SLOW LORIS 38: Jiuxiang Gorges, Caves and Underground River

Kunming - We opted for the Jiuxiang Cave System over Shilin Stone Forest. Shilin was too commercialize for our liking. Jiuxiang looked like the road less travelled. That was good enough. Period. I would say Jiuxiang was the first of 5 notable places we visited on the "Kunming Loop". Others were;

- Dali, Lijiang and Shuhe Ancient towns
- Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Pudacuo National Park

Intro into the cave system

The winter morning to Jiuxiang was cold. Our upper torso were well wrapped up but cold was seeping through our pants.

Descend into the gorge for boat ride

Entrance fee discount, missed by 7 inches!

The riverside jetty

My daughter complained that entrance fee discount for people not taller than 130 cm was not a genuine offer!

The river ride was serene

Our guide was either Yi or Hui ethnic minorit

Video folksong

As we boarded our boat, an ethnic chaperone was thrown in together with our ride. She spoke no English and us, barely functional Mandarin. However, she bridged the divide by singing folk songs as we rode down river. It made the trip memorable with personal touches like these.

Start point of Jiuxiang

Phase 2 was the walk through the caves.

Warning to my son to humble himself

The river runs into the cave system

Can't escape modernity I suppose. "Caution wet floor" triangle seen on the floor as we navigated through the cemented pathway. The pathway was clean and maintained. In fact, a bit sterile, bereft of plant and animal life like those seen in Malaysian caves. Spelunking enthusiast will remind you of the smell, mud and creepy crawlies of a healthy cave.

Wet floor sign in the cave

Emerald waters

Bridge over gorge

We made way for this gentleman and his entourage of 3 to pass us. A timely reminder that we should travel when we can still walk. Am saying this not with the intent of passing judgement on this man. Travel draws out reflection in all of us.

Strong bodies need apply

For the disabled or monied ...

Cave pools beautifully formed. Water trickles down timelessly and for millennium. We crossed many man made bridges and steps. All in it took about 3 hours to walk through Jiuxiang. Add another hour if you really go through each information kiosks that were placed through its passage.

Cave pools that looked like terraced paddy fields

Underground waterfall

Close up of the lion rock gatekeeper

Exit with a lion looking rock

Nature has a a beautiful was of telling stories. Here the lion looking out of the cave looked like a loyal gatekeeper, ever vigilant. The very reason why you should not be reading this space. Get out there to enjoy what was crafted by Mother.