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We set off today along the Old Burma Rd , winding up and down mountain passes , through forest of pine tress , rhododendrons and azaleas . As we head north east for Dali we cross the Nujang River (or The Salween in Burma) in the Goligo valley and stop for lunch at a local restaurant, the drive is spectacular with soaring mountains either side of us and the valley floor busy with all sorts of agriculture including mangoes, bananas, sugar and lychees.The drive will take around seven hours but we will have plenty of time to stop for photographs or to hopefully chat with the local Dai and Lisu people , the girls dressed in their traditional clothes very similar to the longyi we have seen in Burma . Here the farm houses look prosperous and well kept, with neat gardens and hedgerows. We arrive at Dali
Accommodation: The Asia Star Hotel The Old Town of Dali Yunnan, Ph- 86 872 2679999
Dali is home to the Bai people (over 1.3 million) and has a long history of civilization dating back some 1500 years. The Tang and Song dynasties made Dali the centre of politics, culture and economy for Yunnan before these responsibilities gradually moved to Kunming. The weather is spring like most of the year and the city itself is set in a valley by the shores of Lake Erhai. This morning we will visit the ancient village of Xizhou, a collection of stone houses once owned by wealthy merchants. We will walk through the streets visiting various homes and the local market. We will continue to the Three Pillar Pagoda, the main tower standing ten stories high and built during the Tang dynasty some 1500 years ago. Later two more towers were added of lesser size. The architecture is unusual (it’s called Dali style) and there is a museum with a fine collection of Buddha statues and carvings. This afternoon we will have an extended time in the Old Town of Dali, where ancient Chinese houses have been turned into shops, cafes and restaurants. The atmosphere is engaging and relaxed, the mountains soaring in the background.
Accommodation: The Asia Star Hotel The Old Town of Dali Yunnan, Ph- 86 872 2679999
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Last changed: Sunday September 28, 2008
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