Three Miles of Spring Breeze, Three Miles of Road—Spring in Every Step at Fenglong Bay
In March, Kunming is brimming with the breath of spring, but the bustling city is not enough for me to truly feel the spring breeze, so I decided to head to that fairy-tale world from my dreams.
Fenglong Bay Town — not far from Kunming, very close to a fairy tale. Arriving at Fenglong Bay for the first time was a delightful surprise that lifted me out of the mundane. I thought there would still be a long way to go after leaving the main road, but with a single right turn, I suddenly stepped into a fairy-tale world.
Fenglong Bay Town, by the sound of its name, should be a very Chinese place — 'Feng' (phoenix) and 'Long' (dragon) are both traditional Chinese elements. But to my great surprise, Fenglong Bay Town turned out to be a unique place with Mediterranean and Nordic vibes. It’s hard to imagine that near a county like Xundian, there could be such a distinctive scenic area.
Actually, before coming here, I had seen some information about Fenglong Bay and always thought it might be just another Instagram-hyped destination. But now, standing by the castle in Fenglong Bay Town, in front of the cave hotel, in the little shops of the Whimsical House Village... I truly felt that Fenglong Bay Town is a scenic area with its own culture and depth.
The strongest and most profound feeling I got from Fenglong Bay Town is how nature, architecture, and people achieve a perfectly balanced state. Sitting on a pleasure boat, I could see trees on both banks, squirrels on the shore, egrets on the shoals, and water buffalo in the water. This kind of natural harmony is something I haven’t felt for a very long time. As the wind blows against your face and the boat sails along the winding river, the green hills on both banks seem to embrace you. You just feel that your heart, like the landscape, becomes calm and at peace.
When it comes to history, the little train is definitely the highlight. The old railway lined with cherry blossoms and the well-preserved old tunnels take you on a journey along the mountains and by the water. Walking on the ancient meter-gauge track, I can't help but think of how people often compare railway tracks to time. This time, I truly brushed shoulders with time.
When you return to Fenglong Bay, you must take a photo in Whimsical House Village, then go to the Peacock House, order a cup of coffee, find a book you like, and watch the magpies on the branches outside the window as you slowly savor the moment.
If you like handicrafts, I think you can visit the Swan Handicraft Market. Here you'll find tie-dye, handmade lipstick, cyanotype, plant dyeing, handmade leather goods, aromatherapy, handmade jewelry, and so on. The best part is, if you think your handiwork skills are up to it, you can fully experience making something yourself — a unique gift to give to an important person or to yourself. It’s truly wonderful.
