LIJIANG 丽江古镇
The town has a history going back more than 1,000 years and was once a confluence for trade along the "Old Tea Horse Caravan Trail". UNESCO
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/811/
best things to do:
we had an early morning arrival, and persuaded the local next to us to share a car to our hostel where he also stayed, but on arrival went to sleep. it was a lot colder here, we were staying in dorms, I had a top bunk, there was a thick curtain to pul around each bed, done in a capsule style, with thick blankets to keep in the heat. the owner slept in a hut like building with a hot fire blazing in the middle were he was brewing tea, he offered us some porridge, it was cosy with thick blanket along the benches, homely in a way.
JADE DRAGON SNOW MOUNTAIN 玉龙雪山
8-5pm
5596m / 18,360ft
after a quick shower we headed into the main town to go to jade dragon mountain, getting a mini van up (I used my student card for discount but usually 140rmb) you can feel the temperature start to drop the higher you go, with a peak height of 5596m / 18,360ft. th entrance ticket covers the coach up to the half way point with the blue moon valley. it was a bit busy. we wondered round and spotted some llamas. there was a cable car that would take you higher up the peak,(100mb) for that people were renting down coats and oxygen. the peak were covered in snow most of the year, we went for a small stroll off the main path which was empty and peaceful looking out over the beautiful scenery.
https://www.chinahighlights.com/lijiang/attraction/jade-dragon-snow-mountain.htm
after we headed back down to check out the old town, winding around the small alleys, full of shops full of snacks, souvenirs, tea and restaurants. its a bit of a maze and we got a little lost at one point
SHANGRILA 香格里拉
we unfortunately couldn't get the first bus as it was all booked, instead getting one before, the journey takes around 4 hours with one pitstop a makeshift shop outlet with atrocious toilet (I went outside where no1 was looking, was better than the toilet)
the journey goes up into the high mountains revealing beautiful views. you pass tiger leaping gorge and have the option to get off at it.
we got the bus from the Lijiang bus station on changshui road , the bus runs from 7.30-5pm in 30minute slots for a price of 62-75RMB
we arrived and went for a walk going to a local restaurant we shared some local noodles and deserts form the region and Xinjiang. was cheap and tasty!
we then went to a mini hike. finding an abandoned temple. no one was around is was peaceful with a nice view. after this we headed down to the city, coming across the giant golden prayer wheel.It's reputed as the largest one in the world for its 21 meters in height and 60 tonnes in weight.Because of its size and weight, the prayer wheel is to be spun by multiple people.
3260M / 10,695ft above sea level
shangrila (xiangelila 香格里拉 ）sits on the edges of Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet
previously known as zhongdian 中甸
prayer wheels:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/prayer-wheel
the town itself wasn't that busy, we browsed around the small shops and even sotted a huge Tibetan mastiff chilling in the main square. beautiful blue skies and fresh air is was so beautiful and relaxing, only wish we could have stayed longer but unfortunately had to get the bus back to Lijiang. on the way I spotted a sleeper bus that goes direct to Kunming, but it's quite a long drive. was sad to leave, watching the sunset from the bus window. we arrived a few hours later and checked into a local hostel with a friendly owner, we were leaving for Dali early the next morning on the train.
DALI 大理
we got the slow train sleeper which was pretty cool as it was a double decked train. it takes about 2-2.5h and prices start from 34RMB. we checked in our luggage at the train station (around 10 per bag) and got a bus towards the famous 3 pagodas (chongsheng temple崇圣寺）open 7-7pm with a ticket price of 75rmb. it got sunny and warm! it's only a kilometre from the old town.
Bai minority style houses
cangshan mountain
like most of the region the air is clean and fresh. there's a bit of walking for the temple complex, you can pay for the siteseeing car if you want.
the complex it set against the mountains, on the western edge. you can get some snacks and drinks inside but they aren't so cheap. there was still a lot of visitors as it was the holiday, however if you strayed off the main path (like in shangrila) if was virtually empty (Chinese can be a bit sheep like, they usually go on guided tours and just want to take the "insta" pics, not all but many of them)
the pagodas were built around 1800 years ago, the middle is the highest at nearly 70m (
Qianxun Pagoda) The Three Pagodas are made of brick and covered with white mud, having 3 together is unique in china. the 2 other pagodas at the sides were built about 100 years after the first, they are smaller, around 43m, with 10 storeys. there's a beautiful lake behind which reflects the pagodas perfectly.
the front entrance
behind it up the steps it Chongsheng Temple and some courtyards, we took a break chilling briefly in the shade as it was quite hot by the afternoon and very sunny.
The Three Pagodas were initially built for auspicious reasons. According to local legends, Dali was once a swamp inhabited by breeding dragons before the humans arrived. As the dragons, which were believed to deliberately create natural disasters to dispel human intruders, revered pagodas, the Three Pagodas were built to deter the dragons.the pagodas face Erhai lake.
inside the pagodas are hundreds of buddhist statues in gold stone and wood
there's a beautiful fountain and pond full of fish in front of the temple, dragon themed.
free to do Dali:
after the pagodas we headed to the old town, not too far from the temple (the lake is closer to the new town)
DALI OLD TOWN
full of the traditional old style chinese buildings with lots of restaurants, bars, snack and tea shops and souvenir stores. its not super authentic but still not super commercial like some other ancient towns. its nice!
we got food and wandered around browsing when the weather took a turn! a downpour of rain. it didn't last too long and afterwards we spotted a double rainbow. it was amazing!!
Erhai Lake 洱海 （ear sea) 1972M above sea level, approx 40 x 9 km
lots of little islands to explore with boating, hiking and cycling opportunities, along with villages.
BAI style housing
you can get some BBQ in small roadside stalls, there's a nice tea house too, and little boots dotted along, it was quiet and the rain eased up
we grabbed a tuktuk and headed to the bus stopped, it was packed and we were tight for time, but we grabbed our bags, check in and got on okay and made our way back to Kunming
Bai minority style houses 
cangshan mountain 
The Three Pagodas were initially built for auspicious reasons. According to local legends, Dali was once a swamp inhabited by breeding dragons before the humans arrived. As the dragons, which were believed to deliberately create natural disasters to dispel human intruders, revered pagodas, the Three Pagodas were built to deter the dragons.
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