Got a taxi to the bus station first thing this morning and caught the bus to Lijiang. I didn't realise it when I booked, but the bus actually went via Dali which is my next destination so I got a sneaky previous of what is in store for me there. The drive from Kunming to Dali (5 hours) was nice enough, but the drive from Dali to Lijiang was absolutely stunning. It is really mountainous and green - I really felt I had reached real China. The bus stopped in the new town, and I got a taxi (well 2 actually and a 30 minute walk!) to the old town which is a maze of cobbled streets and old wooden buildings. It felt so relaxed after spending so much time in the cities. Lijiang is home to the Naxi people who are descended from Tibetian nomads, and this place does feel how I have always imagined Tibet would be. I arrived at 6:30 in the evening and it was really peaceful - I hope it is not spoilt too much by tourists during the daytime. Checked in and then got chatting with several of the other guests in the bar until 1 in the morning. We were all swapping information on our travels and what to see. I got loads of information on Tiger Leaping Gorge and in return I became the authority on Harbin Ice Festival!