Wandering Among the Clouds: A Graduation Trip as Beautiful as a Lovers' Reunion

Some places are destined to be visited at a certain age, only then taking root in your memory. For me, Yunnan is exactly that kind of place.

Time never waits. By the time I finally settled in front of my computer, trying to salvage with words the scattered light and laughter from the plateau, a full month had already passed since that trip. The 7 a.m. alarm, the punctual commute, the repetitive work—life flows like a calm river, and the memories of Yunnan are the smooth, translucent pebbles on the riverbed, occasionally illuminated by sunlight, tempting you to bend down and pick them up.

Some say Yunnan is too popular, so popular that it's scoffed at by seasoned travelers. But I've always believed this: reality is like a mountain, while Yunnan is as romantic as a cloud. Its gentle, soft core doesn't compete or fight for attention, yet it fills your heart with joy.

So, allow me to borrow a lotus-like moment of time to share with you this 13-day journey among the clouds.

Pre-Trip Preparations: About Us and This Journey

Let me first introduce my travel companions, who filled every moment of the trip with laughter:

• Xiao Yi: Nicknamed "Humor Yi" by a boy we met on the road. She has a naturally likable face, and even her own mother marvels at her beauty. Special skill: giving epic eye-rolls.
• Qin Qin: My childhood friend and longtime travel buddy, ever since our trip to "Huang Yao Ancient Town." This time she sported a middle-part hairstyle, making me miss her old bangs dearly. Special feature: elegant, giraffe-like posture.
• Fei Fei: A classic beauty who had countless romantic encounters along the way. Inside, she's an explosive rock 'n' roller, but the moment she's in front of a camera, she becomes calm, composed, and serious. Special feature: a short neck, yet so stunning that you forget everything else.
• Myself: The group's manager, responsible for all the nagging and reminders. I look like a soft girl on the outside, but inside, I'm as tough as a guy. Special feature: sturdy arms, capable of carrying luggage and weathering any storm.

Quick Practical Info:

• Destination: Yunnan
• Travel Dates: June 13, 2014, for a total of 13 days
• Cost per Person: Approximately 4,000 RMB (including round-trip train tickets)
• Travel Companions: Four friends, later upgraded to six

Detailed Itinerary:

Equipment & Post-Production: Camera: Canon 60D, Lens: 15-85mm. All post-processing was done with Meitu Xiuxiu (a popular photo-editing app)—you don't need Photoshop to get great shots. The watermark was handwritten in brush calligraphy, then digitized by a friend.

Kunming: First Glimpse of the Spring City, Lotus Leaves Stretching to the Horizon

The train arrived in Kunming at six in the morning. The wind was a bit chilly, but it couldn't blow away the anticipation in our hearts. After storing our luggage, we headed straight for Yunnan University.

Yunnan University: Quiet Campus Moments

In June, the bougainvillea at Yunnan University was in full bloom. Those purple-red flowers climbing the walls seemed to drape the century-old institution in a magnificent coat. We found a quiet corner on campus and took our first group photo of the trip—a mirror image capturing the smiles of four girls, freezing the beauty of the journey's beginning.

Green Lake Park: Morning by the Lotus Pond

It's only a five-minute walk from Yunnan University to Green Lake Park. In June, the lotus flowers were just beginning to bud. Though we didn't see the pond in full bloom, those buds hidden among the green leaves had a subtle, restrained beauty all their own.

I recalled a lotus pond I photographed back home: "Rain-kissed lotus fragrance, ripples spreading across the emerald water; a gentle breeze stirs the leaves, clear dew drips from the blooms." That elegant imagery perfectly matched the morning at Green Lake.

Railway Museum: Tracks of Time

After lunch, we visited the Yunnan Provincial Railway Museum. We had hoped to take some vintage photos on the old trains, but visitors weren't allowed inside, so we settled for the tracks. Still, the tracks themselves were an excellent photo spot—their extending lines and mottled rust told stories of their own.

Xiao Yi's photo on the tracks was a masterpiece; even her eye-roll looked captivating. As for me, I tried a creative shot: "Another Me in the World." I took two photos from the same angle—one of my back, one of my face—and merged them in post-production. The result was surprisingly good.

Lijiang: Slow Time at a Transit Hub

In the early morning, Lijiang's air was filled with a refreshing fragrance, like a beauty hiding her face, hesitant to speak.

We hadn't booked a guesthouse in Lijiang in advance because dragging our heavy luggage through the ancient town in search of accommodation wasn't a wise move. We ended up at "Zhumadian Inn," just outside the north gate. There was a Hunan restaurant downstairs, which won me over immediately. Seeing that we were four girls, the owner gave us a suite with two rooms and three beds for just 100 RMB a night—we felt like we'd hit the jackpot.

Qingxi Reservoir: Expectation vs. Reality

I'd seen photos of Qingxi Reservoir online, and they were breathtaking. But standing before it in person, I felt a little less impressed. Maybe it was the weather, or maybe my expectations were too high. Still, the grass and wildflowers by the reservoir were soothing, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass, with an occasional bird soaring overhead.

Dayan Ancient Town: Just Want to "Watch a Cloud All Day"

Before going to Lijiang, I'd made a long list of things I wanted to do: leave footprints on the cobblestone streets, make a wish in front of Dongba wind chimes, listen to folk music on Lion Mountain, hear the legends beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain... But when I actually arrived, all I wanted to do was "watch a cloud all day."

On the uneven stone paths, a profusion of flowers peeked over the mud-brick walls of Naxi homes. The melody of "Di Da" (a popular song) echoed through the streets and alleys, as if I had stepped into an ancient Nashi batik painting. Walking with Qin Qin, I imagined us decades later, as old ladies, still strolling together, shopping for groceries, playing mahjong—a lifetime felt like a single moment.

Lugu Lake: Close to Paradise, Near to the World

The drive from Lijiang to Lugu Lake was supposed to take five hours, but road construction stretched it to eight. Still, our spirits remained high—because the destination was worth every minute of waiting.

Daluoshui Village: Watching Over the Misty Lake

When we arrived at Lugu Lake at four in the afternoon, the green mountains and dark-tiled roofs were shrouded in mist. There was no azure sky as I had imagined, but the haziness added a poetic touch. In the cool weather, wrapped in thick shawls, we checked into "Shouwang Inn"—a wooden house by the water that cost less than 200 RMB a night (it's now skyrocketed to over 420 RMB).

We brewed a pot of tea and watched the clouds drift outside the window, merging with the mountains in a seamless embrace, freezing time. Lugu Lake is a poem that settles quietly in your heart.

The Lake Circuit: Beauty Even on a Cloudy Day

The next day, we began our tour around the lake. We had originally wanted to rent e-bikes or bicycles, but Fei Fei couldn't ride at all, and Qin Qin would jump off her bike whenever she saw oncoming traffic. With the winding mountain roads, we ended up renting a car. Luckily, we met two other girls heading the same way and shared a car for 240 RMB.

Lige Observation Deck: Lige Peninsula floated quietly on the still lake, standing in a poised posture shaped by time. There, we met the kind older sister who had stayed at "Shouwang" the night before and took a photo together.

Lovers' Beach: The lake water gently lapped the shore, and the breeze smelled of orchids. Standing by the lake, I just wanted to say, "Oh, so here you are."

Zouhun Bridge (The "Walking Marriage" Bridge): Even under a gloomy, overcast sky, it was beautiful. The shimmering water, the fishing boats—I was intoxicated by this serene, quiet elegance.

Lugu Lake in Sunshine: Finally, You Arrived

On the third day at Lugu Lake, the sky finally cleared. Mountains reflected in the water, the sky merged with the lake, and blue skies and white clouds were mirrored in the depths. Standing by the shore, with the wind gently blowing and the sound of waves lapping, occasionally accompanied by the clear singing of a Mosuo woman on a pig-trough boat—this was the Lugu Lake I had imagined.

What surprised me most were the white flowers floating on the surface: "shuǐ xìng yáng huā" (water snowflake, a type of aquatic plant). Only in water untouched by pollution can such clean blooms appear, drifting and swaying in the breeze, showing off their beauty.

From Daluoshui to Lige: Hiking and Serendipity

That day, we decided to hike from Daluoshui to Lige. We had left most of our luggage at the guesthouse in Lijiang, carrying only one small suitcase and a backpack. The four of us took turns carrying the load, and it didn't feel tiring. Singing little songs, walking alongside green mountains and blue waters—even now, thinking about it feels wonderful.

When we had covered less than a fifth of the distance, a Mosuo man's minivan stopped and offered us a ride to Lige for 20 RMB. Inside the van, the driver's spontaneous singing carried the woody fragrance of centuries-old traditions.

Lige: The Start of a Six-Person Adventure

At "Suimengyuan Inn" in Lige, we met two guys from Sichuan—Xiao Ming and Xiao Hong. They had only planned to visit Lugu Lake, but after meeting us, they joined the rest of our trip. Our four-person group became six.

That afternoon, the six of us learned to play a card game called "Gan Deng Yan" (a Chinese version of Uno), then headed out to explore Lige under the sun. The beautiful "Wucai Lige Inn" looked especially enchanting in the sunset. We rented a pig-trough boat for 15 RMB for two people and gently rowed across the lake. Sitting in the boat felt like floating on a lotus leaf.

At night, moonlight poured over Lugu Lake. Without the skill to photograph the stars, I could only record them with my eyes and heart—gazing at the sky as much as possible, listening intently to the gentle rhythm of the lake lapping against the shore in the quiet village, feeling as if nature was embracing me tenderly.

Shangri-La: The Sun and Moon in My Heart

From Lijiang Bus Station to Shangri-La, the ride took about three hours and cost 69 RMB. We had arranged in advance for a driver recommended by a friend, Brother Nima (the name sounded a bit funny, and I felt awkward calling it, so I just called him "Big Brother"). He picked us up right outside the bus station and took us to our accommodation.

Songzanlin Monastery: Circling Mountains, Water, and Stupas

Adult tickets to Songzanlin Monastery cost 115 RMB, student tickets 75 RMB. Important note: Women are not allowed to enter wearing clothing that doesn't cover the knees, so wear long skirts or pants.

From a distance, the temples and monks' quarters, with their white walls and red roofs built into the mountain, looked just like the Potala Palace. The sky was as blue as a lake, and white clouds, like sacred lotuses, bloomed one after another in the serene blue.

Inside the main hall, it was dim. Dozens of butter lamps burned quietly, filling the air with the scent of yak butter and Tibetan incense. Rows of cushions and low couches stretched out neatly—the monks' meditation seats. I slowed my steps, walking through the flickering corridors, enveloped by incense and surrounded by butter lamps, gradually losing my sense of time.

I ran into a few tourists who had just come out of the monastery, and suddenly I felt as if I was standing on the streets of Lhasa. I recalled Tsangyang Gyatso's poem: "Living in the Potala, I am the greatest king of the snowy land. Wandering the streets of Lhasa, I am the most handsome lover in the world." I couldn't help but smile.

Dukezong Ancient Town: The Lost Castle

Dukezong is known as the "Moonlight City." But a massive fire had razed it to the ground. The prayer wheel still turns day and night, blessing this small town, but we can no longer see the castle as it once was—some places, if we don't go now, we may never get the chance to see them again.

On Turtle Mountain Park, the world's largest prayer wheel gleamed under the sun, reaching into the clouds. Together, we turned the wheel, and the hum it emitted sounded like a divine call, echoing through the quiet ancient town on the breeze. At that moment, I felt as if I could truly hear the heartbeat of the prayer wheel.

Dinner was at the home of our driver's friend, a genuine Tibetan household. The chicken soup was incredibly flavorful, and the butter tea had a strange but not unpleasant taste. After dinner, our driver took us to the Tanchang Square to dance. Hundreds of people formed a circle, listening to Tibetan songs, dancing and waving our arms. Xiao Ming danced with complete abandon, while I had a "self-destructive" photo taken of me with my shawl tied around my waist—but people on a journey are more likely to show their true selves.

Potatso National Park: Half a Lake of Green Mountains, Half a Lake of Water

Potatso is 24 kilometers from Shangri-La town, about a 40-minute drive. Adult tickets cost 258 RMB, student tickets 189 RMB, and renting a down jacket costs 50 RMB. The weather is unpredictable, so bring an umbrella.

"Potatso" means "to ferry all beings to happiness," and "cuo" means lake in Tibetan. We went at the wrong time; even in June, we had to rent down jackets to brave the mountains. But even the bad weather couldn't diminish its beauty—lush green waves and majestic blue peaks surged toward us like mist, mountains rising by the lake, their reflections mirrored in the water, perfectly capturing "half a lake of green mountains, half a lake of water."

The little squirrels along the Shudu Lake boardwalk were incredibly cute, making you want to get close to them.

Epilogue: Never, Never Say Goodbye

This trip ended at Erhai Lake in Dali, ended on the train ride home. As the train sped through the night, the villages, mountains, and forests outside the window all rushed past. Suddenly, I remembered a line by writer Xue Xiaochun: "I took the night train to see you, just for a reunion, and then to leave again."

This was a journey that had to end, even if I wanted to stay. But those days among the clouds—the slow time in Lijiang, the clarity of Lugu Lake, the devotion of Shangri-La, the wind, flowers, snow, and moon of Dali—have all settled deep in my memory, becoming irreplaceable scenery in my life.

If you want to go to Yunnan, remember this:

1. Plan ahead but leave room: Book accommodation and transportation in advance, but don't over-schedule. Leave space for serendipity.
2. Watch for altitude sickness: Shangri-La is at a high altitude. Consider preparing some Rhodiola rosea in advance.
3. Respect local culture: When entering temples and other religious sites, pay attention to dress code and etiquette.
4. Bring a good mood: The most beautiful scenery is often not the destination, but the mood along the way and the people you meet.

May we all, among the clouds, unexpectedly meet our best selves. As beautiful as a lovers' reunion.