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Photo, taken by Mazlan, shows Zhang feeding the seagulls at Wangguan Wetland Park. — Bernama photo
THE sight of a person holding a ‘Welcome’ sign at the arrival hall of Kunming Changsui International Airport brought a huge wave of relief over me and Bernama’s chief photographer Mazlan Simeon.
“Welcome to Kunming!” exclaimed Rita Yangrui, a 23-year-old student from the University of Yunnan, who served as our translator throughout the Third Yunnan International Communication Forum, organised by the Xinhua News Agency and the Yunnan Provincial Government.
She was accompanied by Sandy Xiao, a 30-year-old reporter from Xinhuanet.
“Are you ready for the trip?” asked Rita.
Mazlan and I simply nodded.
It might seem like a regular exchange of pleasantries, but for me, it was a much-needed interaction after a very uncomfortable experience throughout the first part of my Malaysia-China journey.
(From right) The writer in a wefie with Xiao, Rita and Mazlan at Kunming Changsui International Airport.
Of flight delays, other issues
The forum was my first overseas working trip – and one that almost did not happen!
The recent event, which covered Kunming and also the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, gathered photo-journalists and media representatives from around the world.
Themed ‘Cooperation, Creating the Future, and Exploring New Paths for International Communication’, it hosted various sessions such as in-depth discussions, exchange of ideas, consensus-building and promotion of win-win collaborations.
Wanting to prepare ahead of the trip, I did research on Kunming and Xishuangbanna via social media, and the content I found was amazing.
It showcased the beauty of these areas, making me even more excited about it.
Then the day finally came, and I was enthusiastic.
According to my itinerary, the flight to Kuala Lumpur should depart at 7am, and I was already at Kuching International Airport before 5am.
However, my heart sank upon seeing that the take-off had been delayed to 9am – meaning this would badly affect me in catching the connecting flight to Kunming City, which was scheduled to depart at 1.30pm from Kuala Lumpur.
Determined not to let this disrupt my plans, I approached AirAsia’s customer service desk. After a brief wait, I managed to reschedule my flight to an earlier departure, at 8am.
With a new boarding pass in hand, I felt a renewed sense of excitement for the journey ahead.
However, upon landing in Kuala Lumpur at 10am, I was met with another issue. There was a problem at the baggage collection area, where the machine monitor displayed ‘error’.
This made passengers with connecting flights worried. I asked the technician what was wrong, and his reply was the same as that on the monitor: “Error.”
The machine did resume to normal after a while, but I was still anxious about checking in my baggage for the Kunming flight.
Fortunately, things went well after that. I spotted Mazlan near the counter after that.
Later, we boarded the plane to Kunming, which took off at 1.30pm.
The journey was smooth, plus the lively and cheerful chat with Mazlan throughout the flying time gave me a sense of things going to be alright thereon.
That was not the case, though.
We had another hurdle to overcome at Kunming Changshui International Airport – the ground staff members spoke little to no English at all.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I quickly pulled out the official letter of invitation from Xinhua News Agency and at the same time, I also opened the translation app on my phone.
This barely helped our communication, but positively, I could sense their confusion turning into understanding – thanks to the app.
Still, that interaction felt like an eternity. The immigration processed my passport and allowed me to pass through.
As I said before, seeing Rita and Xiao was a huge relief, and it was only then that I was fully ready to experience Kunming.
‘City of Eternal Spring’
Kunming is known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’, where the sun bathes the city in a soft golden glow.
The temperature hovers pleasantly around 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, and the fresh air is filled with the floral fragrance wafting from the many public parks and gardens dotting the landscape.
We arrived at the Qing Tian Xin Yue Hotel, and after checking in and the much-deserved freshening-up, we enjoyed dinner at the Yunzii Chess Academy Restaurant in Guandu Ancient City.
Yang and Xiao were our guides, who later took us to see the Old Railway Station in Kunming, approximately 15km away.
This outing gave me and Mazlan some insight into the region’s transport history and its impact on trade and travels.
A lovely woman greeted us and throughout the walkabout, she explained to us the station’s history in Mandarin.
In this regard, we were so grateful to Yang for translating everything to English.
“Built in the early 20th century, this station was once a vital link in the Yunnan Railway, facilitating the movement of goods and people and contributing to the economic growth of Kunming,” said Yang, who spoke with an American accent.
The station displays spectacular architectural features, blending Chinese and Western styles.
The red brick walls and arched windows are obvious characteristics of the early-century railway design.
No longer operational, the Old Railway Station now stands as a historical landmark, inviting visitors to reflect on the changes that have shaped the region over the decades.
Today, it is also a cultural hub, a night market, often hosting events and exhibitions that celebrate Kunming’s rich heritage.
Trade, technology and tourism
It was on the next morning that Mazlan and I got to meet the other participants, representing the other 20 countries.
Having quickly exchanged pleasantries with them, we proceeded to our tour to the World Trade Centre in Kunming.
During our visit, we got to know the various facilities and services offered at the centre including offices, exhibition spaces and conference rooms.
From this visit, we gained insights into Kunming’s role in global trade, specifically its strategic position as a gateway to Southeast Asia, reflecting the city’s ambition of becoming a key player in international trade and economic collaboration.
From the world trade centre, we headed to Yunnan Huawu Technology Company, which to me, was a very interesting experience.
Yunnan is famous for its diverse and vibrant floral products, and Huawu Technology plays a significant role in this sector.
In my easiest analogy, if a florist was an athlete, then Yunnan Huawu Technology would be the heavyweight bodybuilder version!
The artistry in its products is over-emphasised, both in size and design.
During a demonstration especially set up for us, an artisan used an arsenal of tools and implements to sculpt a massive piece, comprising flowers in shades of blue, white and peach.
It was an impressive massive work, but one that did not sacrifice fine craftsmanship.
An artisan engages in a creative floristry process within a lab room setting, during a demonstration held as part of the Huawu Technology outing. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
Another interesting thing about this company that I saw was the provision of training for aspiring florists.
“We offer educational programmes designed to equip the students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the floral industry.
“The training covers various aspects including flower cultivation, arrangement techniques, and business management in the floral sector,” said a Yunnan Huawu Technology representative.
Ancient city
After a lunch break, we set off to explore the ancient city of Guandu.
This historical area is known for its well-preserved architecture, where the traditional Yunnanese characteristics could be seen through its narrow streets, shop buildings and temples.
The cultural immersion continued with a visit to a traditional Chinese opera theatre, where the participants got to visually enjoy dramatic storytelling of ancient legends and local folklores.
The participants explore the charming streets in Guandu. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
However, a very interesting aspect of our Guandu outing was the opportunity to witness the traditional craft of making chess stones, linked to the game of ‘Xiangqi’, or Chinese chess.
We could see the entire process – from selecting the right materials to the intricate carving.
The artisans, via our translators, provided us with insights into their craftsmanship, the tools used, and the artistic designs on each piece.
Some of us also got to join the crafting process and come up with something special.
Enthusiasts watch two men playing Chinese chess on a sidewalk in Guandu. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
‘The seagull whisperer’
The next morning, after breakfast, we checked out of the Qing Tian Xin Yue Hotel – ready for our next adventure to Xishuangbanna, about a three-hour train journey from Kunming.
Before that, however, we were brought to Wangguan Wetland Park, sited by the beautiful Dianchi Lake.
Located quite a distance from Kunming city, this natural sanctuary is renowned for its rich biodiversity and scenic landscapes, making it a perfect spot for photographers and also family gatherings.
The old train at Kunming’s first railway tells the story of an era gone by, connecting the past to the vibrant present. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
An attention draw, however, was the presence of Zhang Liyun, a 40-year-old local wildlife enthusiast.
Hailed as ‘Bird King of Dianchi’, Zhang would come every morning to feed the birds.
We were told that the seagulls, locally known as ‘Hong Zui Ou’, would only come to him; anyone else attempting to feed the birds would usually be ignored.
Zhang’s dedication and love for the seagulls has become a delightful spectacle for locals and tourists alike.
“Feeding the gulls is more than just a habit – it’s a way for me to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty around us,” he said during a brief interview.
Zhang’s daily routine during the winter months would run between 7.30am and 8.30am, but during inclement weather or when there were fewer tourists, he would feed the birds twice a day – once in the morning, and again at noon.
“My feeding schedule is flexible, depending on the weather and the number of visitors,” he said.
Moreover, Zhang strove to actively raise public awareness of the importance of protecting the black-headed seagulls by sharing the videos of his feeding sessions on social media.
“All these efforts emphasise the role that individuals can play in conservation, and also the need for community involvement.”
In our briefing, we were informed about Wangguan Wetland Park being an important wintering site for many migratory birds, providing a haven for tens of thousands of them each year.
“This influx makes the park a popular destination for birdwatchers,” said the park representative.
The visit marked the end of our Kunming leg, and we were excited to see what would be in store for us in our next adventure in Xishuangbanna.
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