Monday, November 11, 2019

China (Kunming, Dali, Chuxiong & Lijiang, Yunnan) Nov 2019


" My 8 days 7 nights package tour to Kunming, Dali, Chu Xiong & Lijiang, (Yunnan Province of Southern China) from 3 - 10/11/2019 - accompanying my wife to fulfil her dream of visiting the scenic area of Xinglin Grand View Garden (Stone Forest) in Shi Lin, Yulong Snow Mountain, Dali & Lijiang Ancient City, Yunnan " 

This is the 4th package tour my family members had signed up with Airlink Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd, Bandar Puteri, Puchong, Selangor since 2016. The 1st was Taiwan, followed by Zhangjiajie & Jiangnam. Airlink in Puchong specializes in ocean cruises & China tours hence our close association to Airlink given the company's office's close proximity to Subang Jaya ! 

Overall, I am happy with the tour program, food, transport & hotel arrangements throughout our 8 days visit to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Jade Dragon Mountain & Chuxiong. Early birds normally entitled for a discount on package tour price so plan your travel early in order to get the best deal ! 

Though I had been to Kunming (thrice), Shi Lin(once), Dali (once) & Lijiang (thrice) but I have not visited Jade Dragon Mountain & Chuxiong & a few of the side tours listed in Airlink travel program. In Feb 2019, I took my wife on a free & easy visit to Nanning, Kunming & Guizhou but we did not extend our stay to cover Shi Lin, Dali, Lijiang & Jade Dragon Mountain hence this "no shopping" package tour to fulfil my wife's dream of seeing these touristy places ! 

For this visit, I have a re-union with the Chong's family who was my tour mates in Sept 1998 when we were on a 7 day package tour to Kunming & Guizhou ! A lapse of 21 years & we met again in this corner of the earth a second time ! Fate or miracle, I don't know but it was great that we were able to catch up &  talk of the good old days when we were travelling together in China ! 

Weather in November in South China is generally cool & pleasant ranging from 7c > 18c. But in mountainous areas, it becomes much colder eg the Jade Dragon Mountain top could be minus 4c to 5c ! So make sure you bring along your warm clothing / jacket with you ! 

As Dali (1,975m), Lijiang (2,400m)  & Jade Dragon Mountain (3,356m>4,506m) are located in high altitude places, so be prepared for this trip and seek guidance from your tour leader (a big thank you to Melissa Yen for her advice & help concerning my wife's health in Dali) & local tour guides so as to take the necessary precautions ! Tour members with ill health may not be suitable to sign up any optional tours to high altitude places especially above 3,000m high !  While in Dali (1,975m), my wife had a stomach upset, vomiting & symptoms of high altitude sickness (a bit unusual as she was a seasoned traveler & had been to high altitudes places before) but fortunately after an overnight rest & sleep in the hotel, she recovered remarkably well in the next morning. In the worst cased scenario, she may have to admit to a local hospital & seek treatment; this certainly will upset the rest of our tour program …. So be warned and if you are in doubt, do not sign up any optional tour to high altitude mountain places as you stand to lose the advance payment which is normally collected on the 1st day of your visit in China ! 

My wife & myself standing tall by the side of a sign at the top of the Jade Dragon Glacier Park (4,506m) - one up for her in the world of travelling ! 


For the rest of the tour members, I hope all of you enjoyed the trip & brought back fond memories & I wish all of them always in good health & happy travelling. Hopefully, we could meet again in another corner of the earth in the near future. Take care ! 

Total Expenses incurred (8 days): Rm3,164 + CNY959 = RM3,739 (US$895)
Package Tour Price: Rm2,999 (inclusive of food , transport, hotel accommondations & tips) 
Travel Insurance: Rm57
China Visa Fee (own application): Rm100
Optional Tour: CNY480 
Skybus: Rm6
Rapid KL train: Rm2.10
Food: CNY22
Groceries (for home): CNY260
Sundries: CNY80
Medicine: CNY117
Exchange Rates: US$1 = Rm4.18; CNY 1 = Rm0.60


Travel Itinerary: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Kunming, China > Shi Lin > JiuXiang > Kunming > Dali > Lijiang > Chuxiong > Kunming > Kuala Lumpur  (ground transport mileage by bus in southern China approx. 1,220km one way)

- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Kunming, China = 2,419km; 3.5hr by air
- Kunming > Stone Forest, Shi Lin = 84km
- Kunming > Dali = 334km 
- Dali > Lijiang = 192km
- Lijiang > Chu Xiong = 357km 
- Chu Xiong > Kunming = 169km 

Surface Elevation of Yunnan cities / touristy places (against Mt Kinabalu, Sabah of 4,095m) 
- Kunming = 1,892m above sea level
- Dali = 1,975m 
- Lijiang = 2,400m
- Jade Dragon Mountain = 3,356 > 4,506m
- Lugu Lake (Kingdom of Women) = 2,685m
- Shangrila = 3,160m
- Daocheng Yading = 3,753m

Image result for yunnan map
Yunnan Province Map, China

Tour Organizer: Airlink Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd, No 35, Jalan Puteri 2/1, Bandar Puteri, 47500 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia (Tel No 603-80601199) 
  

A group photo taken at the Kunming International Airport (12 tour members) prior to our departure for home ! 


The sweetness of Re-union is the joy of Heaven ! 21 years ago, the Chong family members from Kuala Lumpur were on a 7 days package tour to Kunming & Guizhou in Southern China (Sept 1998) & we were travelling together (me & another colleague of mine; we do not know each other then). Guessed what ! On Sunday 3 Nov 2019, a big surprise awaiting to happen. Mr Chong's family (spouse Angie & lovely daughter) were on the same flight with me joining the same package tour to Kunming, Shi Lin, Dali & Lijiang - what a coincidence ! Both me & Chong family were re-united again this time (a very rare chance as we had not bumped on each other for 2 decades) & best still we were on a same package tour to southern China again - another big surprise when Mr Chong was able to recognize & greet me when I was seated on the adjacent row as soon as I boarded the Air Asia flight destined to Kunming ! How time has flown ! The joy of meeting again in this Yunnan package tour brighten up our 8 days vacation in southern China ! 

" Goodbye doesn't mean the end, it does not say forever. It just means that we will meet again " 

A group photo with Chong's family & our Tour Guide in Black Stone Forest, Shi Lin, Yunnan 
Mr Chong & K M - Fated for this 21 years Re-Union ! 

My Good Old Days travelling with the Chong family (Sept 1998) 

A  21 year rendezvous ? Was it fate ? Ask a fortune teller ! 

Yuantong Temple, Kunming (1998) 
Stone Forest, Shi Lin (1998)
Makan Makan (Eating) time in Kunming (1998)

Boat ride to Alu Cave, JiuXiang (1998) 

Travel Highlights (8 Days 7 Nights Package Tour to Kunming / Dali / Lijiang, Yunnan): 

1) Black Stone Forest, Shi Lin, Yunnan 

Black Stone Forest, Yunnan

2) JiuXiang Scenic Area, Yunnan


3) Dali, Yunnan


4) Lijiang Ancient Town (UNESCO), Yunnan 


5) Black Dragon Lagoon, Lijiang, Yunnan


6) Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang Yunnan


7) Yiren Ancient Town, ChuXiong, Yunnan

Yiren Anceint Town, Yunnan

8) Kunming, Yunnan

Yuantong Temple, Kunming 

Optional Tour Program (CNY480) per pax 

1) Yunnan Impression Performance, Kunming 


2) Lijiang Cableway to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang (replacing Yunshanping walking trail)


Special Cuisine for our Kunming/Dali/Lijiang tour group as specified in Airlink's tour brochure:

1) Bridge Crossing Noodle + Chicken, Kunming  


2) Yiliang Roasted Duck, Kunming  


3) Mushroom Steamboat, Kunming


4) Rainbow Trout Flavor Hot Pot, Lijiang


5) Dali Fish Clay Pot, Dali


My Good Old Days backpacking (solo travel) in southern China (Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Daocheng Ya Ding, Tiger Leaping Gorge & Lugu Lake)


Kunming, Yunnan (1998, 2010 & 2019)

Stone Forest, Kunming (1998) 

Dali, Yunnan (2010)

Dali Ancient Town , Yunnan (2010) 

Lijiang, Yunnan (2010, 2014 & 2019)

Lijiang Ancient Town (2010 & 2014) 

Shangri-La (Zhongdian), Yunnan (2014)

Shangri-La (Zhongdian), Yunnan (2014) 

Daocheng Yading, Sichuan (2014)

Mt Jampayong, Daocheng Yading (2014) 

Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yunnan (2014)

Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yunnan (2014) 

Lugu Lake, Yunnan (2014)

Lugu Lake, Yunnan (2014) 

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