I just returned from a trip to Dali and I took the cablecar to the Horse Washing Pond - Xi Ma Tang - My Goodness - what a ripoff - what a scam.
The Tian Long Ba Bu Movie Studio was built in 2006 - I visited this place once - only to locate the Japanese Monk Temple because this temple was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and the movie studio now sits in its place and only a small stupa remains. Many people have realized that the Tian Long Movie studio is a ripoff so no one seems to visit this place any more except for the tour groups who are bused there daily. Ticket prices for the movie studio still remains at 52 RMB.
The cable car to the Horse Washing Pond has been conveniently placed at the top of the hill inside the movie studio so they managed to get people to pay for this ticket with the cable car as an excuse. I arrived at the studio at 8:30 am only to find that the area is closed off until 9:00 when the opening ceremony begins and lasts about 15 minutes. Once inside the studio you may either walk to the top of the hill or pay 20 RMB for an electric car shuttle. By the time we reached the first cable car it is now 9:30 am.
The prices to visit the pond is as follows.
Movie studio = 52 RMB
Cang Shan Protection Fee = 30 RMB
Cable Car = 200
Total = 280 RMB
I purchased my tickets at a travel agency in Dali Old Town (Corner of Foreigner Street/Yang Ren Jie and HuGuo Street) because they have discounted tickets so I only paid 220 RMB.
The scam continues - The Xi Ma Cable Car begins at the movie studio and stops at the top of the 7 Dragon Maiden Pool. At this point all passengers must disembark and go to a ticket window and get another ticket for the horse washing pond. The reason for this is because passengers are only allowed to the next stage of the cable car if the weather is good. If the weather is NOT good, then you just wasted your time and you can return to the movie studio and you will be refunded 100 RMB for the second half of the cablecar. However, you just paid 180 RMB for a cable car trip to nowhere. The 7 Maiden Pool is closed for repairs until at least the end of 2012. So no one is allowed to leave the viewing platform and there is absolutely nothing to see here.
The first cable car takes about 20 minutes and you must get in line to get your second ticket and then get in line to get in for the second cable car. By now it is 10:00 am.
With great weather and clear blue skies, I continued on the to the second leg of the cable car with the horse washing pond as my destination. The second cable car also takes about 20 minutes so by now it is 10:30 am. We were the first ones to arrive and we began our 1 km walk on the artificial wooden path with railings that has been built to keep tourists confined. There are several viewing platforms (rest areas) built along the way as well as 2 toilet facilities. As we reached near the end, the wooden path splits to the left and right. The path to the right (below and out of sight of the pond) was roped off so we went towards the left where the MAIN platform of the pond is located.
There are several viewing platforms along the way but only 2 platforms are in sight of the horse washing pond. We reached the lower platform that is at the same level as the pond but as we attempted to climb the last 100 meters to reach the main platform that is above the pond, we were stopped by a guard who did not permit us to climb to the top viewing platform that allows us to see and photograph the pond from above.
We were told that the platform is being repaired so my wife called the phone number on the ticket and demanded our money be refunded because the 7 maiden Pool was closed and the main viewing platform of the pond was also closed. Within minutes, another guard arrived as well as 2 policemen. There are several guards along the path as well as 4 police with binoculars who watch the surrounding area and make sure no one jumps the railing and gets off the wooden path. After speaking with someone from the complaint office we were told to hand the phone to the guard and we were permitted to climb the last 100 meters and reach the main platform.
The view here is exceptional. Some workers arrived that saw the commotion and told us that the main platform was built poorly and was lacking a foundation so the platform was slowly sinking into the
mud. Rather then rebuild or repair, they just close the platform off to tourists. The second toilet facilites is located on this main viewing platform. After 20 minutes of picture taking at the main platform we began to descend and we saw other tourists huffing and puffing at 3900 meters. As other tourists attempted to climb to the main platform, the guard stopped them and did not permit anyone to reach the top. We heard them complain and grumble and ask why the Lao wai was allowed up. My wife told them to call and complian but they just grumbled and were content to see the pond from the lower platform.
We took the cable car down to the 7 Maiden Pool but were NOT allowed to go to the viewing platform. We were told that we should have gone to the platform on our way up and we must go directly to the next cable car and return to the movie studio.
I went to the horse washing pond a few years ago by renting a horse. However, horses are no longer allowed to take tourists to the pond any more. I also, hiked to the pond a few years ago but now the police with binoculars monitor the area for hikers.
Because the 7 Maiden Pool is closed, there is no way to get into the Cloudy Tourist Trail that runs along the Cang Shan mountains. If any one is interested in visiting the Horse washing pond, I suggest you wait until the 7 Maiden Pool opens. This way you can get onto the Cloudy Tourist Trail after you see the horse washing pond and descend from the 7 Maiden Pool. Whether you pay 220 RMB or the full price of 280 RMB, I dont think its worth it to go to the pond especially if you are not allowed onto the main platform.
Laos extradites drug suspects to Yunnan
Posted byAlien, I know you mean well but we already live in a world were millions of people are murdered (on purpose) every day and the entire world condones it.
The UN is a useless entity that serves the rich. Israel has violated so many UN resolutions yet the world has done nothing for over 60 years. They murder people and all the UN does is pass resolutions and tell Israel they broke a law. Iraq broke 1 rule and they were on Saddam in a minute. Millions killed in Iraq, Chile, Argentina, Guatemala and the list goes on and the world does what? Nothing. So please do not say it would not be condoned.
Totalitarian control is very possible because there are many countries with this type of govt and it is not Syria or North Korea, or Cuba. The EU is now totalitarian, the peole have no way to vote for their leaders just as in the USA. Billions are given to bankers and the majority of the population disagree but there is nothing they can do because if they try to protest they are beaten and arrested. Am I insane or is this not a fact? How many countries object to austerity measures yet the people can do nothing.
Many people are put on the no-fly list and see what happens to them. They have no legal rights and they are guilty until they can prove themselves innocent. Last I heard there was a 5 year old on the list - Haha.
The USA is a fascist country and this did not happen because of me.
Finally, drugs are NOT uncontrolled. They are in fact very much controlled by the govt. Talk to border Patrol agents (not rookies) and they are told when to search and when not to search. Everyone knows the schedule of the border patrol in San Onofre near Camp Pendleton. Drugs go by in trucks as innocent people are stripped searched at borders in search of drugs while the drugs pass through in huge trucks. It is an illusion.
I am trying to be very clear - it does not matter what I think or you think is an illegal drug - It does not matter because we are dictated what is legal or illegal. We have no choice. If the USA was a democratic contry then many things would change but they never do because it is no longer a republic and it is in no way democratic.
If there was a vote tomorrow, who would vote for spending trillions on war and weapons and who would vote for education, health and so on. Of course, the overwhelming majority would vote for education, infrastructure and NOT war or weapons. So why doesnt it happen???
Alien, I read your posts and you seem logical and intelligent from what and how you write. Is anyhting I am stating here untrue or is it not factual. Look at the condition of the world, the entire world, not just a few countries. Everything is purposely set to fail and cause chaos. Everything!
Laos extradites drug suspects to Yunnan
Posted byYou really made me Laugh. I admit that was a GREAT one. Very good Magnifico. Time for a truce. You got me.
Laos extradites drug suspects to Yunnan
Posted byHow about putting a very powerful poison in all illegal drugs so when the drug user take the drug they will literally kill themselves. This way no one must bear the responsibility of their own deaths. After some time, all drug users will die off and the drug demand will end all drug wars. With good education, young people will not fall into this problem.
Laos extradites drug suspects to Yunnan
Posted bywe all made a pact not to ever do it again after a bad experience. - So even casual drug use does have negative affects on people.
Laos extradites drug suspects to Yunnan
Posted byNow the truth comes out. You defend this cause because you are one of the many that do take drugs. I dont care if you took drugs once or 100 times. I dont care if you are useful or not to society. No one is going to execute you. Grow up fool. Dont you realize where you are? This is a forum where people discuss topics and all people have different opinions. This is not a personal battle between Hugo and Blobbles. How old are you? Perhaps the LSD you took as an adolescent has impaired your judgement and left you with the maturity of a 13 year old.