8am minibus from Lijiang to Quiatou with Pascal. Met Celia (France), Oliver (Germany) and Iris & Alex (Swiss). Dropped bags at Janes Guesthouse, trekked to midway guesthouse. Stunning day, 26 degrees and clear skies. Beers on balcony overlooking 4km high gorge.

Planned Tiger Leaping Gorge trek, spent day organizing at cafe

Hard sleeper from Kunming to Lijiang. Arrived 7am. Fantastic view of mountain. Met Pascal from Switzerland, bus to Old town, N's Kitchen for breakfast, walked old town.

Bought night train ticket to Lijiang. Bus 60 to East bus station (took an hour to get there but only cost Y1). 2hr bus to Stone Forrest tourist reception centre. Park ticket office 5mins walk to north (no signage/way finding). Y175 entrance fee ($25 - ridiculous but ok...) Ticket office not next to entrance, additional Y25 buggy ride or 20min unsigned/unmentioned walk to entrance (Bulls*** money making - no one walks and they make $100 per buggy) Screw that im wa...

Arrived 3pm. Bus 107 to Hump Hostel (name come from WW2 when Kunming was a terminal for air supply lines over the ? AKA The Hump). Walked around the city. Planned route to Tiger Leaping Gorge.