I have heard wonderful tales about this place but non of those stories could prepare me for the awesome experience I had.
This was a place I chose for our honeymoon and after much persuasion, my wife agreed. Research followed and then Matta Fair. We managed to book a return flight tickets from Kumming for about RM 930.00/person minus airport tax. From Kumming we need another connection flight to Li Jiang which cost about 600 Yuan/person. Need not worry though about not able to book the ticket. There are plenty of flights.
Before departing from Kumming, we were approched by tour agent promising a value for money tour. For the first timer, please do not get convinced. Normally, one would feel unsecure about where to go. That’s understandable. There are plenty to choose from as we discovered as we went about at Li Jiang there are many cheaper tours. Overall, we estimate, we would have save about 1000 Yuan/person for 10 days trip if we did not agree to the Kumming tour agent. After coming out from Li Jiang airport, proceed to left about 50 -100 metres and there are plenty of taxi (100 Yuan). Ask for KFC (only one). It’s at the front entrance to ancient town of Li Jiang. There itself got plenty of tour agents and also nearby to many hotels and guest houses. Please stay at the ancient town guest houses. There are traditional, old but renovated houses. One can experience the lifestyle, hospitality and they are in the heart of ancient town.
Li Jian, The World Heritage
Li Jiang ancient town is about 800 years old. It’s a world heritage was only discovered recently. I shall not go into that story. Let’s focus on the trip. The architecture were mesmerising. Felt Iike going through time travel. The air is fresh but dry. Sunny on most days and with little rain there is non stop activities in the open. The canal from which water flow from mountain is clean and plenty of fishes. It’s one of the uniqueness of this place. During the nights there are plenty of very happening pubs and discos all were in ancient town. They actually converted the old houses into pubs. It’s more happening than our Telawi Street, Bangsar. Then again it’s too happening for both of us so we took of to other places.
 Li Jiang old town Next is shang-ri La (Chung Tein). The journey took about 8 hours. Along the way we stopped at La SI Hai (Lake) for some horse riding. The event cost us 600 Yuan/person for about 3 hours of boat ride, horse ride up the mountain and some tea sampling. Pheew! what a relief when it’s over. Oh no. not that it’s a bad trip. We actually enjoy it. it’s just the horse ride cost us some back pain. The view – spectacular and the ride enjoyable for first timer. Prior to that we went boat ride on the lake and saw some wild ducks and one white bird which look like a crane. After that we stop at an open field and had the locals bake us some some fishes with baby dragonflies. It’s delicious. A must try. Felt like cowboy living a free and carefree life.
 Horse riding at La SI Hai (Lake) Before we go up the mountain to Shang-ri La we have to stop to visit a rock in the middle of Chung Kiang river. They called it Tiger Leaping Gorge. Legend has it a tiger upon been chased by human reached the river bank and with no place to run leaped with all its might to the rock and then over to the other bank to escape. Must be super tiger. The river is more than 50 feet wide. It’s a place I will not recommend. To see that rock, we have to walk more than 2 km one way. The journey back we just took a rickshaw ride (40 Yuan). Too tired already.
The Early Spring
The journey up shang-ri La was filled with beautiful sceneries. During our trip, it’s the start of spring. The flowers were not there yet. The best time to go is Autumn. The place is fill with rainbow of flowers and plants. Still our journey was interesting. We get to see Sakura flower, high plateau grass plain, yaks, donkey and horses running freely and locals with tents in the open. Imagine watching a movie about olden days Mongul. Shang-ri La town has nothing much to offer accept there is also an ancient town like Li Jiang but not as beautiful and happening. We had the opportunity to sample local food. Please ask your guide to bring you. They are nice and the beef(yak) cook with chili is awesome. A warning to those not able to eat spicy food. This dish although very nice is too spicy even for a chili padi eater like me. Also try the Yak milk. very nice.
Next is way up to Fei Lai Si. A small remote place top of mountain to view Mei Li Snow Mountain in the morning where it will changes colour from white to gold. We stopped at at about 4300 metres above sea level to play with snow. Apart from that, there’s nothing much to see. The journey is miserable after that. Imagine 40 KM of bumpy road. They were doing road repair and it’s already 7 years and still on it. When we reach over destination, It’s more misery. Road was rotten and muddy. The hotel water taste like mud water and there is nothing much to eat. The morning was filled with mist. Cannot see more than 50 feet. So no mountain at all. After that it’s another 40 KM of bumpy road back.
 Mei Li Snow Mountain Back at Li Jiang, we were ragged and tired. Li Jiang ancient town is too busy, so we decided to stay at Shu He. Another ancient town with 1200 years history. Of course our nice quide brought us to sample dried pork rib. Another awesome meal. It’s a must try. Located near new town market.
Shu He was totally out of our imagination. It’s tranquil, beautiful and the people is most pleasant. We finally felt at home. In fact it’s so nice, my wife do not want to come back to Malaysia. If you need any help, just ask your guest house owner. He/she will make sure all your requests are met and will go all out to make you feel at home. Our host treated us to some tea, brought us to pick cherry and help us arrange for transport. The place is safe. No worry at all.
If you are there, take a bicycle ride (15 Yuan) to Bai sha, 1400 years old. It’s 20 minutes ride fill with beautiful country side scenery. And if you are bored, take a taxi(20 Yuan) to Li Jiang and have all the fun clubbing. There are pubs at Shu He but not as busy and noisy. It’s most relaxing here.
 You can rent a bike to Bai Sha Anywhere in Li Jiang or Shu He, try out their grilled squid (4 Yuan). Very nice. Pork and beef is common but not chicken. Rare and expansive. Beside, who want chicken when there is plenty of yak.
“Yong is such an adventurous guy. I knew him for more than 5 years, love to listen to his trip stories to East coast of Malaysia, and how he deal with his printing customers too. I must say, the Li-Jiang trip is amazing. Enjoy!” Said Pin, a4trip.com
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