Readme.me - Backpack Through China: Kunming - Shangri-La - Lijiang - Dali (8 Days, 17K Baht)

Backpack Through China: Kunming - Shangri-La - Lijiang - Dali (8 Days, 17K Baht) - No Chinese Required!

Hello, fellow ReadMe Thailand readers! Today, I'm reviewing my trip to China, where I didn't know a single word of Chinese. Let's see how I managed to survive! Be warned: there are a lot of pictures!

The first Chinese character I learned after arriving in China was "元". This character is used after numbers to indicate currency. For example, 10元 is equivalent to 50 Thai baht. This was the only character I knew the meaning of until the end of my trip.

Tips for Traveling to China Without Knowing Chinese: From My First-Hand Experience!

I have a habit of buying a new SIM card and using the internet to find places to visit whenever I travel to neighboring countries. I intended to do the same during my trip to China. However, I was surprised to discover that almost all of the social media platforms we frequently use at home are blocked in China!

As far as I know, the Chinese government blocks a wide range of websites and services, including: YouTube, Facebook, LINE, some mobile online games, Instagram, all Google services (including Google Web browser, Google Maps, Google Translate, and Gmail), and many others. Additionally, accessing non-Chinese websites can be slow.

Surprisingly, Apple Maps works well in China, possibly due to Apple's significant investments in the country. However, Baidu Maps remains a viable option, despite the language barrier.

This app is recommended for use in China based on my recent experience. (P.S. If anyone has any interesting apps that can help with international travel, please share them with me and other friends. Haha)

Apple Maps can help you find bus routes and fares. It will tell you the price of the route, where to wait for the bus, and which bus stop to use. However, there is one limitation to Apple Maps' bus route search: it cannot find routes across cities. You must be in the city you want to travel to before it will show you the routes. For example, if you are in Kunming and want to find a bus route within Lijiang, it will not show up. (If anyone knows how to do this, please let me know!)

TripAdvisor is an excellent resource for travelers, especially when they arrive at a new destination and are unsure of what to see or do. The app provides a comprehensive list of nearby attractions, complete with user reviews and ratings. This eliminates the need to wander aimlessly, wondering "Where should we go?" Additionally, TripAdvisor seamlessly integrates with Apple Maps for convenient navigation.

As you know, I don't know Chinese, so I have to use a translator to communicate. This one is pretty good.

4. Hotel booking apps like Agoda or Booking are essential for those who book through these platforms. This is because many hotels in China, even when searched by name on map applications, often cannot be found. Instead of entering complex latitude and longitude coordinates, using the "Directions" feature within the Agoda or Booking app provides a much simpler solution.

5. Web bing.com: While we are more accustomed to Google, Bing is a viable alternative when Google is blocked in China. It is a reliable search engine for finding information beyond the capabilities of the aforementioned apps. While other search engines are available, Bing's speed and efficiency have made it my preferred choice.

6. Other popular chat apps include beetalk, pal+, and WeChat. In China, WeChat is the most widely used chat app. If you plan to contact people back home via chat, be sure to have these apps installed.

To avoid being blocked and continue using Facebook, LINE, and Google, you can activate roaming. The cost is approximately 300 baht per day or according to the package offered by your mobile carrier.

** In reality, there are still VPN connection techniques to circumvent the Chinese government's blockages, but they tend to be overly complicated and often slow. If anyone has any brilliant methods, please share them!

This is my travel plan.

Itinerary:

December 1:

Bangkok to Kunming to Shangri-la

December 2:

Guishan Park and Napa Hai Nature Reserve

December 3:

Shangri-la to Lijiang
Old Town

December 4:

White-water Terraces
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

December 5:

Lijiang to Dali
Night city

December 6:

Dali Culture Park
The Chongsheng Temple and the Three-Pagodas

December 7:

Dali to Kunming
Green Lake
Night city

December 8:

Kunming to Bangkok

Major Intercity Bus Stations in Yunnan Province

Kunming Eastern Bus Station: This station serves destinations north of Kunming, including Shangri-la, Lijiang, and Dali.

Shangri-la Central Bus Station: This station offers connections to Lijiang and Kunming.

Dali North Passenger Transport Terminal: This station provides transportation to various destinations, including Kunming.

XiaoXiMen: This station is served by bus route 919B, which connects Kunming to the airport for 13 yuan.

Note: The specific location of the Lijiang bus station is not provided.

The total trip cost, from leaving home to returning, was approximately 17,000 baht, excluding visa fees.

Let's embark on this journey together!

Day 1: Kunming to Shangri-La

This morning, I woke up with a slight feeling of excitement. I was about to embark on a journey to a country I had never visited before. After checking my luggage, I set off for Don Mueang Airport to catch my flight to Kunming.

I traveled with one friend. We arrived in Kunming at 12:30 PM. Kunming time is one hour ahead of Thailand time. After clearing Chinese immigration, it was around 1:00 PM before we left the airport.

Brrr... It's freezing here! It's only 9 degrees now. 🥶

However, our mission continues! The first thing we need to find is a Chinese SIM card so that we can have internet access to search for information while we are here.

After exiting the building, I searched for the SIM card but couldn't find it. Usually, it should be readily available upon exiting. So, I went to the information desk to inquire. They informed me that it was located on the left side of the exit. Oops, I must have been blind! Haha.

There are two SIM card shops here, priced at 100 Y!!! Damn, that's expensive, 500 baht! I can only convince myself that "It's okay, I'm staying for several days, it's still cheaper than opening Roaming anyway."

The text is in Thai and appears to be a frustrated user's experience with a website or application. The user is unable to access the website or application and is seeking help from the seller. The seller is able to access the website or application, which leads the user to believe that there may be a problem with their own device or internet connection. The user then searches online for a solution and discovers that the website or application is blocked in China. The user is then left wondering what to do next.

After landing, it took approximately two hours of trial and error to determine that Apple Maps was functional. This delay significantly impacted our schedule and caused embarrassment.

To reach the Kunming Eastern Bus Station from the airport, take bus 919A or 919B. After a short walk, you will arrive at the station, where you can purchase tickets to Shangri-La.

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At the bus station, I was completely lost. No English! What to do? Ask! I had to ask! So I went for it. I said the name of the place and used sign language to point at the ticket counter. "Shangri-La," I repeated, pointing frantically. The Chinese uncle pointed to window number 14. "Oh, thank you so m..." Before I could finish thanking him, he walked away. Sigh.

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And that's how I got my hands on a Shangri-La ticket… As for the train schedule, it's…

Kunming to Shangri-La Bus Schedule

Departure:

Times: 08:30, 09:30, 13:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30, 20:30
Location: Kunming West Bus Station
Duration: Approximately 10 hours
Cost: CNY197-228

Return:

Times: 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30

Source: www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/yunnan/shangri-la/transportation

I then went for a stroll, killing time until the bus departed.

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The journey from Kunming to Shangri-La by sleeper bus took over ten hours. Initially, I was apprehensive about whether I would be able to sleep soundly. However, I ended up sleeping much more comfortably than I had anticipated. The sleeper bus provided a large blanket and two pillows. Moreover, the roads in China are of excellent quality, and it seemed that all passenger vehicles were subject to a speed limit, preventing them from exceeding 100 kilometers per hour. Consequently, the ride was smooth and did not cause excessive swaying. I slept soundly and comfortably throughout the journey.

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Day Two of the China Tour ... Shangri-La

Upon arriving in Chiang Rai on the morning of December 2nd, the temperature was a bone-chilling -4 degrees Celsius. The sudden drop in temperature was a shock to the system.

Walking to the hotel, my heart was pounding with anticipation. I had booked a room for 380 baht/night, and I was wondering what it would be like. Would it be warm? But when I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised! The blankets were thick, and the bed had a plug-in heater. The reception even brought me a heater. Wow, this is great! I wonder how much a room like this would cost in my country... Hehe. Shangajoy Seasons Inn actually charges only 70 yuan, which is about 350 baht.

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Today, I rented a motorcycle to explore Shangri-La for 60 yuan, which is about 300 baht (not bad). I thought to myself, "This is the best way to go!" For 60 yuan, I can go anywhere I want, and I can even split the cost with Ice, so it's only 30 yuan each. What a great idea! Hehe.
Let's go! I drove slowly for a while... !!!! Oh my god... It's so cold... I forgot that it's already cold just standing still, and now I'm riding a motorcycle. The wind is hitting my face, hands, and legs... I'm shaking like I'm possessed. Lol.

In China, electric motorcycles are the norm. They're incredibly quiet, almost eerily so. I've nearly been hit several times because of it! They can also reach high speeds, up to 60 km/h. Hitting a bump can drop that to 50 km/h, though. They're surprisingly calm, even with all the riding I do. I guess you just have to get used to it! I stopped at a cafe for a coffee, but I can't remember the name. It was delicious, though (maybe because it was warm?).

At Shangri-La, I went archery, watched the sunset (alas, the clouds blocked it!), visited a temple, exercised, drank beer without ice (but it was refreshingly cold!), ate pizza, ate shiitake mushrooms, drank warm tea, enjoyed the view, looked at other people's rooftops, and rode a motorbike with the cool wind hitting my face until it hurt. But there's one thing I didn't do… talk to the Chinese people. Because they wouldn't talk to me. 😭 Every time I tried to say hello, they saw that I couldn't speak Chinese and just walked away. So sad…

Let's take a long look at the pictures.

Aromatic and delicious coffee in a charming cafe.

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Lunch abroad, the taste is not bad at all

Around the city of Shangri-la

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Napa Hai Nature Reserve

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Mount Guishan Park

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The pizza was delicious, but it would have been even better with tomato sauce.

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Day 3: City Change to Lijiang Old Town

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I left Shangri-La around noon and went to the Shangri-La Central Bus Station to buy a ticket to Lijiang (the ticket price is listed in the expense table). The bus ride took about 4 hours and was a comfortable coach. The bus schedule is as follows:

From Lijiang to Shangri-la, there are frequent buses departing from both Lijiang Bus Station and Lijiang Express Bus Station. The journey takes approximately 4 hours and costs between CNY46 and CNY68. Buses depart from Lijiang Bus Station every 30-40 minutes from 07:30 to 17:00. From Lijiang Express Bus Station, buses depart at 08:20, 09:30, 10:30, 13:00, 14:30, and 15:30. Return trips from Shangri-la to Lijiang are available at various times throughout the day, with buses departing as frequently as every 10 minutes during peak hours.

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I arrived in Lijiang in the late afternoon and checked into my accommodation. I used Apple Maps to navigate to my hostel, Lijiang Flower Theme Hostel, which cost 157 yuan for two nights. The room was comfortable and had heated beds, making for a pleasant stay. Overall, I was very satisfied with the accommodation.

I plan to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain tomorrow. According to my online research, there is no public transportation available. I can either join a tour group or hire a private car. The latter option seems expensive, so I have opted for the former. I am going out to purchase a tour package.

Lijiang's Abundance of Tour Agencies

Lijiang boasts a remarkable concentration of tour agencies, offering travelers a plethora of options to choose from. Visitors need not worry about finding a suitable agency or wasting time searching, as they are ubiquitous throughout the city, particularly within the bustling Old Town.

After entering the hotel to purchase a tour, I found that no one was available at the tour desk. I decided to walk outside and look for a shop with English signage, hoping to find someone who could communicate with me. However, I was met with disappointment. The nearby shops completely ignored me. When I asked, "Can you speak English?" they simply responded with a hand gesture and said goodbye. They showed no interest in selling me a tour package. I tried four different shops, and the result was the same each time. Defeated, I returned to the hotel and asked them to book a tour for me. This proved to be just as challenging! It was at this point that Bing translator came to my rescue, enabling me to successfully purchase a tour to the mountains! Yes!

Note * Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tour Price 460 yuan (but the price tag is 580) including lunch, cold weather cloth and 1 can of oxygen. The car will pick you up at the hotel around 7:30-8:00 and return around 16:00. Foreigners must bring their passports with them, otherwise they will not be able to take the cable car!
After everything was ready, I went for a walk in the Old Town. It was very lively at night. It is a place to buy souvenirs, silverware, food, drink beer, listen to music, take pictures and most importantly!! This is one of the world heritage sites.

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Morning of the color of the journey in China, climbing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

The van picked us up at the hotel at 7:30 am and took us to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for photos. It was around 8:00 am and extremely cold. I was wearing two pairs of jeans, three pairs of socks, five layers of shirts, and a pair of windproof gloves, but I was still freezing! Despite the cold, the view was absolutely worth it.

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Next, we went to the White-water Terraces, which was a short distance away. The guide spoke for a long time, but I couldn't understand a single sentence. Haha. Then, the people in the car started talking loudly, and a couple said, "Follow me?" I was surprised and said, "OK." After that, I gradually started talking to my fellow travelers. When they had to talk to me, I thought the Chinese people were actually very friendly. There was a tall couple who went with us, and we talked a lot using body language and broken English. I still don't know what we were talking about! Haha. But the feeling I got was friendliness, and that made me happy. After the White-water Terraces, we went to a lake whose name I don't know, but it was very beautiful.

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At this point, there will be a lunch break where everyone will enjoy a communal hotpot meal. The atmosphere is lively and fun, and everyone leaves feeling full and satisfied. The taste is also excellent.

After recharging our batteries, it was time for the highlight: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The guide gave a lengthy explanation, which I assume covered survival tips and safety checks for the mountain ascent. With a resounding "Follow me!", we eagerly trailed behind, ready for the adventure ahead.

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At this point, your passport will be checked, so don't forget to bring it. From the entrance, we need to take a bus for about 10 minutes to reach the cable car station. Then, we need to take the cable car for a while to reach the top of the mountain. Surprisingly, it's not as cold as I thought on the top! The clothes I wore seem too much, I feel hot now. HaHa.

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The cable car stop is not the highest point. To reach the summit, you must climb a steep staircase. The view from the top is breathtaking, but the air is thin. After climbing just a few steps, you will begin to feel the effects of the altitude. Oxygen can be a lifesaver at this point.

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This concludes my trip. Upon returning to my accommodation at 4:00 PM, I decided to take a stroll through the Old Town. However, upon arrival, I was surprised to find an entrance fee of 80 yuan! Finding this rather expensive, I retreated and pondered the situation. Recalling that there was no fee the previous night, I resolved to return later that evening. As anticipated, there was no entrance fee at night, allowing me to enjoy a final walk through Lijiang before departing the next day. <3

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Day Five: City Change to Dali Night Market

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Today, I changed cities again. I chose to stay near Dali City. I don't know why, but I booked it already. Haha! I have to say that this hotel is the most difficult one to communicate with and check in! That is, when you enter the room, you need to use a password, and the password will be sent to the customer's mobile phone! Can you imagine? It took me a long time to communicate with them. The room also doesn't have a heated bed like the previous ones, and it's the only one that is squat-style. All the other places I stayed had flush toilets: Dali Lanmeng Hotel 196 yuan / 2 nights.
After all the communication, it's time to go out and see the city.

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Day six: The Chongsheng Temple and the Three Pagodas

Before visiting the Three Pagodas, I took a stroll through the Dali Culture Park, located 1.6 kilometers before the Three Pagodas. I took bus number 4, which cost only 2 yuan. Let's see how big it is.

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Let's continue to today's highlight, the Chongsheng Temple and the Three Pagodas. I walked leisurely from Dali Culture Park, and it didn't take long to get there. There is a shuttle bus available, but I didn't think it was far, so I walked. The entrance fee is 121 yuan!!!!! It's super expensive! At first, I wondered if it was worth it, but if you come to Dali... come here! It's worth it!! It's so beautiful! Let's take a look.

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As dusk approached, I returned to Dali's Culture Park for a final stroll. The park's atmosphere transforms dramatically between day and night, offering distinct experiences.

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Day Seven: Return to Kunming

The journey from Dali to Kunming takes approximately six hours by car, with occasional stops for rest and meals. While it may seem tedious, the combination of napping and enjoying the scenery makes the time pass relatively quickly.

I stayed at the Kunming Cloudland International Youth Hostel, which was an excellent choice. The staff spoke English, and there were amenities such as a pool table, ping pong table, and delicious food at reasonable prices. The rooms were clean, the beds were warm, and even though the bathrooms were shared, they were clean and comfortable. The location was also convenient, being close to Green Lake, Kundu night market, and a bus stop.

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After checking in, I went out to take photos at Green Lake. It seems that dancing and exercising are popular in Kunming. I saw a lot of people doing it.

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For those who enjoy nightlife, Kundu night market is the place to be. It offers a wide variety of pubs, including M2 club, Babi club, and Muse. According to local sources, Kundu is the only area in Kunming with pubs. (Please note that this information is based on hearsay and may not be entirely accurate.)

Arrive home on the morning of the eighth.

I'm going home today.

Parting with a beautiful picture of the sky and each other.

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Please support my "Page Luy Diaw Tiew Thai" https://www.facebook.com/MheePaTheiyw. See you again in the next review. Bye!

#china #kunming

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Tuesday, October 8, 2024 11:30 AM

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