Kunming, China

Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan province in southwestern China, earns its moniker as the "City of Eternal Spring" owing to its consistently mild climate, making it a favored destination for tourists both domestic and international. Here's a glimpse into some intriguing facets I encountered during my visit:

Abundance of Gardens and Parks: Kunming boasts numerous gardens and parks, offering a perennial display of vibrant flowers, most of them are accessible to the public free of charge.

Senior-Friendly Public Transportation: Kunming's public transport system, particularly its buses, caters to the elderly populace, with free rides for individuals aged 60 and above, contributing to the city's allure as a retiree haven. Meanwhile, the metro and private vehicles remain popular among the working demographic.

Ubiquitous Electric Motorbikes: The cityscape is dotted with electric motorbikes, favored for their ease of parking and environmental friendliness, emitting none of the noise associated with traditional gasoline-powered counterparts.

Everywhere you go, you have public sharing e-bikes available for your convivences as well.

Digital Economy: Kunming's residents conduct a significant portion of their transactions via smartphone, utilizing the ubiquitous WeChat app for payments, even for purchases as modest as 1 yuan. This digital convenience extends to street vendors, seamlessly integrating technology into daily commerce.

Convenience Galore: I stayed near Yunnan University where it offers a convenience-laden landscape catering to students' needs, with a plethora of street food options, and readily accessible stores stocking everything from daily essentials to cutting-edge technology gadgets like computers, printers, and cameras.

Enhanced Safety Measures: Kunming prioritizes safety with an extensive network of surveillance cameras, contributing to its reputation as one of the safest locales to reside in.

Internet Landscape: Notably, Kunming diverges from the Western norm in terms of internet access, with platforms like Google and Yahoo inaccessible. Instead, Baidu serves as the predominant search engine, reflecting the distinctive digital ecosystem prevalent in China.

Fast Delivery System: Kunming boasts an efficient delivery network where a simple phone call ensures hot meals at your doorstep within 5 minutes. Additionally, groceries can be delivered within an hour of placing your order, offering unparalleled convenience to residents and visitors alike.

The Siberian Seagulls: Each year, the Siberian seagulls migrate to Kunming to spend their winter months. Their presence at the parks, especially those with water features, brings immense joy to the local residents.  

Oriental Buddha Park (东方佛都)

Oriental Buddha Park is a cultural theme park in Leshan, China featuring reproductions of Buddhist statues and buddhis themed carvings made from stone, rock and other materials.

Here are some of Buddhists in the park.  The other side of the mountain is where the famous Giant Buddha lays.  It is in a separated section.  It was use to be in the part of the park but now it is separated from the rest of the park, so that the local government can collect the entrance fee twice.

Leshan Giant Buddha

I thought the national park where the buddha was located would offer other things to see besides the buddha but by the time we entered the park, we found out the entire park consists of a trial that was built around the buddha, so you go on the trail to see the different faces of Buddha at different locations.

The trail was completely packed with visitors.  Once you get on it, you could not get out of it.  You need to move forward because it was packed elbow to elbow.  It was a hot and humid day. Every body sweated heavily and smell bad!   However, every one on the trail had the same thing in mind as I did that is to see the Buddha no matter what!

So, here are the photos taken on  different parts of the trail and the face of  different side of this giant Buddha!

Chongqing at Night

Due to its distinctive geography, Chongqing has gained recognition both within China and internationally for its captivating night scenes. The city is nestled alongside Xiaobashan Mountain, where two rivers converge at its base. Several noteworthy locations offer splendid views of Chongqing at night, including Hongyadong, the Jiefangbai business district, the Yangtze River cableway, the Nanshan Hill viewing deck, and the Kansheng Pavilion (also known as Liangjiang Pavilion) in Eling Park.

The photographs featured here were captured at Hongyadong, an exceptional spot that offers a panoramic view of Dongshuimen Bridge, towering complexes on the opposite side of the river, and the renowned Diaojiao building complex. These stilted structures house numerous souvenir shops, coffee houses, bars, and restaurants, making it the perfect place to savor a meal or drinks while relishing the breathtaking scenery.

How Pretty is WuLong's Mountain, Water and Girls!