Shiping, Yunnan: A Heavenly Town, But Why Is Lunch So Hard to Find?

Guess where I went recently? Shiping, Yunnan! This place is as beautiful as a painting, but there's one thing that drove me crazy… Shiping isn't exactly big, but it's not small either, with a population of only two to three hundred thousand, much quieter than those popular tourist spots. It's not as famous as Dali or Lijiang, but it has its own unique charm. I spent three days there and felt it wasn't enough! There's one attraction after another: the quaint Zhengying Village, the vast Yilong Lake, the ancient city of Shiping with its rich history, the retro meter-gauge railway—each place has its own unique charm. Yilong Lake is a real treasure; such a large lake is truly unique in a small county town! The lush green grass by the lake is filled with flowers and plants, and many people relax there. It's truly enviable. The environment in Shiping is also amazing! At an altitude of 1,400-1,500 meters, it's neither too hot in the summer nor too cold in the winter, and the air is incredibly fresh, without any industrial pollution. Walking down the street, it's so quiet, unlike the constant hustle and bustle back home. The people of Shiping are also very refined, speaking softly, unlike the loud, flamboyantly dressed aunties in some places. This is probably related to Shiping's rich cultural heritage; after all, it's known as the "Hometown of Scholars" in Yunnan, having produced so many successful imperial examination candidates! But here's the problem: why is it so difficult to find a meal in this heavenly town? First of all, breakfast. Trying to find a place that sells soy milk, youtiao (fried dough sticks), baozi (steamed buns), eggs, or tofu pudding is harder than climbing a mountain! It's all rice noodles everywhere, which I really can't get used to! Even more frustrating is lunch! That day, we went to Yilong Lake and didn't come out to look for food until 1:30 pm. We searched up and down the streets and alleys for a long time, but couldn't find many restaurants! We finally found one, but the chef had already clocked off! We found another, but the door was locked tight, with a sign saying "Open from 11 am to 2 pm," but it was already 2 pm! Finally, we managed to find one that was open, but the waiter said the chef had gone home and told us to wait! We waited and waited, and finally ate lunch at 3:30 pm! I've been traveling for so long, and I've never encountered restaurants that close for lunch! It's so bizarre! Isn't it infuriating? This beautiful little town is let down by its lunchtime situation. Isn't it ironic?