Yunnan's Kunming, Dali & Li Jiang - Fascinating Scenery & Rich Heritage

Yunnan's capital city, Kunming certainly lived up to its reputation as the 'City of Forever Spring'. Upon arrival, we were quickly ushered by the local guide to the Western Hill just before dusk. For city folks like me, tracking up the hill was no easy task but the effort was worthwhile considering the captivating view from the hillside. In the evening, we even managed to catch up with the renowned 'Peacock Dance' performance which had been featured prominently in our daily, The Star not too long ago. On Day 2 at the Jiuxiang Scenic Resort, we were treated to the majestic view of its limestones cave system. I envied the locals for their easygoing lifestyle, free from materialistic desires and the abilities to live lives to the fullest. If you have not visited the Stone Forest, then you have not been to Kunming. Day 3 at the Stone Forest Park, a landmark synonym with Kunming was such a spectacular, having survived numerous earthquakes. The rest of the day was spent visiting the Golden Temple and a stroll in the city centre. On Day 4 before we departed for Chuxiong, we dropped by at the Yuantong Temple and later at the Chooi Lake where you practically able to feed seagulls numbered in thousands right on your palm. Dali was our next destination on Day 5 but not before visiting a museum which displayed dinasaur skeletons found somewhere in Chuxiong. At Dali, we visited the 3-Pagodas Park and the Ancient City of Dali, which were part of the settings for a Chines serial 'Tien Long Pak Puk'. Along the journey to Li Jiang on Day 6, we paid a visit to the Dali's Bai Village where we watched performances on the local Bai's customary practices. The view of Yunshan Plateau in Li Jiang was so mesmerising overlooking the Yulong Snow Mountain in the background. Day 7 was remembered by my accompanying daughter as her first encounter with snow, I meant the natural one. For a close-up view of the Yulong Snow Mountain which was at least 5,000 meters above sea level, we took cable car and further trekked for several miles by foot in thin air. The experience was magnificent despite the tiredness. We took chocolates to supplement the energy on the advice of the guide instead of hiring a gas tank to counter the effect of low oxygen level. Before returning back to Kunming by an internal flight in the evening, we visited the nostalgic Li Jiang Ancient City and for last minutes shopping as well. A memorable and enjoyable trip indeed but too bad, it still had to come to an end on the final Day 8. Yunnan will stay forever in my mind for its breathtaking view as well as the hospitalities of the locals.