Lijiang 丽江, Leaping Tiger Gorge 虎跳峡, Shangrila 香格里拉, De Qin 德钦, Mei Li Snow Mountain 梅里雪山

Our trip begins!
We joined a 散团 consisting of people from all over, but we were so fortunate, that besides the 3 of us, only 2 other Dong Bei 东北 Girls were on the same trip. Therefore, it was small group and much easier to travel around. Our driver and guide were both Naxi Tribe people – Dong Ba People. Throughout the journey, they were all very friendly and helpful. A far cry from the tour guide we had during our Jiu Zhai Gou trip back in October. (Tha guy probably got sacked by now!) We got our driver’s name card. If you happen to be there, please call him. You can mention that we are the 3 Singaporeans who had food poisoning the entire journey with me being admitted to the hospital right at the end. I think they would remember us! (Driver: 和顺天, 纳西族, 司机兼导游. 135 7838 1634 or 135 7838 5957)

Song Zan Ling Si 松赞林寺

This temple was Tibetan, Yunnan’s biggest Tibetan temple. It was a mini replica of the Bu Da La Temple 布达拉宫 in Tibet. Touring the place was quite pleasant and we got as close to Tibet as we could for now. We were also fortunate to have had th chance to talk to a monk at the temple. He told us about their teaching, abit of the temple’s hierarchy, as well as abit of history of the temple.

And then we bumped into Chin Keong and Lee Tong on our way down. What a coincidence!!!

Other places we visited along the way was the Na Pa Sea 纳帕海 or Yi La Grassland 依拉草原. The sea is best viewed during the raining season of August to September and the grasslands best viewed during June and July. At the time we went during December, we saw nothing but a wasteland.

By the time we reached the Hotel, all 3 of us were in PAIN, tummy PAIN!

3 of us, totally exhausted from the late night “toilet” excursions!