Hello Hello!
Welcome back to my blog!
I just checked back my last traveling post, it was posted in early May this year about my trip in Hong Kong.
I didn't blog about travel like I used to as you all know that we can't travel to anywhere due to the current pandemic around the world.
It's quite upset that I can't travel now since travel has always been part of my life, and I always enjoy sharing my travel stories with you all.
Last weekend, I took sometimes to look back the travel pictures I stored inside my hard disc, just found out that I have left over the Yunnan China trip which I still haven't post it here.
So yeap, today I'm going to start blogging about the places I visited during my Yunnan trip.
I received a lot of compliments and messages about the pictures I shared on my social media, (you can checked it out on my IG @ mizhippo, I've already added the stories to appear on my profile as highlights), many of you were very shocked about the beautiful places are actually from China. :)
It's not easy to describe or put them into words how beautiful the places are, and maybe that's the reason I've been dragging this post for long time. #hehe
Anyway, I visited Yunnan in December 2019, where you can see from my pictures that I had my short haircut with bangs during that time.
Time flies, can't believe it's almost a year since that unforgettable trip.
I will be starting the first post at Lijiang 丽江, with the main attraction Jade Dragon Snow Mountain at the region.
So, lay back and enjoy reading the upcoming sharing. :)
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 玉龍雪山
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain / Yulong Snow Mountain 玉龍雪山 is located in the northwest of Lijiang, Yunnan province of China.
The snow mountain stretches 35 kilometers (21.8 miles) from north to south with its highest peak named Shanzidou 扇子陡, reaching an altitude of 5,596 meters (18,360 feet) above sea level.
The mountain is famous for its variant and beautiful natural scenes, and is considered a sacred mountain among the local Naxi ethnic people.
As if you know that, visiting the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a must on your itinerary if you travel to Lijiang; indeed, all tourists who make their way to Lijiang are mostly for visiting the mountain for this purpose.
This is the view before we climbing up to the mountain, and it's already looking so beautiful for me.
We traveled to Yunnan with the tour agency, Confidence Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd 信溢旅游有限公司, so everything were very well prepared and arranged by both local tour guide as well as tour leader, including the transports, itineraries, meals and accommodations.
Without going through a long queue, we hooked up to the Glacier Park Cableway where it took us up to experience the glacier and its surroundings.
Once we get off the cable car, there were still be stairs to climb to reach a higher peak at an altitude of 4,680 meters.
The total journey along with the cable car was about 30 minutes.
I almost couldn't believe my eyes on this amazing view at the top.
It's seriously too beautiful!
美得像一幅画!
The weather was getting colder when we get to the top right there.
My phone temperature showed -6℃, but I felt it was much colder than that, close to freezing, maybe because I didn't cover myself with enough layers. :)
Some people may affected by the altitude, just like my sister.
She experienced diarrhea, headache and vomiting half way climbing up to the mountain.
My friend who has been to the mountain before advised me to get an acetazolamide to prevent and reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness, and I think that pill helps as I don't feel so much dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath when I climbed to the mountain.
But anyway, I personally think that oxygen canisters is a must if you plan to go to the mountain, otherwise you might be ended up exhausted in case you are not used to the altitude.
Oh ya, and not to forget to bring some chocolate bars with you too as chocolate will help to curb altitude mountain sickness too.
Still can't believe it can be so beautiful!
看见那么美的景色, 感觉自己拥有了全世界似的 :)
As me and my nieces wanted to experience the freezing weather and also to see the snow on peak, so we went on the December trip.
I think November would be a great period to visit as it is not crowded and you can also enjoy the snow on peak.
It's a nice place to spend your day here to enjoy the views of ancient Chinese architecture, no matter day or night.
The white scenery with white clouds, white mountain, and surrounding white landscape will surely take your breath away.
I really wish to stay longer and climb a little bit further, but it was really too cold and the wind was too strong, so after about an hour spending outside (at least we've climbed up to 4,500 meters), we then ended our snow mountain journey.
Being a famous snow mountain in China, the sacred and magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang is really worth a visit if it's your first time.
It was very amazing for me, I adore its unstoppable beauty, and if I got to travel to Lijiang again, I really don't mind to visit this snow mountain once again in my life time.
人生就那么一次, 很值得去的的一个地方.
An altitude of 4,506 meters (14,783 feet), AWESOME!
White Water River 白水河 & Blue Moon Valley 蓝月谷
After an enjoyable trip up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, we ride on the shuttle car to visit the White Water River 白水河 and Blue Moon Valley 蓝月谷.
Blue Moon Valley is an extremely blue river meandering through a lush valley of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
The reason that the place named as Blue Moon Valley is because from far away, the river resembles a blue crescent moon inlaid at the foot of the mountain.
But, the river is not only in blue colour, if it rains, the white mud and limestone rubble at the riverbed will be swirled up, making the water as white as milk, and therefore, local Naxi people named it as White Water River (Baishui River).
The water flows down to the unique man-made crescent shaped terraces, and the scenery is so beautiful with a nice backdrop of the snow mountains behind.
Along the same stretch of walk way, you will lead to the Blue Moon Lake.
There is a legend about the Blue Moon Lake...
When two Naxi youngsters fall in love, the boy will be tested by standing barefoot in the cold river in winter to show his committed love for the girl.
Folks believe that this tested love will last forever in the presence of the holy snow mountain.
So, the river is considered the Love River in local people's mind.
The water at the Blue Moon Lake is very blue and clear.
Be at peace, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and remember it all in...
Everything gets a little bit warmer when the sun starts to rise.
It's perfect because the park is very nice to walk around, and many photo spots that can take pictures.
Beautiful waterfalls....
There are four lakes divided by small waterfalls or giant rocks along the river which form a natural mirror reflecting the grand snow mountain, surrounding cliffs, and lush plants, namely Jade-Like Lake (Yuye Lake), Mirror Pond (Jingtan Lake), Blue Moon Lake (Lanyue Lake), and Wave-Listening Lake (Tingtao Lake).
The waterfalls are not very huge, but definitely picturesque.
I'm pretty sure they will take your breath away. :)
We spent about 1 hour to walk around the Blue Moon Lake and White Water River and I think the 1 hour journey is totally worth it.
It was a pleasant trip, with good weather and clear skies, best views of the snow mountains, great lakes of the region, interesting park...PERFECT!
Before headed to lunch, we watched the Lijiang Impression Show 印象丽江, the highest real landscape performance, reaching an altitude about 3,100 meters above the sea level, with the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as the background.
It is a cultural show demonstrating the traditions and lifestyles of Naxi, Yi and Bai minorities in Lijiang.
The show is directed by Zhang Yimou 张艺谋, with more than 500 amateur performers of 10 minorities from 16 villages and over 100 horses.
If you like to watch the native actions like the dance with the heaven and earth, singing voices like the voice of nature, then you probably will like the show.
Unfortunately, it's not really interesting for me as I fall asleep half way the show. :)
Jade Water Village 玉水寨风景区
The Jade Water Village 玉水寨风景区 is a small village in Lijiang City.
It is located where a water spring exists at the base of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
This spring is sacred to the local Naxi people, and also the place where a famous American explorer, author and botanist, Joseph Rock, lived for many years.
Today, the village is home to a large village including temples, traditional homes of the Naxi people, a theatre, and exhibits presenting the Naxi peoples Donba culture.
The village is a great place to just relax with not many people around.
There is a big golden statue of a snake and some prayer sites near to the water source.
One of the highlights of this village is the salmon from the pond, the locals claim that this is the only place to have them.
Our tour guide asked us to prepare a water bottle before our visit, so that we can fill our water bottle with magical drinking water at the village.
It said that the magical drinking water will bring you good luck. :)
It's a peaceful village, with beautiful landscaping with stream, waterfall, trees without leaves with beautiful blue skies, what else could you ask for?
Lijiang Square Street 丽江古城
Caught some beautiful views up while walking to the Lijiang Square Street. :)
In the evening, we went to the Lijiang Square Street 丽江古城.
Lijiang Square Street is the heart of the town which once served as the most important hub on the Ancient Tea Horse Road.
Since the Ming Dynasty, merchants from the four corners of China and beyond have stayed here, bringing with them their own unique cultures.
The street has been the center of cultural an economic exchanges in Lijiang for several hundred years.
Most of the dwellings are structures made of brick and wood with carved doors and painted windows.
In order to conserve the structures and maintain the integrity of the buildings, no motorized transport is allowed inside the city and the only wheeled vehicles permitted within the old town are bicycles and carts.
The streets are filled with plenty of shops catering to the visitors, like restaurants, cafes, bars, souvenir shops, local characteristics and many more.
Everyone comes here with a different mood to enjoy the wonderful day and night.
The most popular items to bring back home from Lijiang is the rose pastries 玫瑰花饼.
The rose biscuits are the local delicacy in Lijiang, where they sell it freshly baked out from the oven, and also the pre-packed that display on the shelf.
Good to try the freshly made one while you are over there, and bring back some of the ready-made one as your souvenirs to your friends and families.
Other interesting souvenirs are the local wines.
They are pretty much affordable that comes with different types of flavours and delicacy packaging.
It's a great night spending at the Lijiang Square Street.
If I have the chance to visit Lijiang again, I would love to stay at the hotel nearby so that I can have more time to walk around and blend with the local culture.
I believe it should be great to experience more.
That's all about my journey in Lijiang.
I've been to few places in China, like Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Fujian and many more, and I think Lijiang is one of China's most fascinating cities to visit.
It has a spectacular land of blue sky, white clouds, stunning scenery, a fascinating culture of ethnic minority groups to explore.
I hope you guys enjoy reading the post, and you will enjoy the beautiful Lijiang like I do.
I will come back with my second post in Shangri-La, another worth while trip in Yunnan.
So stay tuned guys! :)
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