Yunnan 10-day self-driving travel diary - Part 1

Accidents and surprises always happen unexpectedly, and one person's plan turns into a journey for four people

I did a lot of planning before setting off. I imagined that I would have a suitcase and a backpack and occasionally sign up for a one-day tour group. According to my own compact plan, I would visit the classic places in Yunnan that everyone recommended, but little did I know that it turned into a happy 9-day self-driving tour in Yunnan. . What’s even more surprising is that the planned trip to Yunnan for one person ended up being a happy trip for four people due to fate. The 9-day journey was refreshing and leisurely.

The sun was shining slightly and the breeze was blowing. Wearing a red off-shoulder skirt and holding a knitted sun hat, I slowly walked along the Erhai Lake step by step. I felt the sunlight shining on the Erhai Sea forming a bright horizontal line. It was so blue that I couldn't tell the difference between the sea and the sea. Where is the dividing line between the sky and the sky? The quiet Goddess Mountain is sleeping quietly as the sun sets slowly turns red, yellow and black. Shangri-La, where yaks are leisurely walking on the green grass, is immersed not only in faith but also in the soul. Purify.

Of course, Yunnan-style bars are a must-visit every night. Compared to the liveliness of Dali, the local enthusiasm of Lugu Lake, and the romance of Lijiang, the coziness, journey, and comfort of Shangri-La Bar made me feel comfortable and quiet, and I blended in. It’s the taste of travel.

✈️ Direct flight from Hangzhou to Kunming at 8 a.m. on June 6. (It just so happens that my aunt is visiting. I always admire the magic of my aunt. She is the best roundworm in my life. She can always accurately predict every trip I make, no matter whether it is advanced or postponed by N days. On the day of my departure, I got on the plane, drank painkillers, put on a warm baby, asked for a blanket, and slept for 3 hours. When I opened my eyes, I had already arrived in Kunming. The epidemic situation was not very good at that time, and I felt as if the flight attendant was in a state of depression. There was a hint of doubt. When I bought the Sichuan Airlines ticket, I originally imagined that I would feel the refreshing feeling of Lao Gan Ma cooking. I don’t know whether it was because I slept too hard or because I didn’t have Lao Gan Ma’s blessing, but I didn’t feel it.

The two-hour flight arrived in Kunming, and I bought a high-speed rail ticket from Kunming to Lijiang without stopping. Kunming's high-speed rail station is very small and a bit old. The skin of the local people other than tourists I met in Kunming was relatively dark, probably due to the effect of strong ultraviolet rays. The high-speed train soon arrived in Dali and boarded the intercity train to Dali Ancient City. The first stop of the trip to Dali Ancient City begins

I have to say that when the intercity bus was approaching the ancient city, I was amazed by the beautiful scenery of Cangshan Mountain and the mountains and the sky outside the window. !

Cangshan Mountain is dark blue, especially mellow. I got off the bus at the Dali Ancient Street bus station. I was really shocked when I got off the bus. I felt like I was in the countryside. The vicissitudes of life on the roadside made me lose a lot of enthusiasm. My sister and I packed our suitcases and walked towards the ancient street. Because it is the off-season due to the epidemic, I did not book a hotel in advance. On the path towards the ancient city, there will be a rental aunt enthusiastically introducing the housing. However, no matter how enthusiastic the aunt is, I still move forward firmly. I suggest everyone to take a walk inside the ancient city. lively. Going deeper into the ancient street, enthusiasm began to be re-established little by little.

We chose to stay in a homestay in the center of the old street. After packing our luggage, we went to eat at the Bai people's restaurant recommended by Lu Lili. "Awang Private Kitchen ". I still miss Wang's sweet-scented osmanthus wine, it's really amazing! If I didn't have several days of travel to go, I would definitely pack it up and take it home. June is the best time to open a pot of sweet-scented osmanthus wine, and Wang's special twice-cooked pork, the meat is good and the soup is delicious.

It was in this restaurant that I met two friends who were traveling together because we were sharing a table.

After eating, we started walking around the ancient streets. There were not as many bars as we imagined, but there were a dazzling array of gadgets and accessories on the ancient streets. There is "Duan Gongzi" and a brewery. If you have five buckets of wine to wake up, why not have a drink? The floating light is drunk, the green bamboos are carefree, the garden is full of fragrant peaches, and the fairy is drunk... The name is best for people who are not intoxicated by wine. The boss opened the lid of the wine jar, and a burst of fragrance hit his nostrils. The jar was as long as my legs and as thick as my waist. When I opened it, it contained clear and mellow wine. I couldn't help but taste some of various kinds. Everything was delicious and mellow.

There are many girls who braid their hair on the old street. Girls who want to braid their dreadlocks or pigtails must choose to braid their hair here. The prices and techniques at Lijiang Shangri-La are the best compared to here. I vaguely remember that it costs 10 yuan for 20 braids. , my sister and I both had little braids that we liked.

After strolling around the ancient streets leisurely, I chose the most lively "Jim's Restaurant Bar". How can you come to Dali and not experience the atmosphere of the bar? The cocktails tasted pretty good. Most of the resident singers sang their own original songs. They couldn't stand the cheers of the audience and also sang familiar pop songs. Let everyone feel the atmosphere

Because I was a little tired from traveling all day, I decided to go back to the hotel to rest. But on the way back to the hotel, I really felt my ideal "Dali".

On the dim street, there are four or five small lamps on the blue and white stone pavement. Young literary and artistic people in twos and threes are leaning on the street corner, playing guitar, reading books, kicking shuttlecocks, drinking wine, humming songs, and hugging dogs. My sister and I went there and bought a glass of plum wine for 5 yuan. My sister put on a tattoo she liked and started chatting with her. The little girl in the picture is a sophomore girl who came to Lijiang to find a boyfriend during the school holiday due to the epidemic; they basically have jobs during the day and enjoy their inner arts at night. The hearts of literary and artistic boys and girls are peaceful and yearning.

After finishing the chat, on the way back to the hotel, we came across a barbecue stall unique to Dali. A big pot and an iron net support the business. The aroma is charming but the smoke is everywhere.

Dali Old Street BBQ

bingo~ The first day is over, go to bed early and prepare for the next day’s trip

I got up very early the next day and went to eat authentic Yunnan rice noodles on the streets of Lao Cai with my sister. Focus on it! Please remember not to order the set meal. The set meal is basically for tourists. It is expensive and has no special features. I accidentally discovered the mixed rice noodles ordered by a local. It costs 10 yuan a bowl and is super authentic.

After breakfast, we drove to Xizhou Town. Erhai Lake is the place I want to visit.

My impression of Xizhou Town - Bai architecture, tie-dyeing, running cars, quietness

Xizhou Ancient Town is an ancient town with a majority of Bai ethnic groups and is famous for its tie-dye craftsmanship. I walked around and saw a lot of handicrafts. I bought a little robot necklace that I really like. It’s handmade and I love it so much.

We walked all the way to the most famous dyeing workshop in Xizhou Town, and Jin Chen and Chen Yiming from Daughters in Love also went! I didn’t tie-dye myself because I was in a hurry, so I will definitely do it myself next time.

At noon, we had lunch at "Yangpin Xiangzhai". The environment and dishes were good, highly recommended.

The scene looking down from the second floor of the dyeing house, where Cangshan Mountain and white clouds meet in the distance. No filter blessing

There is a cable car for tourists to take. I walked around for about 40 minutes and finally saw Erhai Lake! Ahhhh, it blinded my eyes. Erhai Lake is definitely a place I want to visit. I want to experience its spring, summer, autumn and winter.

The water and sky meet, the sun is shining brightly; the sea is blue, and the white clouds are transparent and clean. Tourists are walking on the road, and the breeze blows on their faces, which is full of the smell of the air. My sister and I were lying on the deck chairs on the balcony, looking at the Erhai Lake in front of us, with sun hats covering our faces. All that was left was enjoyment, enjoying the sun and the sea, enjoying the comfort and quietness, and enjoying the gifts given by nature.

We had dinner by the small bridge over Erhai Lake. The environment was not bad. I forgot the specific name, but the food was still good (see the picture below).

After finishing our meal, we went straight to Yang Liping’s Sun Palace. Along the way, there are small Yunnan coffee shops and bars where fishing boats and people sing late. Tourists walk in groups of twos and threes on the road, enjoying the streets that are either quiet or noisy. We arrived after walking for about 20 minutes.

I can only use two words to describe the Sun Palace: majestic. Built on the sea, the seawater hits the huge rocks at night, and the sound of the impact is terrifying. But the Moon Palace seems to be isolated from the world, standing quietly on the sea, with bright or bright lights creating its own space world. While there is a lot of excitement outside and the curiosity of tourists, the house should be peaceful, with three or two friends having dinner together, accompanied by the swaying peacock dance; or family members cuddling up, enjoying the warmth. We stood on the stone at the foot of the mansion, listened to the sound of the sea water lapping on the stone, sighed, got up and went back.

On the way back, we found a bar closest to where we lived. I have a bad memory and forgot the name, so I wouldn’t recommend it anyway. The drinks in the bars on Erhai Lake are 3-4 times more expensive than those in Dali Old Street, but the atmosphere is not as good as other places. I don’t recommend it. If you want to get tipsy at night, some friends recommend buying wine and cheering on the hotel balcony.

As night falls, I lie on the bed and enjoy the tranquility and amazement brought to me by the Erhai Lake. I will work hard to update the Lijiang-Lugu Lake-Shangri-La chapter to encourage myself not to be lazy. Friends who are interested remember to follow the article and look forward to the next one. Spoiler photos first hehe