7-Part Video Series Highlighting a 3 week tour of Yunnan Province in China, 2005
Without doubt, our favourite part of China. From temperate capital Kunming to the extraordinary old towns of Lijiang & Dali. Dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge, huge snow mountains and Tibetan style villages. Yunnan has it all. This remains my favourite series of videos albeit shot with an old camera. We would love to host another tour to Yunnan.
VIDEO #1. Kunming
First video of Relax Asia's 2005 tour of Yunnan Province in South West China. Features the capital, Kunming and surrounds. Walking around the town, tai chi in the central square, biking around town and a bus trip to the Stone Forest and Western Hills.
VIDEO #2. Ruili
Fly to Mangshi from Kunming and then bus to the Burma border town of Ruili. Visit a Dai minority village. Coach to Tengchong, hot springs and wonderful old back-streets. Also visit the cemetry where 800 Nationlist Army soldiers are buried after dying defending the area from invading Japanese troops in the late 1930s. Wander through the ancient town of Hexun before crossing the Mekong and arriving in Dali. Boat trip on Erhai Lake to Jin Suo Isle.
VIDEO #3. Dali - Lijiang
Starting on Jin Suo Isle on Lake Erhai, this video takes us to the Three Pagodas and Dali Old Town before driving to Lijiang. We enjoy a fantastic concert by the Naxi Orchestra. The following day a trip out to Yak Meadow of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a cable car ride up the mountain and a visit to Longquan village. We start to explore the old town of Lijiang and visit Black Dragon Pond.
VIDEO #4. Lijiang - Zhongdian
In this video we continue exploring the old town of Lijiang before travelling by bus to Zhongdian. En route we visit the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, Stone Drum Town, the Ganden Songzanglin Monastery and a Tibetan Family Home.
VIDEO #5. Zhongdian - Deqin
Drive to Deqin. Visit Shudu Lake, Benzhilan Tibetan Village and Dongzhulin Monastery. We get some fabulous views of the Bai Ma Snow Mountains.
VIDEO #6. Deqin & Mountain Horse Ride
This video highlights the town of Deqin, Fei Lai Temple & Meili Snow Mountains. We go up part of the mountain on horseback to the edge of the Glacier and Taizi Temple.
VIDEO #7. Drive back to Zhongdian
Drive to Zhongdian with magnificent mountain views. Flight from Zhongdian to Kunming and more sight-seeing around the city. Last dinner together before group depart for Melbourne. Veronica and I fly to Chengdu - visit Wenshu Temple and an ethnic minority theme park with fire-eating on a two day local tour of Emei Shan & Le Shan with its giant Buddha. End of a truly unforgettable trip. Thanks to everyone who came on this journey, to this day it remains my favourite tour.