Yunnan province captivates Thai bloggers

For Kanisorn Pringthongfoo, a 48-year-old Thai travel blogger, the outdoor performance Impression Lijiang set against the backdrop of Yulong (Jade Dragon) Snow Mountain in Lijiang, Yunnan province, was a long-anticipated experience.

"I've heard a lot about it from friends and family, and they told me it's something I should witness at least once in my lifetime," he said.

On the afternoon of Oct 18, during his visit to Lijiang, Pringthongfoo's dream finally came to fruition.

"Even though I cannot understand the language, the performance conveys the emotions and story through movement and costumes," he said. "I grasped about 90 percent of what they communicated. It was thrilling, and I absolutely loved it."

Pringthongfoo is among 10 Thai bloggers exploring Yunnan province's Kunming, Lijiang and Shangri-La from Oct 16 to 21, immersing themselves in the local cuisine, breathtaking landscapes and cultural heritage.

Earlier on Oct 18, Pringthongfoo visited Yulong Snow Mountain and was captivated by its stunning scenery, describing it as "an unforgettable place".

However, he noted, "There's only a little snow at the peak right now. There will be more later this year."

On the mountain's viewing platform 4,680 meters above sea level, he spotted fellow blogger Patomporn Ruyun doing the push-up challenge.

The 37-year-old completed 20 push-ups, describing the challenge as "not that difficult". He said that reaching the mountain was convenient: take a cable car, then take a short walk to the top.

While experiencing the ancient glaciers, alpine snowfields and swirling sea of clouds up close, Ruyun noted that the snow-covered mountain charm captivated the Thai tourists, offering a landscape unlike anything in their homeland.

As a nature enthusiast, he also visited Shika Snow Mountain in Shangri-La on Oct 21, which is very distinct from Yulong Snow Mountain. There, the larch trees had turned a warm amber, the shrubs displayed a vibrant red, and the evergreens kept their lush green.

"I have a great love for nature. Yunnan offers such stunning mountains and diverse wildlife compared to cities," Ruyun said.

During his visit to Shangri-La's Pudacuo National Park on Oct 20, in the heart of the "Three Parallel Rivers" World Natural Heritage site, he interacted with a squirrel and captured the heartwarming moment on camera.

"Seeing people feeding squirrels and birds is soothing. It showcases the harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife in this stunning environment," said Watcharee Suphaluxana, another Thai blogger.