Crossing the bridge noodles

Kunming is famous for its crossing the bridge noodles. There are restaurants that serve various version of this dish. The history is that there was this Chinese housewife who needed to bring food to her husband who has been sequestered on a little island because he wants to study for the imperial exams. By the time she crossed the bridge to get to her husband the food has grown cold. She later learned that if she put a layer of oil on top of the soup, it stays steaming hot for a long time. She can then cut the meat and vegetables into a very thin slices and with the hot soup, they'll cook when she mixes them in the presence of her husband. This way her husband was able to eat hot food. So here at this restaurant I ordered crossing the bridge noodles. They brought the steaming hot soup with a layer of oil on top. Then she mixed in the thinly sliced meat and vegetables and the noodles. Then, viola, I am eating crossing the bridge noodles.

Crossing the bridge noodles.

Beef with chili, a Sichuan dish.

Stir fried lettuce with chili. This was a great dinner and cost me 168 Yuan which is expensive for Chinese food but then I was eating in a fancy restaurant. It was a lot of food. The next time I ate I ordered one dish and plain rice, that cost me 43 Yuan, much cheaper. I had soupy noodles for lunch for 7 Yuan ($1.10). The cost of living in China is much cheaper compared with the USA and it is just so wonderful. I hope it remains like this for a long time.

Some western influence

The French Legation building, according to the guidebooks, 'you can't miss it, it's the most colorful building in Kunming. When I came upon it, I knew what it was. I think it is now a restaurant, I'm not sure. It was right next to the North entrance of Green Lake park.

A little European style cafe, this and many are popping up all over Kunming. There's a small chain of restaurants called, 'Mamafu' all over Kunming that serves both Chinese and Western food, with desserts like Cheesecake and gelato.

There's this European bakery where I spent a lot of my money everyday in Kunming. I needed a Western dessert everyday and a snack at night. It's pretty good.

One can't get away from these images wherever in the world we go. My first hotel in Kunming was pretty central and in a thoroughly modern development. I come down stairs to things like this, huge malls and American fast food chains. It's like never leaving home. Guess what? I did eat here once.

East meet West right smack in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province.

The old is there in the mix.

These are 'Hui' or Muslims. They are really Chinese, descendants of the Silk Road who has intermarry with local Han Chinese but still retained their Muslim faith. They are not Uighur. The 'Hui' speak Mandarin whereas Uighur don't.

A 24 hour McDonald's. Wow!

A thoroughly modern Kunming.

Tourism has brought in a lot of wealth. The airport in Kunming has flights to all major cities in China and Hong Kong is only a 2 hour flight away. There are flights from Kunming to some of the major cities in Asia. The majority of the tourists are from Asia, Taiwan, HongKong and other parts of China. There's just a sprinkle of Western tourists. While not speaking Mandarin may not be a hindrance in Beijing and Shanghai, it is definitely a problem here. Some survival Mandarin is needed especially for the independent traveler, or else you have to come with a tour group. I have trouble sometimes because all I speak is survival Mandarin. I met a girl from Spain traveling on her own. She spoke no Mandarin and she's been in China for 3 months and have managed.

Green Lake, Kunming, China

My first full day in Kunming has not ended even after being in the countryside most of that day and a little stop to the temple, Yuantong Si. I started to walk away from the temple, ambling and not knowing where to and I came on this lake. I found Green Lake, it is actually a huge park, with Lily ponds and Lotus ponds, lots of Chinese pavilions and gardens. It looked like the whole of Kunming was assembled in this huge park. Indeed it is how the city folks spend their Sunday afternoons, hanging out at Green Lake park. It was a lot of fun, some were dressed in their minority customes. In every nook and cranny little musical groups gathered to sing and other groups gathered to dance. It was so crowded but still very enjoyable. It is like a Disneyland except there were no rides and the entry was free and anyone can participate in the group dancing though there were some ethnic dance troupes exhibiting their art for everyone. No one was shy and everyone seems to be having a lot of fun.

A minority in full regalia.

Here is a group tuning up to perform.

They are ready and this old guy started singing a Chinese ballad. There was no hat for donations, they just did it because they liked it.

Another group is getting ready.

I joined this group of photographers in taking pictures of the lotus blossom. Some of them have serious equipment. I didn't bring my telephoto lens so I was limited.

Lotus blossom

The Lily pond.

Chinese willow tree.

Here is the group dance, the music played and everyone danced in a circle. I kept following this lady in the colorful costume with my camera. She looked so delightful.

She looked so happy, oblivious to the ogling crowd and the lady with the camera.

Another minority in her costume. It was a lot of fun to watch.

This lady was standing next to me and the dancers kept persuading her to join in but she stayed on the sideline.

A Chinese musical instrument.

Another minority

This tall guy was giving free Cha cha lessons but unfortunately there was a cloudburst and all of us ran for cover.

What a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It is a fun way for friends to get together and jam. It was a full and fun filled day for me too.