Dali

We are in Dali, a so-called backpackers town in Yunnan Province; a town without heat; a town without a bus station. No heat even though winter nighttime temps get down to just above freezing because the locals are tough and since there is also no need for cooling in the summer at 2000 meters elevation, there is no sense that climate control indoors would loved by visitors. No bus station so the local travel agents can make hefty profits selling the tickets directly to travelers at much higher prices.

But we liked Dali anyway. Rented 2 bikes for the day for 15 RMB, just less than 2 USD. Had an awesome mushroom pizza today, and an awesome local hotpot last night. Bought a few souvenirs at reasonable prices, and rode the local bus yesterday to a bustling Market Day in Yousou, a Yi minority village just 45 kms from Dali.

I'm still behind on photos.

For Hunan photos click here.

For Guizhou photos click here.

And I've been keeping the Google Map updated. The red pushpin is our current location.

Home stretch

After a whole month of rambling among minority villages in SE Guizhou, we are now making our way back to Shanghai via Fenghuang, a scenic ancient watertown and tourist mecca in Hunan Province.

On the 11th, we will take a 2hr bus ride to Huaihua and then a 20-hour train ride to Shanghai in 1st Class Sleeper Coach (called Soft Sleeper in China).

Typical long distance bus pickup in Guizhou. Just stand by the side of the road and flag down the bus. This guy was headed the opposite direction from us.


Fenghuang at night.