Ch 23: Paradise City

We arrived in Kunming, Yunnan province on July 20th. The 19 hour train ride over was on a hard sitter (no beds). The views as we entered Yunnan were amazing. Rivers running through green vallies surrounded by beautiful mountains. I knew we were in for a treat. Kunming did not disappoint.

Yunnan means "South of the Clouds" and the city itself is a couple thousand feet above sea level. Situated with mountains to the west, a large inland sea (Lake Dian), and rolling hills to the east, Kunming is one of China's great cities. The weather is perfect year round as it is always spring. The city itself is the cleanest I've seen in China.

We spend our first day eating at a Local joint known for their "Across the Bridge Noodles (Qiao Xiang Yuan). Combined with the side dishes of pigs blood, salted fried pork, spicy tofu and crispy tofu (can you tell I like pig?), it was heaven on a dining table. And a great price as the city is also one of the most affordable places to live in China (many locals tell me this). Evening faded into nightime at a tea house along Cuihu park. Locals danced in the open areas of the park, couples walked along the shores of the parks 4 lakes, and children ran along sometimes dancing with the older folks sometimes playing with each other. Everyone was happy. And why shouldn't they be? They live in Paradise City.