Yunnan Highlands Local Culture 11-Day Tour (CIT004) Days 4-6

A trip to Kunming's flower market
(photo by John Meckley*)

Kunming is famous for its flowers
(photo by Dave Heisley*)

An orchid at the flower market
(photo by Steve Evans)

Grand View Park: sky,
water, and greenery
(photo by Aaron Yu*)

Grand View Tower affords a
lovely view of the park
(photo by Daniel Poon*)

A closeup of Grand View Tower
(photo by Daniel Poon*)

A romantic scene
(photo by CT Leow*)

Abundant flowers
(photo by Daisy Lin*)

Topiary statues
(photo by Daisy Lin*)

Lotuses cover the water
(photo by Eric Chan)

A closeup of a lotus blossom
(photo by Eric Chan)

A lovely place to take a walk...
(photo by CT Leow*)

...watch an artist...
(photo by Aaron Yu*)

...buy a painting...
(photo by Aaron Yu*)

...take a boat ride...
(photo by CT Leow*)

...or feed the gulls
(photo by Aaron Yu*)

The park also features statues
of famous historical figures
(photo by Daniel Poon*)

A view of picturesque
Lake Dian and
the Western Hills
(photo by Steve Evans)

Flocks of gulls on Lake Dian
(photo by the World Resources Institute)

Kunming's Golden Temple,
on Singing Phoenix Hill
(photo by "Gisling")

Lovely and tranquil
(photo by Rolf Mueller)

A statue of Chen Yuanyuan
in Golden Temple Park
(photo by "Gisling")

Dali: a modern city in an
expansive, high-altitude valley...
(photo by David Woo)

...with temples, mountains...
(photo by David Woo)

...farmers working in the fields...
(photo by Jo Schmaltz)

...a traditional "old town," and a lake
(photo by Utpala)

First stop: Dali's famous "Three
Pagodas" at Chongsheng Temple
(photo by David Woo)

Another view of the Three Pagodas
(photo by A Mao)

The left pagoda
(photo by David Woo)

The middle pagoda
(photo by David Woo)

The right pagoda
(photo by David Woo)

Time permitting, explore
Chongsheng Temple itself
(photo by David Woo)

Another view of Chongsheng Temple
(photo by A Mao)

Chongsheng Temple grounds
(photo by David Woo)

Afterward, stroll through
Dali's Old Town
(photo by CIT)

Gates marking Old Town's
"Foreigner Street"
(photo by CIT)

Old Town locals playing mahjong
(photo by CIT)

Streams line the
quaint streets
(photo by CIT)

A pavilion at Old Town
(photo by CIT)

Visit Old Town's Wuhua Tower for a
stunning view of the area
(photo by Tom Thai)

Another view of
Wuhua Tower
(photo by CIT)

Try one of the tasty local
snacks, like "fried milk"
(photo by CIT)

The activity doesn't stop
after nightfall
(photo by CIT's Tracy Liu*)

Keep on strolling and shopping...
(photo by CIT)

...or wet your whistle at one of
Foreigner Street's bars
(photo by CIT's Tracy Liu*)

There are lots of 'em
(photo by CIT's Tracy Liu*)

The mountain road from Kunming to Dali
(video by CIT)

Foreigner Street nightlife
(video by CIT)

A boat tour of Lake Er
(photo by Jo Schmaltz)

A pagoda on Lake Er
(photo by Tom Thai)

Rowboats on the shore of Lake Er
(photo by CIT's Tracy Liu*)

Fishermen on Lake Er use
trained cormorants
(photo by CIT's Tracy Liu*)

Sometimes the birds
fight over the fish
(photo by CIT's Tracy Liu*)

Closeup of a cormorant
(photo by CIT's Anna Qin*)

As in much of Yunnan, life on Lake
Er is still traditional and idyllic
(photo by CIT's Anna Qin*)

Watch a traditional Bai "Three
Courses of Tea" show
(photo by CIT)

Afterward, ascend the magnificent
Cang Mountain
(photo by A Mao)

At times, clouds spill over
the top of the mountain...
(photo by Jo Schmaltz)

...and shroud it in mist
(photo by Utpala)

The thrilling view from the chairlift
(photo by Tom Thai)

A view from the mountain
(photo by Jo Schmaltz)

Admire Lake Er in the distance
(photo by Jo Schmaltz)

Explore the mountain paths
(photo by Daniel)

Cang Mountain forests
(photo by Daniel)

A pristine mountain stream
(photo by Daniel)

Vivid mountain wildflowers
(photo by Jo Schmaltz)

Lake Er cormorant fishermen in action
(video by CIT)

"Three Courses of Tea" dance
(video by CIT)

Lijiang Valley, remote and stunningly beautiful...
(photo by Gilad Rom)

...despite the presence of a modern city
(photo by Filipe Fortes)

Flowers and mountains...
(photo by Jeremiah Dow)

...beauty everywhere
(photo by Marco)

Terrace farming in the mountains
(photo by Jeremi Joslin)

Descend into the valley...
(photo by Marco)

...and into Old Town...
(photo by Hsing Hao Wang)

...with its quaint buildings
(photo by "The Tenth Dragon")

Visit Wangu Pavilion
on Lion Hill...
(photo by Filipe Fortes)

...and the Mu Family Mansion
(photo by Zheng Mao)

An interior shot of the Mu Family Mansion
(photo by Hsing Hao Wang)

Beautifully painted ceilings
(photo by Hsing Hao Wang)

The courtyard of the Mu Family Mansion
(photo by Hsing Hao Wang)

Dayan, the most popular part
of Lijiang Old Town
(photo by CIT's Tracy Liu*)

Walk under the Lijiang moon and
think of your home far away...
(photo by CIT's Tracy Liu*)

...and admire the lovely
lights and landscaping
(photo by Filipe Fortes)

Leave a message behind
for others to read
(photo by CIT)

Stroll along Dayan's
lively streets
(photo by CIT)

Encounter local people
with their horses
(photo by CIT)

Admire Jade Dragon Snow
Mountain in the distance
(photo by CIT)

Listen to the tinkling music of
Lijiang's streams and canals...
(photo by Utpala)

...as you relax on a bench
or in a cafe
(photo by Tom Thai)

Shop for souvenirs
(photo by CIT)

An enormous variety
(photo by CIT)

Check out local fashions
(photo by Egor Grebnev)

Find hidden treasures like this
traditional paper manufacturer
(photo by Utpala)

Quaint architecture...
(photo by G. Guillaume)

...occasionally gruesome
(photo by Filipe Fortes)

Enjoy local or Western food at
one of many restaurants
(photo by CIT's Tracy Liu*)

Spicy dishes your stomach
won't soon forget
(photo by CIT)

Quirky decor makes
each restaurant unique
(photo by CIT)

Lively Lijiang nightlife:
live music and dancing
(photo by Utpala)

Waitresses sing for your business,
competing with other bars
(photo by Utpala)

Future gamblers: local children
playing a game
(photo by CIT)

The mountain road from Dali to Lijiang
(video by CIT)