Beautiful Southeastern Yunnan, Mysterious Oriental Charm

Southeastern Yunnan | A Dreamlike New Year's Trip with My Besties The meaning of travel, perhaps, quietly descends upon us the moment we decide to embark on a journey. We witness the vast world on the road, discover a new self during the trip, and turn the distant places we once yearned for into the paths we walk step by step. At the beginning of this new year, I am especially grateful to have a group of like-minded besties. Regardless of the changing seasons or the distance of the journey, we embark on this special New Year's trip together. And our destination this time is the enchanting southeastern Yunnan. For me, this is my fifth time embracing Yunnan with deep affection. Day 1: Arriving in Kunming, Encountering the Charm of Haigeng Dam and Delicious Food After an hour-long flight, we landed smoothly in Kunming. After settling into the hotel, we couldn't wait to set off for Haigeng Dam. It should have been a lively scene of watching seagulls, like "distant shadows of white sails disappearing into the horizon, flocks of gulls chasing waves and dancing with clouds." Unfortunately, we arrived a little late, and only saw a few seagulls interacting with people. Although we didn't witness the magnificent scene of seagulls flying in flocks, it didn't dampen our spirits at all. Since we didn't feast our eyes, let's feast our stomachs! We chose a restaurant called "Grandma's Flavors" at Haigeng Dam. The restaurant had a pleasant ambiance, and the dishes not only looked good but also tasted nice. We sat together, toasted, and enjoyed our first meal in Yunnan, kicking off this journey beautifully. Day 2: Exploring the Wumeng Earth Forest, Appreciating the Sculptures of Time and Enjoying Food on the Way Departing from Kunming, after a three-and-a-half-hour drive, we arrived at the Wumeng Earth Forest. Stepping into the scenic area felt like entering a fantasy realm. Earth pillars rose from the ground in various shapes, some like sharp swords pointing towards the sky, others resembling ancient castles. The marks of time were clearly visible, as if narrating the changes of the world. Sunlight poured down, and the interplay of light and shadow draped a golden veil over the earth forest. Strolling through it, the hustle and bustle of the world gradually faded away, leaving only a deep awe for the wonders of nature. Along the way, we also encountered a lot of delicious food, the unique flavors of which still linger in our memories, adding a special kind of joy to the day's itinerary. Day 3: Immersed in Dongchuan Red Land, Experiencing a Feast of Colors and Culinary Delights Leaving Wumeng, after a stretch of highway and winding mountain roads, we arrived at the paradise for photography and literature enthusiasts—Dongchuan Red Land. In the words of writers, it is "the setting sun covers a thousand colors, rich hues adorn ten thousand silks, flowers dot the emerald green with wind-blown brocade, and light mist hides emotions with hazy charm." The red land before our eyes was a tapestry of colorful patches intertwined. The red soil was a mark of time, and the unique landforms created this breathtaking painting. We couldn't help but marvel at the magical charm nature bestowed upon this land. This day, too, was filled with delicious food. With delicious dishes in our bellies and joyful hearts, we seemed to forget all the worries in the world. On this trip, besides eating local specialties, we were more keen on trying foods we had never seen or heard of before. Even if the taste wasn't always ideal, the focus was on trying new things. After all, beautiful scenery intoxicates people, and delicious food makes people happy. Appreciating beautiful scenery and savoring delicious food are both indispensable parts of travel. Day 4: Strolling Along Fuxian Lake, Encountering Colorful Romance and Delicious Moments Departing from the Red Land, after a long journey, we embarked on our Fuxian Lake trip. Strolling along the Time Plank Road, with a gentle breeze caressing our faces, the crystal-clear lake water shimmered under the sunlight. The Luchong Scenic Area, where mountains and waters meet, offered pleasant scenery. When we arrived at the Red Sand Beach, the unique pink sand sparkled under the sun, creating a dreamlike scene. Flocks of seagulls played by the lake, and we held up bread, hoping to interact with them. The seagulls were not shy at all, accurately catching the food we threw, forming a beautiful picture of harmony between humans and nature. Around Fuxian Lake, we also discovered many local specialties. Enjoying the beautiful scenery while savoring delicious food, this pleasant feeling made us linger. The blend of food and scenery created the unique charm of Fuxian Lake, allowing us to immerse ourselves and enjoy this wonderful time. Day 5: Starting from Moon Bay Wetland Park, Embarking on New Adventures In the morning, we set off from Moon Bay Wetland Park, where the sky was clear and blue, with white clouds dotting the horizon. The wind was a gentle poem, and the water was a vivid painting. Strolling along the lake, watching the shimmering water and listening to the chirping of birds, every step was a leisurely movement composed by nature. Then we went to the Fossil Museum and saw a large number of fossil remains, which brought us endless imagination and shock. Coming out of the museum, we arrived at the Jianshui Ant Workshop, where the dreamlike fairy tale world was a feast for the eyes. The red, yellow, and white buildings, with their unique and chic designs, made us feel like we were in another dimension. Next, we stepped into Zhu Family Garden. The deep courtyard, with its carved beams and painted rafters, showcased the exquisite elegance of southern Yunnan gardens. Every brick and tile was a poem, every plant and tree a painting. Here, we experienced the lifestyle of a wealthy family, with every detail highlighting the past glory and elegance. As night fell, we once again stepped into Jianshui Ancient City. The old streets and alleys wound under the dim lights, and the stone roads, polished smooth by time, glowed with a warm light. The warm yellow lights gently outlined the ancient and majestic silhouette of Chaoyang Tower. The exquisite patterns on the carved beams and painted rafters, awakened by the lights, told stories of past prosperity and glory. Watching people singing and dancing in the square, we couldn't help but join the ranks and dance along. Day 6: Exploring Hani and French Style, Tasting All Kinds of Flavors The first stop on today's itinerary was the sunrise at Duoyishu. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't cooperative, so we had to end it quickly. The second stop was Azheke, a simple Hani village, like an old man hidden in the depths of time, quietly telling stories of the past. The scattered mushroom houses, with their unique architectural style, showcased the wisdom and heritage of the Hani people. Although we couldn't see the full view of the rice terraces due to the weather, the misty ink painting presented before us had a unique hazy beauty. Leaving Azheke, we headed to Mengzi. Here, we tasted the French-style Mengzi Crossing-the-Bridge Noodles. The rich ingredients and delicious broth brought a mouthful of happiness. Its unique taste also made us full of praise. Then, we arrived at Bisezhai. This was the filming location of the movie "Youth." French-style buildings were scattered, and the yellow walls and red tiles told stories of past prosperity. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway once shuttled here, and now the tracks remain, with clear marks of time. Many people wore retro clothes and took a journey through time on the platform, experiencing the romance and vicissitudes of the past. Day 7: Stepping into a Wonderland of Fantasy and Art, Enjoying Culinary Delights After breakfast, we went to Puzhehei, the filming location of "Eternal Love." The breeze blew, and the flowers swayed, as if narrating the beautiful love story of Yehua and Bai Qian. Standing here, scenes from the drama came to mind, and our hearts were filled with this poetic scenery. Then we came to Mile Maitreya Oriental Charm. The unique red brick building complex was amazing. Without any steel or cement, it outlined a visual feast with dynamic curves. The distant mountains and scattered buildings complemented each other, as if we had strayed into a dreamlike wonderland of art. In the evening, we found a restaurant and had a hearty dinner. Day 8: At Dounan Flower Market, Bringing the Journey to a Perfect End Departing from Mile, we arrived at Dounan Flower Market. This was a sea of flowers, with all kinds of flowers competing for beauty, dazzling us. We admired the dazzling array of flowers while choosing our favorite bouquets. When we were tired of shopping, we tasted some local snacks around the flower market. The smooth pea jelly and the spicy and delicious bean curd rice noodles added a wonderful flavor to the last day of this journey. With the end of our visit to Dounan Flower Market, our southeastern Yunnan trip came to a close. This trip started and ended in Kunming. In just nine days, we covered over 1,600 kilometers, which flew by amidst the laughter and chatter of my besties. Thanks to my besties for their consistent understanding and support, and thanks to our driver, Mr. Zu, for escorting us with his superb driving skills. Every mountain and river is a kind of understanding, and every journey is a precious memory. I look forward to traveling with you again and embarking on new and exciting journeys.