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Footsteps - Jotaro's Travels
China - Dynamic Yunnan 24th to 31st August 2011
Day 3 : 26th August 2011
After yesterday's activities, today's itinerary looks tame. Partly because the whole morning will be taken up by traveling from Kunming to Dali. Nevertheless, the afternoon promised to be an appealing, with visits to an ancient city and to a whole town built as a film city.
By the time our bus reached Dali, it was past noon. The journey from Kunming had taken us almost five hours. What can I say - China is big! Although we are in a small corner of the country, travelling from major town to major town takes up valuable time. On the next bus ride, I might as well try to enjoy the scenic country side instead of sleeping (that's what I did today).
The long trip had also made our stomachs growl with hunger; straight after checking in at the Man Wan Hotel, we proceeded for lunch. Then only did we take our baths to prepare for the afternoon tour.
The Tianlongbabu Film City
This was a former film-prop city, not just build of cardboard & timber but built as a real-life town of permanent structure. Now it has been turned into a tourist destination of sorts, with the buildings operated as shops for souvenir, silver adornments, etc.
It was the set of the film Tiang Long Ba Bu, a story based on ancient China times, so one can expect to see buildings of ancient times.
We were ushered into the main road of the city where a re-enactment from the film was carried out. A lucky tourist who caught an orange thrown from the balcony was selected, the "poor" guy who caught it must have suffered from stage fright as he was shivering whilst putting on the red costume. Anyway, he managed to overcome his fear and played his role of groom to the princess quite well - probably be the pretty princess have pacified him!
We were then led to the inner walls of the city, it's architecture very similar to Tibetan style as Yunnan is just next to Tibet. A lion dance was ongoing and the red lion danced well, and climbed on to poles and did an even better balanced dance.
After that, it was free & easy for us to wander on our own. I explored further in and came upon this yak. Surprisingly it was very tame and quiet, it's eyes bearing a sorrowful look (did it miss it's companions of the wild?). I paid some money and hoped on it for some photos to be taken by the yak-minder. Crouching a bit, I imagined myself to be a weary traveler transversing the Old Silk road.
Further in there were even more photo opportunities with props all around. Here I am in one of the army costumes. The medieval setting of the whole place does make one's imagination go wild. And I was imagining myself a great Chinese General leading his multitudes to war..... but by the looks of the photo above, I am more likely the lowly foot soldier who will be used as cannon fodder!
And here I am, a Chinese trader plying the Silk Road with his precious wares, his horse struggling against the desert storm.
Okay..... better get back to serious touring again otherwise I may end up staying in this place for good.
This one is a temple, odd thing is even though this city is suppose to be a back-drop for a film; this temple is actually operating with people coming to prayer and worship. The temple is nice but.....
..... but it is setting among the misty hills that makes it remarkable.
Tian Long Ba Bu is not just a film-set, unlike many other film-sets which are deserted, it is actually a living city where people do business, pray and perhaps even stay there.
I finally got to meet my Chinese General, but it was on the way out already. So Goodbye Tianlongbabu, Goodbye Dreams ~~~~
Dali Ancient City
Leaving Tianlongbabu and my wild imaginations behind, we were taken to Dali Ancient City. But Hey! There's nothing ancient here! Granted the houses looks old but it's short of special.
Aaahh... one has to walk behind the main streets to the pathways and alleys to appreciate this place.
Then only can one feel the "ancientness" of the place.
The building walls of the narrow alleys are adorned with nice paintings and topped off with detailed roofs.
Some of this ancient buildings are even operating as hotels.
Walking down the narrow pathway we met a young local girl dressed in traditional costume, our first meeting up close with the tribal locals.
We were led down a dark narrow hall way...
... to this inner courtyard. Yes! It is dinner time, and we will be having it in one of those rooms at the top. We had lost track of time while being so absorbed in our tour.
Well that was a short but interesting Day 3. See you tomorrow!
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