Wake up I Shangri la- amazingly sunny day but still cold! Get ready and get taxi to bus station. Ushered in by other chinese traveller-so cute! Bus uneventful and lasted 6 hours- finished the last empress book. Arrive in Dali and get taxi to hostel- clean new and £2 per night! Head to old town. Receptionists asks other chinese person to explain so he just shows us the way. Instead of leaving he asks to look round with us- awkward as he can barely speak any Engli...

Wake up I Shang. Take ages getting ready so have quick day of bus to monastery (houses 700 monks and is most important I China). When back in town wander round and find Tara's where we eat. Food no good but Tara lovely. Tells us her guesthouse burnt down last year after being open only 3. Half town burnt down when drunk left open flames around.

Woke at 6 for bus to gorge.tom makes us toast, yak butter worst butter yet- so gross! Have the rest of my toast with honey then check out (breakfast, 2x water, accomodation and £4.50 bus ticket came to £7.70 in total?). Meet Montreal Simon and his dad en route to bus who ate doing trek. Missing abo! Meet couple called Dan and Carla- excellently entertaining. And Carla in fluent in mandarin after teaching here 3 years. Ike shor but tiring with a scary sky ladder...

Up early for flight. In Lijiang for 10 am! Met at airport by random bumbling Brit waiting for friend who arranged us taxi for 8£- what a delight. Met at hostel by iris. A traveller who is working there for 1 week. Iris a chinese girl who appears bored +++ so helps us plan route. Hostel like home with missmatched bedding and wood everywhere staying in 3 bed dorm for 3£ per night. Tom the owner trying to cook for us so depart. Head to old town (short walk). Dodge...

3£/ night hostel interesting. Smells even more interesting and Chubby receptionist repellant. Metro then bus to terracotta warriors. So many chinese tourist groups- almost stampled and hit in face with selfie stick. Briefly say exhibit from afar the. Off to mausoleum which was so poorly signposted I gave up looking. Bus back then out for Indian- getting taxi took 30 minutes on a main road. Get to bed later before 4am start