Review: Exploring Dali and Kunming – A Long Journey Worth Taking
Just a heads-up: This is my personal experience from the trip, so if your experience differs, that's totally okay!
1. Getting There – An Epic Journey
Let me be real: this tour felt like running a marathon. I flew from Da Nang to Hanoi, then took a bus from Hanoi to the Lao Cai border. After customs, it was onto a high-speed train for over 10 hours to reach Kunming. Sounds exhausting, right? But China's high-speed rail is seriously impressive! The ride was so smooth, I barely felt like I was moving. Even though it was tiring, I could relax and even sleep soundly on the train!
2. Food Adventures
As someone who's lived in Vietnam for over 30 years, I'm used to light, less oily food. So, encountering the spicy and oily dishes of Chinese cuisine was a bit of a culture shock 😅. However, a huge plus was that our tour guide and company were incredibly thoughtful. They constantly checked in with us and got feedback to adjust the food to our preferences. Even though I wasn't completely used to the food, I appreciated their care and effort, which made me happy.
3. Scenic Beauty – Kunming: The "Da Lat" of China?
The weather in Kunming and Dali is cool and pleasant, very similar to Da Lat. The scenery is beautiful, the air is fresh, and there's an abundance of fruit. Every meal included at least two types of boiled vegetables – a lifesaver for those who aren't used to Chinese food. The vegetables were fresh and delicious. If you can get past the long journey, this is a destination well worth experiencing.
4. The Dream Team
Traveling on tour without speaking Chinese can be a bit worrying, but thankfully, the tour guide team was amazing. The driver, the Vietnamese tour guide, and the local guide were all enthusiastic, kind, and supportive. Thanks to them, I learned more about Chinese culture and customs through their fun and engaging stories. And the accommodations were fantastic – warm blankets, soft mattresses, and chilly weather made for such a good night's sleep that I didn't even want to leave to explore 😴.
5. Final Thoughts – Travel for Experience, Not Comparison
I'll always remember what our tour guide said: "There are three types of travel: spiritual, relaxation, and experiential." And this trip was definitely experiential. I went to learn more about Chinese culture, food, and lifestyle. Experiential travel means accepting differences and not expecting things to be exactly like home.
So, if you're considering a tour like this, be clear about what you want: relaxation, spiritual exploration, or cultural immersion. That way, you won't end up disappointed if your expectations don't match reality, and you won't regret the time or money spent.
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