I’ve not blogged for that long, but I have traveled, and I want to start sharing some special photos and stories from the pre-Simplicity Relished days. There probably aren’t enough photos to turn this into a series, but I hope you enjoy!
It’s hard to characterize China with a single word. It is such a dynamic, diverse, challenging, and ancient place, which is also rapidly developing in seemingly unhindered ways. When we visited China back in the winter of 2011/2012, we were unsure of what to expect. Flying straight into Yunnan Province, in the southwest region that borders Myanmar and Laos, we knew we would have a very focused, intimate experience. But we were not prepared for the stunning natural beauty of the entire region. It was awe-inspiring.
Yunnan is a place of myth. Lijiang is a romantic old city that has, thankfully, been restored and maintained for visitors to enjoy. It is every poet’s dream to live and write in this region, or so I’ve been told, because it is somehow reminiscent of a golden age– an era that preceded the Revolution and the rapid industrialization of what we now know as China.
Speaking of industry, it is difficult to even discuss the global economy without mentioning China. However, those who have been anywhere outside of Beijing, Shanghai or Shenzhen are aware that not all of China is an industrial force of nature. There are farms here. There are people who live off the land and local tourism. There are craftsmen and artists. And monks.
What I loved about Yunnan is that it seems to capture that China– the China that is not represented by economic superpower and ubiquitous exports. Yes, those realities have seeped in throughout the entire country, but there remains something old and beautiful, almost mythical, about China that will not be worn away by the weight of prosperity.
I suppose I can be a bit sentimental when it comes to the Old China. Perhaps it’s just a place in my imagination the same way the yeoman farm was a place in Thomas Jefferson’s mind, but I harken back to it when I look upon our world today. Can’t we all just sit by the river and write poetry, eat local hot peppers and contemplate life?
Anyway, there it is. I don’t think I’m fit to write a travel guide to this region, but I will tell you that there is a ton to see. And if it’s the Old China you’re looking for, then Yunnan is a place you will not want to miss.
Have you been to China? Where did you go? I’d love to know!
P.S. Thanks to my amazing husband who took most of these shots– this was before my photography days, too!
Yes!! I hope you make it to Yunnan sometime. It’s a bit tough to navigate– we went with a tour guide– but totally lovely!
As I have mentioned before: This place looks so incredible! There is just so much to discover in China and I am glad that I have family there and therefore have an excuse to visit often! 😉 And just how adorable are those cows?! 🙂
Thanks Stefanie! That’s so kind of you. 🙂
Your blog is absolutely stunning, lovely photography, excited to see more (:
Stefanie | Casualllyawkward | Bloglovin’
Ah thanks lady!! That’s exactly what I try to do– and we take it slow, instead of rushing from sight to sight!
Bravo to your hubby! These pictures are amazing! And you are my traveling soul sister. 🙂 I, too, imagine things as they used to be when I travel. I seek feelings and experiences, and I try to grasp the intangible about each place. I love how you have described a similar approach to your travels here using beautiful language. Thank you for sharing! <3
Oh, you would love it. This area is absolutely breathtaking and surprising– and there is so much more in this region than we were able to explore. Definitely one of the most scenic places in China!
Thank you so much Brooke!
Hehe, I have the same Taiwanese bias 😉
Breathtaking. Now I finally know where to go when I visit China — give me some hot peppers and a notebook and I’ll just dream by that stream all day. What an absolutely stunning part of the world I had no idea existed — thank you so much for transporting me just for a bit away from my quiet home to this magical world!
xo
http://www.threadandbones.com
Wow!! Stunning photography and such a stunning place. I’ve never been to China, but would love to visit one day.
Brooke pumps and push-ups
Oh and my husband’s not a pro– but I agree, he’s really good at photography! 🙂 I’m trying to get better vicariously through him!
Yes!! My mom has been to Yellow Mountain and said it was just breathtaking. And I know what you mean about meeting warm generous people, I didn’t expect to see that in China either. My family is Taiwanese and I’ve always felt that people in Taiwan had a much warmer disposition. The hospitality and well-wishes of people in Yunnan was really wonderful to experience!
Thank you so much! It’s an amazing place!
Wow I’m SO glad you shared these!! Is your husband a professional photographer?? Because he should be! I’ve been to China twice, and while one of the most beautiful places was “Yellow Mountain” I really enjoyed my time in a little village called Ping Le. At first glance there doesn’t seem anything special about it, and the village is not particularly pretty, but it was the first time I encountered such warm, generous people in China (and I think it’s ok for me to say that since I’m Chinese!). It’s really changed my perception of the Chinese.
Stunning photos, been wanting to visit China for awhile now. There is so much to see and explore. Definitely adding this place to the list!
http://www.mintnotion.com
Thank you Joy! And it is so neat that you homeschool! I’ve been thinking about doing that when we have children in the future. I hope you make it back to China one day– it’s not always the easiest to navigate, but in my opinion a really fascinating place worth visiting.
Those are incredible pictures! I went to China as a very young girl, but I don’t remember much. I’ve been reading about it while teaching my kids History (we homeschool), and I think it would be interesting to go again. This post makes the idea even more intriguing!
Thanks so much Shannon!! Yes, it was really surprising!
haha yes right! It’s incredible.
Thanks Rachel! I don’t remember the name of the cave exactly, but it’s a whole “park” that’s accessible from Kunming. It was a drive, but totally worth it. We also went in the winter on a really rainy cold day, which meant we were the only ones there! Strange for China…
These pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I definitely did not realize China was like that, at. all. It looks absolutely amazing and definitely a place worth having on the bucket list.
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
One ticket to the Yunnan Province please! I’m not big on city travel, but this region I could spend some serious time in …
These are such gorgeous shots! What cave was that? I’m particularly partial to caves–they’re my favorite natural wonder. The place Angel wants to go most in Yunnan is Shi Lin, but I don’t know whether we’ll be able to make it over there or not.
Thank you so much Heidi! 🙂
Ah thanks Brittany!! That mountain was stunning– we went up it and it was sooooo cold! haha.
Thank you so much Kristen!! Yes, there is so much that is really surprising about China– the landscape and the architecture. Hope you make it there someday!
Oh thanks for sharing the website Joanna!! And I hope you make it to China sometime, definitely worth visiting!
Thank you so much Shireen!! The place was so photogenic. And I’m sure you would love Yunnan, it’s really worth a trip.
I’ve heard great things about Gansu! And yes to the clear fresh air!
Ahh! You would love this place! It can be a bit of a challenge to navigate but so worth it. I love that there are pockets like this that preserve China as it was hundreds of years ago.
Thank you so much, Kerrie! The place was really quite photogenic.
And I’m sorry to hear about Disqus not loading– I’ve heard it happens sometimes. I think sometimes you just have to refresh the page a few times, but I’ve had that issue with other blogs too.
Thank you so much!! Yes, but I promise those are the real colors! 🙂 That morning light was incredible!
It is so amazing, you would love it! I do have to say that the towns are busy and not always “serene” but it’s still worth seeing! xoxo
Hehe the cows were SO cute!! You will love the whole area, it’s really incredible!
Thanks Amanda!! It was really incredible!
Thank you Renee!
Wow, these photos are amazing and capture a side of China I have never seen! Thank you for sharing Daisy!
Heidi
http://www.wishesandreality.com
These photos are gorgeous! I’m still drooling over the mountains in the background of the first shot. This is definitely what I picture when I think of classic China
These pictures are stunning! I’ll admit when I think of China, I think of either the Great Wall or a really populated city. I’ve never really seen such pretty pictures of the countryside, and now I really want to visit!!
-Kristen
http://www.pugsandpearls.com
Wow! Those photos are amazing! I have never been to China but I would love to go someday! Some of our friends are in the Xinjiang region and he has been blogging about travel to China for a few years now. Here is his site if you are interested! http://www.farwestchina.com/
First of all, the photography in this post is absolutely stunning, honestly am a huge fan of it! And I have been to China and on both occasions it’s to Shenzhen. I have heard many great things about Yunnan and I hope to visit one day. xx
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
I loved Western China! I only had time to go to Kunming, so the rest of Yunnan is definitely on my list. My last hurrah in China was spent wandering around Gansu province and it was glorious – such a nice change from the polluted eastern cities.
I can’t tell you how high on my bucket list this is. I have a love for all things old, vintage, ancient even. History is just such a beautiful thing to me. I love visiting landmarks, places where amazing things happened. I feel like China is very much stuck (in a good way) in this ancient place. Everything looks classic, less modernized, which is refreshing on it’s own. Thank you for sharing these memories with us! (:
http://www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com
These photos are breathtaking! They show the unique beauty of this country and are so artistic – incredibly happy and thankful you shared them. Of course now I have even greater wanderlust than before though…
By the way, I’m not sure why but this is one of the first days I’ve been able to comment – this little box thang just wouldn’t load for me! SOB!
K.xo
http://www.rarelytakenseriously.com
Absolutely gorgeous! These pictures cause me to pine for the countryside and quiet! I love that first picture–it almost doesn’t look real!
I’ve never been to China, it is on my “go to” list, and after this post, it has been bumped up! These photographs are amazing Daisy, it just seem so serine, I don’t think I could ever be unhappy there. Thank you for sharing this with us, I will definitely have Yunnan on mind! 🙂
Your husband is SUCH an amazing photographer!! I’m seriously wanderlusting after Yunnan from these photos (and the picture of the fluffy cows made me squeal!!). I’ve never been (only to Beijing for family and a couple of days in Shanghai) but I would like to explore all of China someday! We just acquired 10 year tourism visas to China so I think we will be able to explore it slowly!! I love what you said about Yunnan being like the old China!
These pictures are amazing!! I have always to go to China!! What an amazing trip that must have been!!
That place looks absolutely stunning!! I would love to see that someday.
Renee | Lose The Road