Lijiang

Just a forty minute flight from Kunming to Lijiang, Lijiang really surpassed all expectations. Cars are completely banned in the old town making it a quiet place to visit filled with beautiful architecture, canals and shops. The weather has been cool but fine. Yesterday we took a big walk around the narrow streets, sat in canal side cafes relaxing and looked in the shops, etc. A few interesting encounters with Chinese people wanting an opportunity to practice their English. Today we walked over to Black Dragon Park, which has quite a few pagodas and a lake. Scott had an old book with him by a Russian who lived in Lijiang in the 1940s so we were trying to identify some sites. We hired a rowboat and floated around the lake for an hour in the sun. WE pulled over to the side of the lake to chat to a group of Chinese businessmen and then some old Naxi ladies came over and we showed them the old pictures of the area. They seemed quite interested but I think they must have been speaking Naxi because I couldn't understand a word they said. We are going to see a Naxi classical music concert tonight. Tomorrow we are catching an early bus into Ninglang and across to Lugu lake.

By the way, so far I have been able to post blogs but not actually read my own blogspot (and any comments) so it might be worthwhile emailing them to me also. Something to do with internet here!

Laura and Scott