As the world spins faster and faster—or maybe it just seems that way when an email can travel around the world in fractions of a second— there seemed to be this need to find a way or a variety of them to cope with the growing pressures.
In November, we gave big cities a skip and ventured to the road less travelled. For those who have never been to Yunnan before, it can be quite confusing trying to find where to visit for Yunnan – there are so many tourist attractions! Here we recommend a few interesting places in Western Yunnan.
Western Yunnan
A gorgeous city that dates from the old Song dynasty, Western Yunnan is a place filled with absolute purity, lush beauty and scenic landscapes. Stroll into the quaint city of romance in ShuHe Town, squint your eyes a bit for the perfect mood shot and viola, you are “in” one of those old Chinese Kungfu movies. Hop onto a bicycle or scooter to discover Dali through the open roads and the serene lakes, and it is easy to imagine that you are “Xiao Yan Zi” in the famous China soap opera drama series, “My Fair Princess (1998)”. Strike a pose with your partner at the banks of Yangtze River at Shangri-La to capture one of the rural scenes in “In Expectation (1995)”, Best Feature Film in Torino Film Festival.
It is undeniably a filmic experience.
Fall in love with Lijiang
Situated in the Yunnan Province, Lijiang is blessed with fresh air and stunning sceneries – almost an undisturbed landscape. Inhabited mainly by the very friendly Naxi minority, Lijiang is laced with this beautiful laid back charm that is so enchanting that for a moment, I wanted to bubble wrap this place and hide it in a closet bag…as big as Narnia for the unborn children of the world.
The primitive simplicity of the people residing in Lijiang is the most eminent in the charming and quaint ShuHe Old Town, an important constituent part of Lijiang Ancient City and a world cultural heritage site in China. Situated at the foot of a mountain, explore the unique Naxi customs by foot along the winding lanes in this peaceful village as ethnic tunes fill the air.
Take a cable car to Yulong Jade Snow Dragon Mountain for an out-of-the-world experience. Consisting of 13 peaks with the highest attitude of 5,600 meters, the snow capped mountain stretches a whopping length of 35 kilometres; it is definitely a memorable visual sight to witness.
Visit the famous Black Dragon Pool located at the scenic Jade Spring Park, home to dongba culture for more breathtaking natural beauty.
For the slightly adventurous, head over to the Lashi Lake and enjoy the panoramic surrounding views via a kayak on the quiet waters.
If you have more time, spend at least half a day at the Tea Horse Trail to explore the mountain trails and fruit orchards on a horse.
Do savour the local delicacy – Snow Mountain Fish – available only in Lijiang, while you are there!
Get cultural in Shangri-La
It isn’t termed as Eden in Dream, Shangri-La for any reason. In Tibetan, Shangri-La means ‘sun and moon in heart’, an ideal place in heaven. A dynamic region of beauty and variety, the Tibetans live next to Lisu, Naxi, and Yi minorities and terrains differ from valley to valley. Do stop to speak to the friendly Tibetans about their interesting ethnic culture and lifestyles.
The Tibetan culture is immensely fascinating – even the number of flags on each house tells one a story about the household residing in it!
Explore the number one gorge of the Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge which is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a maximum depth of 3,900m spanning over 20 kilometres, this spectacular gorge is flanked by steep cliffs and is a national AAAA attraction. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk quite a distance to fully experience the terrains and watch the rushing waters flow ferociously. The experience is worth every step. Make a wish at the gorge if it fancies you.
Do take a stab at spinning world’s largest gold prayer wheel at the Turtle Mountain Temple. You will need the help of others though – it weighs a ton!
Soak in the natural beauty in Dali
The most popular region out of the three amongst tourists, Dali is the 3rd largest and most prosperous city in Yunnan. There are so many temples, cafes and shops filled with historical and cultural heritage and natural scenery as backdrops.
The Dali Old Town is a must see destination in this region. Rich in old world charm and noted as one of the most historical cities in China, you will find Bai minorities reining there amongst other smaller ethnic groups. According to the locals, females in the Bai minority have higher statuses than men in this region and call the shots in the households! From handicrafts, apparels to local delicacies, nearly all the local specialities can be found there.
For scenic landscapes, explore the surroundings of the expansive Erhai lake via a scooter or bike. A popular destination for wedding photography, you will find several couples in different ethnic bridal costumes. Otherwise, kick back, listen to the faint cries of seagulls and admire the breathtaking speckled lake views over a glass of wine manufactured in China.
A relaxing breakaway from the hustle bustle of the city life in Singapore, Western Yunnan is a great place to travel if you’re into trekking, visiting old towns, cultures and amazing scenery.
Tigerair provides direct flights from Singapore to Lijiang weekly and is the only airline operating these flights. For more information, check out www.tigerair.com. Tigerair Boarding Pass holders receive 10% discount from Lost Vacations, a customised tour agency based in Lijiang.
About the Writer
Gene Kwek is a lifestyle marketer, travel flirt and nemo-loving addict who is constantly trying to knock down her bucket list of unicorn pursuits. Nomadic instincts strike a tad too frequently. Sometimes, she cannot decide if she wants to be on land or in the sea. #firstworldproblems
