Lijiang and Tiger Leaping Gorge - Mar 4, 2009

Not the best sleeper bus (I think we are forever fated with them) meant a rubbish nights sleep and an earlier than realised arrival in Lijiang at 6am, but you are allowed to sleep on the bus til 7am. Two lovely chinese girls, Peggy and Leah, helped us and took us with them to their hostel, in a v small car so it was very cosy. Just as well cos it was so dark, and cars aren't allowed in the old town.

They found us another place to stay, in a lovely courtyard and we just crashed for a couple of hours.

A walk around the town later revealed its delights - it's absolutely gorgeous. All cobbled streets, streams, wooden houses and very very chinese. Full of shops (silver ones too, oh dear!) and two lovely big squares where locals dance, tibetan horsemen stand around and lots and lots of people in different costumes. We booked our trip to Tiger Leaping Gorge for tomorrow and did our usual of finding food. Plus, the extra surprise was an electric blankie for the bed - fabulous!

5 March

And was that blankie needed? Oh yes, even colder here than other parts of China - just as well we had invested in North Fake coats, hat and mittens. Our tour to the gorge was with other chinese people and a guide who only spoke 2/3 words, but it didn't matter. They looked after us very well. The gorge is an impressive sight - even though the weather was not the best today - and worth the hectic bus ride. It had been tinkered with by man, obviously, which does detract a little, but still a sight worth seeing.

Back to Lijiang for a sleeper bus back - but this time we have upgraded - oh yes, for 3 pounds more there will be a toilet!!