It is said the most beautiful mountains of China can be found in Yunnan province. Having great interest in nature and all what is related I decided to join a organized mountain tour, accompanied by my Chinese friend and his mother. The actual tour was spread over a length of 4 days and 3 nights.
The bus driver may be a skilled driver but for the first kilometres in the mountains I felt quite uncomfortable. Driving over narrow tortuous roads sometimes partly blocked by (already) fallen rocks made me shiver.
In total I was accompanied by 14 Chinese people (including Chau and his mother). Basically like any other organized tour the bus stops at special designated places (sights), giving you just enough time to look around and take some photos. The first two days the weather was great unfortunately the other two were less…
In the morning of the third day we were confronted with thick fog (clouds) and heavy rain leaving us no other choice to go back. It was a pity to return but it gave us more time explorer the old town of Shangri-La and some other interesting places
This dangerous trip was surely worth the money, although I am not a fan of organized tours I would surely recommend this tour (expect for elderly people). You will find some amazing pictures in the photo gallery.
Bye, Frank
Posted by Frank on Wednesday 27 August 2008 - 19:52:37
At my first day in Kunming I met some people from Hong Kong. They suggested me to try the traditional Kunming rise noodle soup (Guoqiao Mixian). Ordering noodle soup by making hand gesture is not easy. At popular (good) restaurants all tables are often occupied, no problem in China you just join-in. There may be some resemblance between America and China, in America they eat plate size hamburgers, here in China they serve noodle soup in 3L bowls!
Trying to sleep with 2 snoring people is like trying to sleep next to a airplane engine. although a dorm room is cheap sometimes it is worth spending extra money for a private room. On the second day of my stay in Kunming I met my Chinese friend (Chau) and his mother (Cao Hui Zhen). We visited the UNESCO listed Stone Forest (Shilin). The forest, known since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) as the 'First Wonder of the World.' Walk through the Stone Forest and you will see intricate rock formations and steep landscapes forming a big labyrinthine. Here you can really see the art of nature.
Early morning (20 August) we took the bus from Kunming to Dali, here we stay one day before we go to Lijiang. Before we take the bus to Lijiang we are going to climb the “Cang mountain”. By clear weather we will be able to see the “Er Hai Lake” and surrounding mountains.
Chau and Frank
Posted by Frank on Wednesday 20 August 2008 - 18:19:00
cecilia 01 Sep : 10:12
I am the one of 14 Chinese people with you to Meili Mountain tour. Although the tour was a little bit upset because of sad weather, I still was very happy. It's so good to know a lot of people on the way, and so nice to know the western part of China. Leaving my homecountry for a long time, it's so fun to discover the places that I never touch in my life. We are not lucky enough to unveil the beauty of Meili mountain, next time, might be!
Michel 09 Aug : 13:12
Mark, heb je nu nog steeds geen nieuwe zonnebril gekocht?
Maarten 07 Aug : 00:04
Hey jongens, waar blijven de foto's en filmpjes?
Hugo 29 Jul : 20:07
Moest wel even lachen toen ik dit zat te lezen
Anonymous 21 Jul : 01:42
Die muziek tijdens die taxirit (Video Gallery) roept herinneringen op;)...
Zijn jullie trouwens nog ziek geworden van verkeerd eten of ziek geworden van het natte weer? Nogmaals, geef eens een belletje als dat lukt met de PC!
