China's Fairyland

"Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles." – This famous Chinese saying inspired me (and my friends) to embark on our first trip of 2025 to Kunming and Jiaozi Snow Mountain. Kunming – The City of Eternal Spring "Traveling ten thousand miles" to Kunming means covering over 500 kilometers via a modern, smooth, and highly convenient subway system. What impressed me most was how China prioritizes sustainable development of public transportation and electric vehicles, saving time while protecting the environment. When in Kunming, one cannot miss Dianchi Lake with its special "guests." Every winter, seagulls migrate from Siberia (Russia) to escape the cold, turning Dianchi Lake into a vibrant painting with the sight of birds mingling with the clear blue waters. To capture a beautiful photo or video with the seagulls, you need patience and a sense of peace, feeling the connection between nature and humanity. Another must-visit is the ancient Baohua Temple, with its serene and traditional architecture. Walking through the Library Pavilion and listening to the wind chimes allows you to slow down and savor the moment. Guandu Ancient Town – My favorite spot, as it exudes tranquility. Small houses adorned with various colorful flowers, especially a vibrant orange trumpet vine trellis, reminded me of my grandparents' home, where a similar trellis would bloom every Lunar New Year. Jiaozi Snow Mountain – Stepping onto a 4000m Summit The journey to conquer Jiaozi Snow Mountain was not just a snowy mountain hike but also an inspiring challenge to push personal limits. To overcome the thin air and cold winds, I decided to move quickly to conserve energy, and perhaps I was the first among our group of 40 to "reach the summit" at 4000 meters. Thirty minutes of intense climbing followed by thirty minutes of chilling at the peak. In life, sometimes we need to move swiftly and give our all to achieve our goals, but we also need to savor the results and find joy in our efforts. Fireworks and games brought me joy, connection with others, and some interesting experiences. Kunming bid us farewell with a light snowfall – a parting gift that left no regrets about this trip. The opening quote has another part: "Reading ten thousand books, traveling ten thousand miles, with a heart free of worldly dust." Reading and traveling help us break free from the confines of our minds. Therefore, we must engage in exchanges, learn from one another, and recognize our own limitations to continuously improve.