Memory Inn Lijiang

... entrance and the small, fast-flowing rivers are a constant presence, running down the middle of the street over a series of minor waterfalls, or flowing down one side or the other, crossed by picturesque hump-backed stone bridges. The streets are narrow and cobbled and the buildings are . . . . well, that is really the problem. The buildings are a series of shops, restaurants, tour agencies, street after street after street. They all seem to be catering for ...

... Dancing Storyteller

... extending the TLG trip to Baishui Tai, I decided to make it an out and back trek instead, stopping at guesthouses randomly.
http://www.chinatrekking.c om/maps/yunnan-maps/tiger-leaping-gorge -trekking-map

The next morning I left at about 8am and stopped at Tea Horse Guesthouse for baba, a local bread and later stopped at Halfway Guesthouse to take in the view from their "inspiration terrace". I made good time and left the trail at ...

... behind all the time urging me to hop on the horse ( to get more money!!) but I was determined not to give in!!






Great views of course from the top point of the path. We were still no where near the top of the mountains that towered over us & the other side of the gorge had mountains with sheer vertical sides with their snow capped tops hidden in cloud. Got my bag off the ...

Today we spent all of out time exploring the town, it is incredibly easy to get lost but that doesnt matter as the city is so interesting and all the roads eventually lead to a central square. I got my first souvenier, its an old chinese coin but made of tea, not to big so it shouldnt be to hard to lug ...

... and takes him on a long journey to collect the reward. Distribution Workshop's Jeffrey Chan said he will handle international sales for the Chinese-language film, set during China's Warring States Period (476 B.C.-221 B.C.), in association with the JC Group. Polybona Film Distribution and JC Group will distribute the movie in China. The film also stars Chinese-American actor Wang ("Lust, Caution"), Korean singer Yoo Seung-jun, newcomer Lin ...

... 20 years of lobbying for the honour to play host. It must be a relief to the leaders in Beijing as well, for who would have thought that this singular event would come to test Chinese fortitude as much as it has over the past year. In as much time as China took to put together the greatest sporting event on earth, its critics' pitch rose over its track record on human rights and democracy, foreign policy on Darfur, position on Tibet, widening income inequality and ...

... a warm dinner. That went right spotted after the hard day I had. The atmosphere is good and merry between us: a English couple from Southampton, another couple of friends fom North of England, a nice Californian and a Dutch girl. On the second day, I started with them this time. The pace was slower, which was fine to me as I started to have blister. I'm surprised to have blisters with these old reliable shoes, My feet didn't like the steep side walking of the previous day! A ...

... the famous local dishes (invariably 'delicious'). This led to the discovery of yet another interesting feature of the Lijiang tour machine - the fake monk. In the early morning, I have often seen monks making their way from place to place receiving alms (donations of food or money to the monastery). That's the way things work. Genuine monks do not beg. They certainly do not specifically approach foreigners and wave money in their faces with an ...

Yesterday I left the Dehong Prefecture(Ruili, Wanding, Langchan, Jiegeio, etc), and its border with Myanmar. Whilst I enjoyed visiting the area, I have to say that I never really felt safe in the town. The villages were fine and the minority peoples welcoming, but the spiritual darkness of Ruili, left you feeling vulnerable, and that was a feeling I did not really enjoy, but I was not alone! Sitting on the border was an interesting time, and I had time ...