Day 37 - Busing between the Ancient Cities

We spent the morning eating breakfast, relaxing and packing for our move to Lijiang's Ancient City. We got escorted to the bus by one of the staff at the hostel and spent the next 4 hours wedged into a very small and cramped mini-van. Adam sat next to Vic and Mark, 2 travelling English teachers in a similar position as us, and was able to get lots of very helpful advice about living and working in China.

We arrived in Lijiang's New Town, which surrounds the Ancient City, creating a captivating contrast - especially when you have a view of both one exisitng inside the other.

We did the necessity of finding a hostel and then adventured out into the crazy bustling cobbled streets - along with thousands of other tourists. Despite the hectic atmosphere it was wonderful walking the streets and stolling across the canals that run through the city.

We wandered through the old market square (Sifang Jie) batlling the crowds to find somewhere for dinner where we tried two of the local delicacies - one a delicious sweet Baba bread (sort of like a thick pastry pancake filled with caramalised sugar). The other 'delicacy', which even Adam left some remaining, was a grey, jelly-like piece of something fried slightly and in a vinegar sauce - mmm mmmm? Luckily we had also ordered some rice and veges!

After refuelling we headed up behind the old town to a local monastery - Wenchang Palace - where we were treated to an experience with the "Temple Master" who enlightened us by telling us both that we were beautiful and that the fact we were both born in the year of the pig was 'very very good' - especially in monetary terms. We participated in our our personal wish ceremony with the Master, leaving a wish tablet bearing our names at the front of the altar. One interesting fact about this temple is that it is a temple that integrates Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.

We wandered up another path headed behind town where we found a cute little cafe with a roof-top bar where we enjoyed spectacular city views and watched the town slowly light up as night fell. Adam enjoyed his beer (surprise surprise) and Liv managed to get a carrot and apple juice just like Pops used to make!

Afterwards we enjoyed walking the night streets of the old town, enjoying the public dancing, singing and traditional music shows in the square. It was beautiful to see lotus flower lanterns floating down the canals. The Ancient Town is so amazing it is difficult to know where to look - the streets themselves are stunning, especially at night when hundreds of Chinese lanterns cast their light onto the street. The town is also surrounded by mountains - the most famous being the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which soars to 5500m high, towering over the city.

Our eyes exhausted, it was time to head to bed ...

Adlibing it, like the ancient times.