Yunnan Travelogue

While my IP address is still in Yunnan, I'm quickly posting this! This trip to Yunnan with my mom was absolutely fantastic! She had a blast, summed up in one sentence: great food, great activities, and great photos! 📸 📍Day 1: Landing in Lijiang → Tiger Leaping Gorge → Shangri-La Lunch was at "Wu Si Kai Xiao Yuan Private Kitchen" near the airport, a 5-minute drive. The local chicken soup was incredibly delicious! Headed straight to Shangri-La, stopping at Tiger Leaping Gorge along the way. You can choose to take the elevator (easy) or walk (going down the stairs is easy, going up is tiring; I, who don't exercise regularly, was completely out of breath). I bought some super cute little tiger fridge magnets at a cafe near the viewing platform! Dinner was at "A Ke Dun Ba Yak Hot Pot" near Dukezong Ancient Town. The owner was very funny and emphasized that everything was freshly made, not pre-prepared. · ⚠️ I experienced altitude sickness on the first night—headache and nausea. Ibuprofen and an oxygen tank saved my life! 📍Day 2: Songzanlin Monastery → Long drive to Meili Snow Mountain Songzanlin Monastery was magnificent, but incredibly crowded. We quickly snapped a few photos and left. Then began a 5-hour drive… But! The moment I opened the hotel room door, it was all worth it! Facing the snow-capped mountains, I could watch the sunrise from my bed. 📍Day 3: Sunrise over the Snow Mountain → Pudacuo National Park → Return to Lijiang I set my alarm for 7 am, and I saw the "Golden Sunrise over the Snow Mountain" from both my room and the hotel's viewing platform! So lucky! I quickly made a wish! 🙏 After watching, I rushed back like a "special forces soldier," briefly visiting Pudacuo National Park along the way. The scenery was beautiful, definitely worth setting aside a whole day for leisurely exploration. 📍Day 4: Stroll through Lijiang Old Town + Tibetan Clothing Experience Back in Lijiang, finally no more altitude sickness! I slept in and woke up refreshed! Staying near the South Gate of the ancient city, I immediately found a shop to take photos of my mom in Tibetan clothing. Two outfits plus makeup cost 198 yuan, and I added 100 yuan for a photographer to take some impromptu shots. The photos turned out great, so I ended up paying extra for retouching… women! 👗 The ancient city wasn't crowded during the day, making it easy to explore. I bought three gorgeous "little lion hats" at a handmade shop as gifts for a friend's baby; apparently, they're handmade and can't be found elsewhere! The guesthouse owner I bumped into turned out to be a fellow Changsha native. He recommended "Xiaodi Cured Pork Ribs," which were incredibly delicious—we couldn't finish them even at 50 yuan per person! In the evening, I watched a bonfire party, bought a bottle of handmade perfume, and stayed at a hotel near Baisha Ancient Town with a fantastic view. 📍Day 5: A day of leisurely strolling around Baisha Ancient Town Awakened by the "Golden Mountain Sunrise" view from my room! Baisha Ancient Town is very artsy, so my mom and I just wandered around. Many cafes required purchases for taking photos, which delighted this coffee lover! A particular "Yak Meat Skewers" place was especially delicious! I also found some postcards, cat figurines, and other souvenirs. I shopped from 10 am to 4 pm and still wasn't satisfied! Back at the hotel, there was afternoon tea – pure bliss! My mom and I are already planning our next trip!