Xishuangbanna, China

China is a huge country, is basically the fourth largest land area after Russia, Canada and US.  Nearly each region offers completely different landscape, cuisine and culture although they are under the same country rule.  And it is nearly impossible to cover the whole country in one trip unless you stay there for a year or so.  

This China trip of mine is the tiniest of the tiniest.  It covers only the small bit of the southern most of China.  The trip consists of only 4 days 3 nights in Xishuangbanna (Yunna region).  The closest city from Thailand by land.  Not only their location but I found that their culture, their Buddhist temple style and some of their food is pretty similar to Thailand. 

From Thailand, we need to cross the border through the North of Lao DPR.  The driving journey took about 6 hours.  The first stop was Jinghong city in Xishuangbanna, we stayed 2 nights in here.  By the way, we booked the private tour from Thailand, which much convenient and comfortable.   

Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai, Thailand - The border to go to Lao

Private tour van

This place only for toilet stop to break the driving journey in Lao and to observe the restaurant that selling road-kill meat.  Yes, road-kill!!!  Therefore, the animal or the meat served could be vary day by day depending on the availability.   And the type of animal could be just an ordinary kind or some are too exotic and extravagant for a person like me, but not for the local apparently.

WARNING. A LITTLE TOO GRAPHIC FOR SOME. BELOW!!!!!!

Of course, we didn't eat anything from that restaurant.  It will be too extreme unless you are very adventurous.  We stopped at the proper restaurant for most of the tourists.  They served traditional Lao cuisine set, such as Lao style papaya salad, larb and oklam.

Another 2 hours drive approximately from the border area to Jinghong.  So we arrived there in the late afternoon.  And went straight to have dinner in the traditional village next to the night market.

Xishuangbanna traditional table and chairs

The food overall were good.  But I totally loved this sweet deep-fried Chinese bun and dip it into condensed milk as always.

After dinner, we briefly strolled around the night market.  Quite a few things to see with a beautiful temple on the background.  There are lots of barbecue  stuffs but we were too full after the big inner so we had to give it a miss.

Starway Hotel Xishuangbanna
4 Menghai Road, Jinghong City (Poshui Plaza)

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Xishuangbanna:

Last Day In Tokyo: Asakusa, Chirashi Lunch, Tempura Dinner And Short Stopover In Hongkong

Previously:
Fujiko F. Fujio Museum, Kawasaki

After a visit at Asakusa Temple, we then had some chirashi don or assorted fresh sliced fish serve on top of soft Japanese rice with some wasabi and pickled ginger.  Seafood in Japan, without a doubt, is ultra fresh and delicious.

On our last day, we didn't go outside so much.  It was a very freezing day.  We only went out again at night to had some tempura dinner nearby our hotel in Nippori.

Then the next day, our flight left early in the morning with 8 hours lay over in Hong Kong.  So we decided to walk around the city and grabbed some yummy roast pork and Chinese noodle soup.  See you guys again soon in my next trip.  Octie Appetie...

Fujiko F. Fujio Museum, Kawasaki

Previously:
Mt. Fuji And Lake Kawaguchi

The town is decorated with doraemon cartoon characters

Today, we dedicated our time for the kids.  Spent a day in the famous Fujiko F. Fujio Museum or well known as Doraemon Museum in Kawasaki City.  I think this place is not only for the kids, it tickles us adult as well.  I still remember back then when we were young every Sunday morning, I woke up early, earlier then school day just to watch this Doraemon series aired on TV.  One of the best cartoon ever.  They are 'Legend'.

From the closest subway station which was Noborito Station, we then catched a special Doraemon bus heading to museum and the bus will stop right in front of the museum.

As well as in the bus, it has plenty Fujiko F. Fujio cartoon characters

Waiting the queue to get in

By the way, we need to purchase the entry ticket in advance.  We did it the night before in Family mart through vending machine.  There was very little English but the family mart attendee was very kind and helped us purchasing the ticket.  We need to book for specific date and time.  It is a must as they only limit the number of people entering the museum each time.

He said: "Why aren't you here yet Doraemon!!"

Please spare lots of 100 yen coins, if you want to get this balls.  The only place I can exchange coin was from the souvenir shop or restaurant.  So hustle.

There are indoor and outdoor area that you can explore plus one time an exclusive movie to watch.  

Anywhere door

Yay... We got the Doraemon face

'Memory bread'  980 yen

Giant pop up

Fujiko F. Fujio Mueseum
2 Chome-8-1 Nagao, Tama ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture
Ph: +81 570 055 245


Stay tuned for the next blog:
Last Day In Tokyo: Asakusa, Chirashi Lunch, Tempura Dinner, And Short Stopover In HongKong