Yunnan, Two People in Dali
Zouzheqiao Travel 6 days 5 nights
DAY1 (arrive in Kunming) — fly to Kunming (3 hours) — find the "Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon" tour group at the airport (30 minutes) — wait for everyone to gather (20 minutes), then depart for Mohuashangkai Hotel. It was pouring rain at takeoff, and a song came to mind, 'Rainy day, in front of the window, I see, before my eyes.' As the plane rose, pink mist spread around, the sky was a dark pink-black, only a glimmer of light from the wing flickering. Turbulence, dizziness, panic, and tinnitus came again. Drowsily, I saw red, white, and gray flashing in sequence outside the window, as if inside a huge projection room, with a gloomy atmosphere. When it calmed down again, I happened to hear the plane broadcast — 'Wish you a pleasant journey~ Wish you have a good night~' Yunnan's fireworks clustered like strongholds, gathered in small groups. Passing a small town, then wiped out by dark clouds, like a scene from a dream. Greeted by African daisies, the Spring City journey began.
DAY2 (Kunming & Naigu Stone Forest & Dianchi Dam & Chuxiong)
Depart at 8 am — from Mohuashangkai Hotel to Naigu Stone Forest (1 hour 30 minutes) — visit the Stone Forest (2 hours) — from the Stone Forest to Yiwei Wujiong Restaurant (45 minutes) — from the restaurant to Dianchi Dam (1 hour 15 minutes) — take photos at the dam (1 hour) — from the dam to Chuwei Yixiang Restaurant (3 hours 20 minutes), taste Chuxiong mushroom hotpot — from the restaurant to Gray Times Hotel in Chuxiong (40 minutes).
First stop is the Stone Forest, home to the Yi people. Yi women are called Ashima, meaning as happy and beautiful as gold, while men have many names; only the hardworking, kind, and brave are called Ahei Ge. The entrance to Naigu Stone Forest is a vast field of rapeseed flowers, behind which are scattered pink crabapple trees, surrounded by layers of stone forest. Passing through 'The Sea Runs Dry and the Rocks Crumble' and 'The Door of Wishes,' we saw Little Flying Elephant and seagulls. This stone forest is so shaped it sparks the imagination. Passing a grove of flowering trees, pink petals flew like cherry blossoms falling in 'Five Centimeters per Second.' At Dianchi Dam, we traded bread for a seagull's glance. Tear off a small piece of bread, gently pinch the bottom, and the seagulls come. But these seagulls are clever; if you toss small pieces into the air, they often catch them. I saw a particularly sneaky seagull that directly snatched a half slice of bread and flew off... The guide asked if we were flying away with the seagulls... Truly, photos distract people, and the stragglers oddly felt a bond of mutual sympathy.
Dinner was Chuxiong mushroom hotpot. I tried fried insects, crispy and crunchy; hopefully, I won't need to use intestinal medicine.
At 7 pm, the sky outside was still blue with white clouds — truly 'Colorful Clouds South' (Yunnan).
DAY3 (Chuxiong & Erhai Lake & Bai Tie-dye & Dali Ancient Town)
Depart at 7:30 am — arrive at Meisi Le Restaurant in Dali (6 hours 20 minutes including traffic jam) — Jeep tour around Erhai Lake + photos + Bai tie-dye (3 hours) — arrive at Dali Ancient Town (30 minutes) — explore the ancient town (1 hour) — from Dali Ancient Town to Ruifuyuan Restaurant (20 minutes) — from the restaurant to GreenTree Inn (20 minutes).
Started early, car windows fogged. Stopped halfway to stretch; Yunnan has a patch of red soil, and by the roadside we identified curly dock. Jeep jeep~ Got on a very swaying jeep~ By Erhai Lake, we met seagulls again; their flight path was circular.
At the tie-dye place, I picked a cloth to dye. Saw a pattern of two small fish and thought of the movie 'Big Fish & Begonia' I watched recently, but unfortunately, that cloth was gone. I chose another, mistaking pear blossoms for snowflakes, and finally decided to bring the pear blossoms home. First tie, then dye. After dyeing, the cloth turned from green to blue and then deepened.
Arrived at Dali Ancient Town. Looked up and saw snow-capped mountains, a pleasant surprise. Walked a short way in the ancient town, which had a very commercial atmosphere. Tried roasted milk fan; it was quite milky, a bit sour, with rose sugar sprinkled on top — a very unique taste. My favorite was the Confucian Temple we encountered along the way. I counted seven mythical beasts on the eaves of the main hall. One beast gazed at the snow mountain, serene and profound.
DAY4 (Jade Shop & Blue Moon Valley & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Lijiang Ancient Town)
Depart at 6:50 am — arrive at the jade shop by Butterfly Spring (1 hour) — jade shopping (2 hours 30 minutes) — change guide — from the shop to Liyuan Hotel in Lijiang (2 hours 30 minutes) — from the hotel to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenic area (1 hour) — visit Blue Moon Valley and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (4 hours 40 minutes) — from the scenic area to Yingyixuan Restaurant (50 minutes) — from the restaurant to Lijiang Ancient Town (20 minutes) — explore Lijiang Ancient Town (arrange on your own).
The Bai people in Dali call women Jinhua. Only then did I realize that on a Yunnan tour, you switch guides!!! The Lijiang part was handed over to Big Brother, a Mosuo person. According to their custom, he asked us to call him Big Brother. Mosuo people clasp their hands together, tuck their thumbs into their palms, bow and say 'Tashi Deleg,' which has two meanings: good luck, or 'I offer you the best in my heart.' Mosuo people consider plumpness as beauty and darkness as nobility. Big Brother said he was a bit disappointed when he got on the bus because he didn't see any beauties. The Mosuo believe in Dongba religion, chiefly revering the mountain god of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. In Blue Moon Valley, there are their prayer bells. Shake the bell under a prayer plaque; when the bell falls, it means the plaque owner's wish will come true. Pick up the bell, take it home, hang it in the living room; every time it rings, it's a blessing for your whole family. I wrote my own prayer plaque, bowed devoutly four times toward Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The scenic area guide, Fat Jinge, said that after making a wish, you cannot eat frogs for seven days and avoid arguing with others because at this time the mountain god listens to people's wishes. Wishes made here do not require repayment, but he hopes everyone does more good deeds.
Taking the cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, tiny wooden cabins nestled in soft white, and the fir trees nearby also wore fluffy wool hats. Reaching 4506 meters altitude, a southerner seeing snow for the first time, I excitedly grabbed a handful of snow but couldn't compress it — it was as hard as frost, so cold it instantly froze my hands. In the distance, everything was thick white snow, vast and moving. I was lucky to see snowflakes falling in the sky, tiny and crystalline like fine salt. By the time we descended, it was minus five degrees Celsius. A crescent moon hung in the blue sky.
DAY5 (Lijiang Ancient Town & Shuhe Ancient Town & Shuanglang & Kunming)
Depart at 7:20 am — arrive at the Huanglong Jade Shop in Shuhe Ancient Town (2 hours) — Huanglong jade shopping (1 hour) — from the shop to Xianhai Shifu Restaurant (30 minutes) — change guide — take photos at Shuanglang (30 minutes) — from the restaurant to Xinhengyuan Hotel (6 hours 20 minutes), taste peacock feast — from Xinhengyuan to Mingchun Huayuan Hot Spring Hotel (2 hours).
On the road to the snow mountain, many flowering trees were planted. Early in the morning, we arrived at Shuhe Ancient Town, a place with a history of over 1200 years. In the dappled sunshine, horse-drawn carts waited by the roadside.
Passing through Shuanglang, I saw low houses scattered along the distant Erhai lakeside — time seemed serene and endless.
The new guide said that Yunnan has 26 ethnic groups. Xishuangbanna has the Dai people; April 14 or 15 is the Water Splashing Festival. Dai people wear ethnic costumes and gather in the square at 7–8 pm to release Kongming lanterns. The temperature is high that month, fruits are cheap, and flip-flops are essential. On the bus to Xishuangbanna, you pass through Mojiang County in Pu'er City, where the Tropic of Cancer runs through. The Hani people live there, and there are many twins. You can walk the Tropic of Cancer line, make wishes at the Twin Towers, and drink water from the twin well — one day is enough. Shangri-La is best visited in August or September when the vegetation is most lush; don't go later than October. There are Tibetans who believe in Tibetan Buddhism. If you want a spiritual cleansing, that's the place. The Stone Forest has the Yi people; their houses are distinctive, made of earth and felt. July in the lunar calendar is their Torch Festival, a festival suitable for singing, dancing, and matchmaking. Dali has many Bai people. They usually live on the first floor; the second floor and above are used for storage. The Bai people like things white — white clothing, silver adornments, and white food and lodging.
DAY6 (Kunming Dounan Flower Market & Airport)
Depart at 8 am — arrive at Dounan Flower Market (20 minutes) — wander (arrange on your own; browse jade, silver, flowers, local products) — head to the airport (1 hour).
My favorite among Huanglong jade is 'water grass flower'; its swaying branches have a sparse elegance. At Dounan, fresh flowers are sold by the kilo; the market is like a vegetable market, with carts and trucks bringing them in.
Looking forward to meeting Zouzheqiao Travel again.
