I'll be spending a week in Kunming. Does any one have any suggestions for architectural or landscape photography nearby?
Thanks,
Kumar
I'll be spending a week in Kunming. Does any one have any suggestions for architectural or landscape photography nearby?
Thanks,
Kumar
The most visited site in Yunan province is the Stone Pillars, located about 75 miles from Kunming. The limestone pillars are really spectacular. The place is so popular that certain spots often get clogged with tour groups.
Not so far away from Kunming is Tiger Leaping Gorge, accessible for hikes of a day or so.
Kunming itself is a very attractive city, with a provincial museum well worth a visit, a bird and flower market, and an interesting Muslim quarter.
Sandy King
Thanks, Sandy.
Kumar
Leadping Tiger gorge is pretty cool along with the 'villiage' of Li Jiang. Granted, its been built up to that crapp touristy level that China does so well but there are some little gems in there once you wander away from the main areas.
Thanks for the tip, Hollis.
My wife will be attending a conference, while I do some wandering around. There's a one-day sight-seeing trip in the schedule that will take care of all the touristy stuff
Kumar
Find a cheap place near a school that sells spinach dumplings. They are my strongest and best memory of a short trip eight years ago. Delicious.
The Stone Forest is fun, and photogenic.
Will try them. Thanks.
The Stone Forest can be visited as a day trip from Kunming. When I was there, a special tourist train trip was available to take you out and back.
On the way to the Stone Forest, the terrain we passed through was some gorgeous red-earth farming regions. I am not sure how you would get out there for photography, though. Maybe hire a driver....
I did not go to Lijiang, but I do not think it is a day trip.
I recently watched the Zhang Yimou-directed movie "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles", which was set in Yunnan Province, much of it in Lijiang. Part of the film featured a landscape which was very similar to Bryce Canyon, Utah. However, I have no idea where this place is located, or if it is near Kunming.
I also took the train that Michael mentions in 2002. On the other hand, the trip to Dali (on the way to Lijiang) was an overnight train, and the Tiger Leaping Gorge is further yet.
You are right. I erred in suggesting that Tiger Leaping Gorge is a day trip from Kunming. Tiger Leaping George is actually on the other side of Lijiang going toward Shangri-la, which is in the very far north west of Yunan province on the Tibetan plateau and not far from Tibet itself.
You have a good memory from 2002. I just made the trip this year in September and am already confused and giving bad advice!!
But, as others have suggested, Yunan province is incredibly beautiful.
Sandy King
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