From Lijiang to Chongqing

Last Morning in Lijiang Old Town

One of the beautiful daily sights in the old town is how locals and visitors will gather up in the square and folk dance to region folk music. Everyone is welcome to join, and there are plenty of seats for spectators. It’s really fun to watch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panoramic view of the square. This is in the northcorner of the old town and most of my exploring was on this side of the town – I don’t think I reached whole neighborhoods in all my visits here. Certainly more to explore.

Take a look at the location pinned in the map – that’s the square. Zoom out. See the difference in building sizes in that eras compared to the west of the city? Those small buildings are the ancient structures and narrow alleys of the old town. It’s massive!

 

Today in the square locals are making some traditional snacks.

 

 

 

 

Lunch Time

Back to the food court for sampling a few more dishes.

Some jelly eye-ball things

 

Spicy fried tofu.

 

Some fried noodles from the vendor that made that amazing fried rice I had yesterday – delicious, but eating in these places is pricey!

 

Working his magic!

 

 

 

Sneaking into Jade Spring Park (Black Dragon Pool Park)

Apparently you have to pay a pricey admission to be able to access the Old Town and surrounding municipal parks. This is done at your hotel. Because my hotel was run by a bunch of nitwits, I never knew this. It’s the last day here and I really wanted to visit this breathtaking park, but the admission was pricey. Turning back and several locals offer to sneak me in for a bargain price.

Through back streets, around buildings, through holes in fences, then past an admissions worker who was apparently in on it, I was at the park in about 15 minutes.

Not the best shooting conditions, nor season, but worth it for the view. See that mountain (clouds are actually covering the peak) … that’s where I was in 2012.

 

 

 

 

The Dragon Temple and Pool were built in 1737 (Qing Dynasty)

 

 

 

The pool is massive and fed by melt-water from the mountain. It dries up and the park closes in the dry season (I guess I visited in the dry season in 2012).

 

 

Last Moments in Lijiang

Goodbye shitty Yi Ya Inn and you terrible owners. My advice, sleep on the streets. It’s quieter and cleaner.

 

Wandering just outside the Old Town…

 

Delicious street lamb!

A neat little underground mall was just built in the city and while it’s barely full of tenants, it did have some cools shops. These little pastries were full of mango ice cream.

Banana Cream Custard

Cool iron sculptures for sale.

 

Arrived in Chongqing

and the hotel is in the heart of the shopping and night-eats district. With daylight gone, a little exploring of the neighborhood was all that could be done.

Street Hot Pot is all over the place.

food… food… food. Endless streets of food.

Settling down for the night with a local brew.