25:37.05N 100:16.10E APRIL 14TH Dali’s Elevation 2087 Metres Set high in the mountainside of Yunnan, we first flew to Lijiang, and drove down to Dali next day, a long dusty ride due to the roadworks being carried out to build an expressway between these two important towns. A beautiful roadside hotel/restaurant gave us some respite, where we could choose amongst a whole variety of fresh vegetables, fresh water crayfish and plump chickens, which they served without bones! We checked into the delightful Landscape Hotel, before being taken up to the Cangshen Mountain by cable car, we were meant to walk 12 km to the chair lift, but had to just go half way and turn back as it was being serviced. The hat these Dali girls wear represents the clouds, the mountainside and the rivers flowing through the valley, the lifeblood of these Naxi people. The huge lake in the distance is hardly visible but is 80kms long! Dali is just spread out in front of it White Rhododendrons growing in the hillside, and sheer marbled rock face was a delight to view This Bai family out for their afternoon walk wanted to know how to gain access to the three pagodas, our guide was surprised they should ask, and told them just to go along and pay the entry fee, after all, they all speak the same language!
This stunning view of the Cang Shan’s peaks is from Dali, at the bottom of the cable car
Shopping in Dali in the evening just as the light was fading, plenty of souvenir shops, and a few Western style cafes. We ate in our hotel though, as it was easier to choose from the English written menu. At least 8 Huge round tables were full of Chinese tourists. No wonder we could only choose 2 dishes between the 3 of us, because each dish is meant to be shared amongst 10 people! The aubergine, marrow and mange tout were delicious, a bit tricky to pick up with chopsticks, but we’re gradually getting used to shovelling the rice or noodles into our mouths Chinese style!
This Quin styled tower of the old gates rises above old Dali in vibrant hues. The Three Pagodas, renovated since the ‘earthquake’ almost destroyed them, date from the 9th Century, the only remains of the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom, copied from the Budhist example in India, one large phallic symbol, in which they kept their fighting weapons on the ground floor, and other worldly goods on each layer after that, for a peaceful existence.
These pretty Bai girls in their traditional costume show how beautiful the young ones can be. |