Yunnan Spring Greetings (X)
I actually intended to write two or three more articles about my recent trip to China. I started, then stopped again. (Other articles on this can be accessed via this link: TAG: Yunnan). Essentially, I hold back because I am aware that China is usually perceived very distortedly in the West, and I do not want to be seen as a great “friend of China” without ifs or buts.
The topic is also too vast; in this format, I can only touch upon a few points I deem important. The image examples are meant to reflect the tenor of the article—including the idea that one should not take everything too seriously.
Even though I have a certain affinity for China, I am neither blind nor so deluded that I wouldn’t notice the downsides. To avoid overstretching this point: for me, when it comes to traveling, every country in the world functions according to its own rules and laws. Sometimes they are similar to my home country; sometimes significantly different. It is always true that it is not my place to criticize—pointedly and perhaps from a position of arrogance—circumstances that I cannot judge with my limited understanding. Rather, I am interested in learning, observing and reflecting.
Furthermore, wherever I travel, I am always a guest and behave accordingly. If we were invited to dinner at home, it wouldn’t occur to us to criticize an ambiance that doesn’t meet our aesthetics. This perspective creates a good basis for a relaxed togetherness on a trip.
Shared Stories and Human Moments
As mentioned before, we met so many nice people and we learned so much. Here, a friendly local tells us wonderful stories [1] about the local wells in Ping An (Jianshui).
At another time, in a good restaurant, our nice, young but inquisitive waitress asked, after a few sentences of small talk made it clear we were a couple: “Aha, I see! Now I’d like to know—did you pick her up, or did she pick you up?” Even the neighboring table laughed heartily.
For me, it holds true that all of us—the overwhelming majority of the world’s population—have the same goals and dreams: we want to lead a happy life, a fulfilling partnership or family, we want our children to fare better one day, and we want to be able to pay our bills without problems or, better still, to be able to set aside money for rainy days…
…or simply that our pets are doing well.
The Great Togetherness
This and everything else in our living conditions is largely determined by forces that the individual can hardly change, regardless of whether we live in a country where one can cast a ballot or not. By “forces,” I don’t mean a specific political power, but rather global corporations, major investors, or other global players who move a lot of money and thus wield considerable power. Action leads to reaction, pressure creates counter-pressure—everything is interconnected.
Particularly—and too often neglected today—our respective history, tradition, and culture determine our perspectives. [2] We may try to suppress them or replace them with other topics, but they live on in our subconscious through literature, legends, and artifacts. If it is claimed we learn nothing from history, that may apply to certain societal actions, but history is deeply embedded in our collective consciousness and continues to shape society. For better or for worse. This becomes particularly clear when 3,000-year-old statements from fictional gods are used to justify destructive actions in a modern world shaped by globalization and technology.
Endless Misunderstandings
These factors are one reason for the many misunderstandings between populations of different latitudes. In my experience, Chinese people generally do not view the US population nearly as negatively as the other way around. The USA is often admired, at least for its economic success. [3]
This went so far that reports emerged years ago of Chinese people converting from Buddhism to Christianity with reasoning along the lines of: “What did my religion bring me? I am still poor. If a God can make the USA so rich, it must be the right God.”
What is Different There?
Except for the provincial capital, Kunming, and Pu’er, we saw almost no non-Chinese people. This was very different 20 years ago. Why? Today, if you don’t speak or read Chinese and can’t handle Chinese apps, independent travel can be extremely difficult.
Take taxis, for example:
- The Process: Open app, enter destination, select a car (with transparent pricing), provide a code upon entry to prevent “taxi-snatching,” and get off at the destination.
- Payment: Handled entirely via app—immediately or days later. If you get out early, the difference is refunded instantly. As long as one has not paid, one cannot order another taxi.
No Tipping: Tipping doesn’t exist, either in taxis nor restaurants. This ensures transparency and avoids the “tipping society” model.
We drove the entire 3,000+ km of our trip by taxi. (Except for the high-speed train from Kunming to Dali). In the West, this would cost a fortune. While short city trips cost $2–4, our longest journey of 478 km cost about $200 including tolls. What is wonderful for the user is less fortunate for the drivers; they must give 30–40% to the operator and pay taxes and insurance themselves.
In China, cash has largely been replaced by mobile payments in everyday life. Deep in the mountains, it’s sometimes better due to competing apps. As a Central European, I find the abolition of cash appalling—it means giving up a cornerstone of freedom. But in practical terms, the transparency of digital payments can also make certain forms of crime and corruption more difficult.
Diversity of Fauna and Flora in Yunnan
Yunnan remains a province of extraordinary diversity—from its many ethnic minority groups to its flora and fauna, landscapes, and food.
Yunnan cuisine, with its regional specialties, is surprising, especially the vegetables that grow hidden in the forest or on trees. [5]
Regarding tea: Pu’er is famous for its tea, but the elite varieties don’t reach us. The most expensive kilo price was around $825,000. A single infusion would cost us about €4,700. [6] Less known is that Pu’er is also a coffee center (90% Arabica). Even “Starsucks” grows here. [7]
Planning and Logistics
It goes without saying that good planning and preparation were essential for such a complicated trip with a packed schedule. Without the help of AI (G., paid version), it wouldn’t have worked nearly as well. There are no guidebooks for these remote places in Yunnan, we needed Chinese characters to direct taxis – and had so many specific questions. As mentioned in previous articles, I have always had a very relaxed attitude towards AI as a research tool, not just on a trip like this when it answered every detailed question—even how a specific Chinese remote control works.
In a way, this stay in Yunnan was a journey through time: a trip into the future in terms of technology, and far into the past in other respects—making the journey unforgettable.
Some Extra Fun
footnotes:
[1] In Jianshui, the ancient wells are traditionally viewed as the “Eyes of the Earth,” representing the vital Yin (nourishing, deep energy) that balances the Yang of the city’s stone walls. Legends suggest these wells allow the subterranean dragon on which the city rests to breathe, ensuring prosperity and clear water for the community. This delicate balance between the structural and the flowing remains a cornerstone of local identity and the famous Jianshui tofu culture.
[2] Rosaliene Bacchus writes excellent articles on her highly recommended blog Three Worlds One Vision about the view of the world from an indigenous perspective.
[3] Recent data (2025–2026) shows a significant gap in mutual perception: while roughly 73% of the US population holds a negative view of China, the sentiment in China remains more nuanced. The lasted trend is more postive: Pew Research Center: Americans’ views of China more positive again in 2026
[4] Another “Time Travel” aspect mentioned in this article. Within a few meters, you can move from a traditional market or an ancient well to a scene that looks like futuristic video games or a fantasy manga. In cities like Kunming, it is very common for young people to walk through shopping districts or historic streets in full cosplay or Lolita fashion. It is a way to express individuality and a shared love for fictional universes.
[5] The area is also famous for its variety of edible mushrooms – but I think I’d better avoid to start with the culinary aspects 🙂
[6] The mentioned price of approximately $825,000 per kilogram refers to “antique” or legendary Pu’er cakes from the late Qing Dynasty or early 20th century. However these are investment assets rather than mere beverages.
[7] Pu’er has emerged as the “coffee capital” of China, producing over 90% of the nation’s Arabica beans. This growth is significantly driven by international cooperation, most notably through the said company’s China Farmer Support Center established in Pu’er in 2012.
More Yunnan Spring Greetings: Part I – Spring Greetings · Part II – Just Shaxi · Part III – Density, Depth, Tradition and Authenticity · Part IV – Every Day an Adventure · Part V – Pure Dao · Part VI – Along the Tea Road · Part VII – South of the Clouds · Part VIII – Customs, Traditions and Religion · Part IX – Buddha’s Light · Part X – Afterthoughts on the Yunnan Journey
Related articles: The Silk Road: Personal Reflections | Petra and Sharm El Sheikh | Dao in Chinese Poetry
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