Dali Yunnan

Day 3

Checked into Kunming High Speed Rail station. Our train is at 7.34am but the lounge is only opened at 7am.

The coke at the lounge is so cute. The biscuit is very tasty too. Limited snacks and drinks but nice touch to the wait. Waiting for the staff to bring us on board.

The staff guide us to the train. Took a lift up to level 2 again and he cleared the path for us to check in. The seat can recline flat so hubby slept through. Temperature is really cold at 14 degree celsius outside. The staff issue us a snack box and a bottle of water followed by breakfast bread and milk. Was moving slowly at 95 km per hour at first.

Love that you can lay flat for a good sleep.

The toilet is very clean.

Finally arrived at Dali Ancient town.

The flower garland is so expensive here at 10 yuan, double the price from Kunming. However it does seem prettier.

Hubby needed his coffee.

Dined at Yun You restaurant 云游饭店 recommended by our guide for home cooked Bai dishes. Hubby loves the sour spicy fish and i love the cured meat fried with crispy mint. Love the vegetable 水性扬花.

Went to Chongsheng temple and the 3 pagodas. 

Took the buggy and engaged the service of in-house guide. Did not expect the number of temples... more than 5 after flights and flights of stairs 350. Learned so much about the Buddha worshipped in the temple. This is infused with the story of the local Buddha, one whom turned black after devouring the plague. Luckily there is also buggy at the top of the last temple Da Xiong Ba Dian.

Checked into Dali Ancient Town Anyu hotel. We could not recognise the hotel and thought we were lost at first. Then they can't find our reservation as the tour agent booked Lijiang Anyu instead of this. This is a beautiful boutique hotel in within the Ancient town and yet cars can drive to the hotel's front. The amenities are awesome. 

The hotel gave us a free linen tote bag with a manicure set, mask, tissue and plasters. There is also a shawl, 2 umbrellas and sun block spray available for use. 

A cute and big dog near the hotel.

Took a didi to the Catholic Church but she did not drop us at the correct location. We had to walk through Dali ancient town and foreigner street.

Bought the iced sweet hu lu.

Went to see the historical Catholic Church which has a Chinese architecture.

Many houses built of stones

Many girls booked the 2nd floor for photography.

The perfume smells nice so I bought one at 88 yuan.

Went to see the historical Catholic Church which has the Chinese architecture 

At Jinshanbanian guyuancanting 尽善百年古院餐厅 in Dali Ancient town。Most delicious dinner. Love the cold noodle. Never like cold noodle but this is superb. The fried prawns are awesome too. The friedchilli is crunchy and not spicy at all. The grilled eggplant is nice but a bit oily. Hubby love the tomato egg soup. I like the crispy milk fan dip in sugar. The potions are all so big. Better eaten as a group. Ambience is also good.

Took a tuk tuk like vehicle from the ancient town back to the hotel and realised it is so close by.

Day 4

The breakfast is so luxurious. Abalone, Noodle with minced meat (you can also order the spicy beef noodle or cold noodle), side dishes fried spring roll, prawn mushroom and prickles.nice chicken and mushroom soup Fruit platter with blue berry, grapes and orange. Yoghurt and a very beautiful pudding. Cucumber, orange and watermelon juice. Hot corn juice and milk available on the buffet table with ham, salmon, salad, bread, and many more. 

A type of congee which is nice.

Walked across the Dali Ancient Town. Rainy day with light drizzle. Bought some souvenirs.

Visited the Wu hua lou 五华楼.

Visited the Dali Zhang's Garden, a palace with very unique Bai architecture. We are lucky to meet a driver who introduced us to this palace as we originally wanted to visit Tian Long Ba Bu film studio. It resembles the Peranakan house in Malacca except it is 4 times bigger with many courts. There is even one to receive the foreign guests with a very European design. The master room is on the west side and there is a white wall which will reflect the light into the room as there is no window.

Watched the performance at Dali Zhang's Garden. Love story of how the Bai couple was separated as the guy left for the tea horse route.

Anyu hotel is so nice to give us a flask as a souvenir. Thanks to Dali Ancient City Anyu hotel. Your service and numerous gifts was a pleasant touch. Love your tea set and breakfast. Such a luxury!

Finally arrived at our next hotel. Going to relax at this Greek like hotel facing Erhai. Took an hour to travel from Anyu hotel on the west side of Erhai to this hotel on the east.

Wow the waffle is so good! So light and flavourful. The rose pudding has very strong rose smell but not sweet at all. I like the savoury tart and fruit platter. The latte is good too.

The hotel is a beautiful photo stop.