Escape the City Bustle, Head West, and Uncover the Secrets of the Ancient Dian Kingdom

For the Dragon Boat Festival in 2019, I originally planned to go to Paris, but no one accompanied me, so I packed my bags and headed to Yunnan alone. Then, as soon as I arrived in Yunnan, I was called back to Hangzhou for an urgent work matter. For National Day in 2020, I still planned to go to Paris, but then the pandemic hit, so I invited my family, did thorough planning, and booked a light luxury group tour to the colorful clouds of Yunnan. I want to share such a great experience with everyone. Welcome to explore the secrets of the ancient Dian Kingdom together!

Our itinerary was to visit Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La. Since we booked a light luxury tour product from Diyi Guo Travel, we were picked up at the airport in Kunming and taken to the hotel. The hotel environment was quite nice! Yunnan has a high altitude, and the sunlight is very direct, so you must bring sunscreen and apply it to all exposed areas when going out to avoid sunburn. Also, the climate here is cool when there is no sun and very hot when there is sun, so it's best to bring both thin and thick clothes and a jacket. Below is our luggage checklist for reference.

Before the trip, seeing the weather forecast with rain all week was a bit discouraging, but when we arrived, we found that the weather was changeable—just after heavy rain, the sky would clear. So during most days of that week, we still had blue skies and white clouds, with bright sunshine. Moreover, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La are relatively dry, so clothes dry easily after washing. You don't need to bring too many clothes (I brought seven T-shirts but only wore three).

DAY 1: First, let's talk about the Spring City: Kunming is a national historical and cultural city. As early as 30,000 years ago, humans lived and multiplied around Dianchi Lake. In 278 BC, the Dian Kingdom was established, with its capital here. In 765 AD, the Nanzhao Kingdom built Tuodong City, marking the beginning of Kunming as a city. In the late Ming Dynasty, the Southern Ming Yongli regime established its capital in Kunming. Kunming has a subtropical low-latitude plateau mountain monsoon climate, with a mountain and plateau landform, surrounded by mountains on three sides and bordering Dianchi Lake to the south. The lakeside scenery is beautiful. Due to its low-latitude plateau location, it enjoys a "spring-like all year round" climate, earning the reputation of "Spring City."

Kunming Dianchi Lake Black-headed Gulls

On the first day, after arriving in Kunming, because the group members arrived at different times, we had a free day. Since we arrived early, we went to Dianchi Lake. Kunming truly lives up to its name as the Spring City. We arrived just in time to see the seagulls coming to warm up—it was worth the trip!

DAY 2: Next, let's talk about Stone Forest: Today is the second day. You might experience some altitude sickness upon arrival. Do not wash your hair or take a shower on the first day, as it can worsen altitude sickness. Usually, after a good sleep, you'll feel much better. Kunming Shilin Scenic Area, also known as Yunnan Stone Forest, is located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, 78 kilometers from Kunming. It covers an area of 350 square kilometers. The main tourist areas developed in Kunming Shilin Scenic Area are: Stone Forest Scenic Area, Heisongyan (Naigu Stone Forest) Scenic Area, Feilong Waterfall (Dadieshui) Scenic Area, and Changhu Scenic Area. Kunming Shilin Scenic Area has been rated as a "World Geopark" and "World Natural Heritage Site" by UNESCO. In 1982, it was approved by the State Council as one of the first batch of national key scenic spots. It is a 5A-level tourist attraction and a national civilized scenic spot. The stones are grotesque and varied, showing nature's extraordinary craftsmanship!

Nature's extraordinary work—time spent playing is short but joyful. Today ended perfectly. Time passes quickly; relax your mind, empty yourself, and take a break!

DAY 3: Let's go on a romantic encounter in Dali. [Dali Flower Sea Jeep] is something you can't miss in Dali.

Relax your mind, listen to birdsong and smell flowers.

Be your own internet celebrity.

Beautiful Dali is a world of flowers. Every season, different flowers bloom—red, yellow, purple. Under the sun, run through the sea of flowers, breathe deeply under the blue sky and white clouds, play with friends, take photos in the flower sea, and time slows down. [Sky Mirror] is known as a place you must visit in your life, and you can experience it at Huayu Pasture. Watch the clouds roll and unfold, take photos in the place closest to the sky. This [Internet Celebrity Travel Photo] will surely be an unforgettable memory of your life.

https://vacations.ctrip.com/travel/detail/p24090229/?city=1

Leave the most beautiful memories.

[Erhai Private Yacht] Board the pearl of Erhai Lake, visit the thousand-year-old Bai ethnic ancient fishing village [Luoquan Peninsula]. Every traveler to Dali cannot miss the beautiful scenery of Erhai Lake. Take a 360° island cruise, get up close with Erhai Lake, enjoy the Cangshan and Erhai scenery, and experience the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature that you can never feel in the hustle and bustle of city life!

Maybe love is waiting by Erhai Lake.

Complimentary viewing of "Lijiang Eternal Love"—using IMAX 3D visual effects, it interprets the praise of the Naxi creation, the romance of Lugu Lake's daughter country, the prosperity and harmony of the Mu Palace, the thrilling and shocking tales of the horse caravans, the life swan song of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain's third kingdom, and the feelings and vision of "one flower, one paradise"... It outlines a cultural legend full of spirit and flesh, blood and tears, life and death, love and emotion.

Praise of life. Today's itinerary: Dali Ancient City—Yacht—Sky Mirror—Jeep check-in at internet celebrity spots—Lijiang Eternal Love performance. The Sky Mirror is very beautiful, and the photos make you linger. The flower sea is also beautiful. Experiencing the internet celebrity Jeep check-in made me feel like a small internet celebrity myself. The love by Erhai Lake makes you linger, just like the lyrics of the song "Go to Dali": "Are you not satisfied with life? Haven't laughed for a long time and don't know why? Since you're unhappy and don't like it here, why not go west to Dali? The journey is a bit bumpy, the air is a bit thin, the scenery gets broader, and the heart gets lonelier. I don't know who is waiting where, I don't know what will happen later. Whose head has no dust? Whose shoulders have no marks? Maybe love is waiting by Erhai Lake, maybe the story is happening. Whose head has no dust? Whose shoulders have no marks? Pick up the courage crushed by time, let your feet be covered with fragrant mud."

DAY 4: I'm waiting for you in Lijiang. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: AAAAA-level scenic spot, known for its danger, strangeness, beauty, and elegance. It is majestic and delicate. On this plateau shining with Buddha's light, a few steps lead to heaven. Go close to Sanduo God and feel the charm of the sacred mountain in the hearts of the Naxi people. [Glacier Cableway] is the best perspective to see the snow mountain. Climbing up all the way, thousands of ravines are under your feet, thousands of beautiful scenes are in your eyes, an ice-bound world, heaven and earth boundless, only awe-inspiring. On the fourth day, no need to add fatigue; the only cableway that can reach an altitude of 4,506 meters lets you conquer the summit.

Mysterious country Lijiang.

Must-see in this life [Impression Lijiang]: A large-scale live performance directed by the famous director Zhang Yimou. In the highest-altitude plateau theater in the world, with the snow mountain as the backdrop and nature as the environment, it presents the cultural heritage of Lijiang. Thousands of actors perform without microphones, with neat and uniform movements, deeply shocking both visually and spiritually!

Lijiang Ancient City: [Lijiang Ancient City] is a AAAAA-level scenic spot, the best place for a free stroll, and a must-visit when traveling to Yunnan. Walk slowly through the alleys and old buildings, feel the passage and carving of time, stop to listen—the sound of drums, music, wind chimes, the laughter of girls and the giggles of old grandmothers intertwine. In the ancient city, time becomes gentler. The ancient city has many unique features; you can choose to visit freely, watch the dancing in Sifang Street, listen to the Naxi ancient music by Naxi elders, see the thousand-year-old Dongba paper, release river lanterns by the river... The ancient city has many delicious foods: iron plate insect feast, charcoal-grilled snow mountain clear water fish, stone slab flower, old mountain ham, and Naxi candied fruit are all good choices. You can choose freely, but be careful to eat appropriately.

After a day of playing, return to the ancient city, relax, find a small bar to unwind, wash away the fatigue of the day, and add a perfect touch to tomorrow's new journey!

DAY 5: Shuhe Ancient Town—Dali Ancient City. [Shuhe Ancient Town] Shuhe, in the Naxi language called "Shaowu," named after the mountain behind the village shaped like a piled peak. The name spread and changed to mean "village under the peak." It is one of the earliest settlements of the Naxi ancestors in the Lijiang Basin, a well-preserved important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, and a living specimen of the Naxi ancestors' transition from agricultural civilization to commercial civilization. It is also a model of town construction formed by opening up and caravan activities. Shuhe is an important part of the Lijiang Ancient City World Cultural Heritage and was selected as one of CCTV's "China Charming Towns" in 2005.

[Dali Ancient City] is a AAAAA-level scenic spot, the ancient capital of Nanzhao, and a standard must-visit scenic spot in Yunnan prepared for you. Dali Ancient City is located at the foot of the beautiful Cangshan Mountain. In the streets and alleys, "three families share one well, one household has several pots of flowers." Stroll through Wuhua Gate, walk along Fuxing Road, among green tiles and stone alleys, search for traces of history. Head to [Yangren Street (Foreigner Street)], where you can enjoy growing flowers and grass, pet cats and play with dogs, browse small shops, relax in bars, and fully experience the artistic and fashionable slow life. The ancient city is simple and quiet, with clear, babbling streams flowing through it. Besides exploring the ancient city, you can also taste Bai ethnic specialties. Delicious food and beautiful scenery bring you a different Dali experience. The teeth, peaks, sinkholes, caves, waterfalls, underground rivers, and other landscapes are scattered in an orderly manner.

A place where love begins.

Today, walking along the Ancient Tea Horse Road and through Yangren Street, I saw historical development and the hardships our predecessors endured to open this survival route. I fell in love with this city!

Time passes quickly, and it's time to return.

DAY 6: Take a bullet train from Dali back to Kunming, marking the end of this trip. I'm extremely reluctant to leave. I fell in love with this city. If I have the chance, I will come back to this beautiful city again. I want to fall in love with a person in a city!

No feast lasts forever. Colorful Yunnan, I will come back again. I have fallen in love with a city, and there are still many natural wonders I haven't seen, countless natural landscapes I haven't experienced. Going around, keeping my original intention, stopping and walking, there are always regrets. Even if there are many setbacks on the road of life, empty your mind and take a spontaneous trip. On the journey, you might meet a loved one, or find a place you want to stay at first sight. Colorful Yunnan, the ancient Dian Kingdom—a magical and mysterious place. Share my photo collection. See you next time, Yunnan!

The Colorful Yunnan I traveled through.