Beijing, Yunnan 2016 (1) - To Jian Shui

The day we were supposed to fly to Kunming, the smog was so bad that hundreds of flights were cancelled at Beijing airport. Our flight was one of the few flights that departed relatively on time.

1. Rental company we used at Kunming airport.

It took forever for us to get the car (they washed the car just before giving it to you) and there was hardly any gas in it. They said you could return it with as much gas in it as you get it. The problems are: 1) we had to find a gas station immediately. 2) Who would fill gas so carefully that we would have just enough gas to drive back to the airport later? So of course we ended up returning the car with much more gas in it than we got it. After us complaining about it, they acknowledged it: yes, other customers complained about it too. They had reported it to the management but hadn't heard back any changes needed from them. But they agreed to waive the extra 2 hours charges we had on the car.

Driving in China is different to say the least. You definitely need to use a navigation app, not only to tell you which road to take (although sometimes you have to ignore it because it tells you to take some shortcut that doesn't make sense), but also to warn you the millions of speeding cameras that are in place all over China. The rental company withheld 2000 RMB (~$288) from us for potential speeding fines. They would return the money only after all potential speeding tickets on the car are paid which could take a week after the car is returned.

2. Our hotel in Jian Shui which is a few hours' drive from Kunming airport. To reach the hotel, we had to call the hotel and asked how to get there since the navigation app put us into an alley that we could not drive through.

3. Our hotel in Jian Shui.

4. Our hotel in Jian Shui.

5. Our hotel in Jian Shui.

6. Our hotel in Jian Shui.

7. Our hotel in Jian Shui.

8. My first meal in Yunnan. It was so delicious and different than Beijing dishes!

9. The white vegetable is called Cao3 Ya2. It is only available in Jian Shui, Yunnan Province.

10. Steam pot chicken, a classic Yunnan dish.

11. Jian Shui Tofu, a special Tofu dish only available in Yunnan, especially in Jian Shui region.

12. Inside the restaurant where we ate.

13. Outside the restaurant where we ate.

14. Jian Shui old town.

15. Jian Shui old town.

16. Jian Shui old town.

17. Jian Shui old town.

18. Jian Shui old town.

19. Jian Shui old town.

20. Statues showing people roasting and eating Jian Shui Tofu in the old days.

21. Jian Shui is also known for its pottery.

(To be continued)