Temerloh Day Trip

My sister and I had to deal with some house repair which we discovered just before I left for Kunming and when I came back, I spent about two weeks setting the house back to order, rearranging some furniture, going through dad’s books and documents and getting rid of things he boarded for decades, and of course cleaning, dusting and mopping the house.

I needed a little break from all that and considered my options for a short day trip. Because I’d been to Melaka a few times albeit not recently, I decided to go to Temerloh. So I left micasa early last Wednesday morning, 5 November 2025, and made my way to Titiwangsa bus station.

I arrived at 07:47 and made my way to one of the counters only to find that Bulan Restu would not be operating until early December 2025. I went to another counter and to my delight, found that there was a bus leaving at 08:00 so I parted with RM12 for my ticket. We were told the trip would take 2.5 hours.

The bus left at 07:58 and it was not a full bus at all. It stopped for about twenty minutes at Gombak Terminal and I went down to use the facilities. We left the Karak Highway at Karak and after brief stops along the way and at Mentakab, we reached Temerloh at 10:20. I immediately went to buy ticket for the bus back and chose the 14:00 departure.

I then walked around the town up to the river. Temerloh is not flat but the hills are manageable. The town is at the confluence of the mighty Pahang and Semantan Rivers. There is a colourful bridge there and one would need to pay to cross it but I overheard some visitors saying it was closed. By ‘it’, I think they meant the restaurant across.

I turned back and walked to Pasar Seni Temerloh but it was deserted on a weekday. Then I turned and walked back up to Jalan Dato’ Abu Samah then walked along Jalan Ahmad Shah. I stopped at a restaurant for some censor and rojak (which automatically came with yellow noodles; apparently you have to say ‘pasembur’ if you wanted rojak so I either didn’t understand the lingo or had the wrong definition of rojak all this while. It was already 11:50 then.

I was contemplating if I should get some Patin fish with rice for lunch but I’d only just had some rojak mee (that’s what I would call it and not simply rojak) when I saw there’s a restaurant about 15 minutes away selling laksa. I was just wondering if Pahang had any laksa to claim for itself so I decided to walk over and check it out.  So I had laksa instead of Patin fish but I didn’t regret it because I’d never had laksa Pahang before. Then it was time to turn back. I stopped en route to perform prayers before making my way back to the bus station for my 14:00 bus back to KL. We reached KL at 16:25 and that was my short trip to Temerloh. There is a long Sunday morning market but I could get most things in KL and besides, the Sunday traffic around Temerloh would be somewhat heavier too. But hey, maybe just maybe, I might return on a Sunday morning because never say never.

Yunnan And Hunan 2025: Part V

Monday, 20 October 2025

I woke up early and left just after 07:00. This time, I made for Line B. Because my ticket was for Line A, a park official helped rearrange things and I was able to join Line B within minutes. I hurried to board the bus and got down at Bailong Elevator stop. Then I hurried to join the queue. Alas, the rain meant we didn’t enjoy any view as we ascended.

I walked out and to my surprise and pleasure, found a friendly ginger cat. After saying hello and giving it some pets, I left and made my way to another shuttle bus stop. After a while, I boarded the bus back to Tianzi Mountain, yes, again. This time, I managed to find the Ten-Mile Gallery route so I walked down the steps. I was so glad to be walking mostly down instead of the other way. I met two other cats on Tianzi Mountain and another cat along the way down. After exiting the route, I walked along the tram track to another shuttle bus station and to my relief, there were buses back to the East Gate.

I walked back to my hotel and after thanking rhe host, I walked to the bus station. The bus left at 13:40 and I got down at Guanli Road. After a brief detour to the bus station to ask about the bus to Furong the next day (there are no fixed schedule and I was told to return the following morning), I walked to find my hotel. It’s in an alley pretty close to the Tianmen Mountain cable car station and the kind host helped show me the bus stop on Yingbin Road from where I could take the bus to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station. Dinner was had at a halal restaurant across from the Tianmen Mountain cable car station.

Tuesday, 21 October 2025

I left the hotel early and walked to the bus stop on Yingbin Road. The bus number 17 came after seven minutes and it took thirty minutes to reach Zhangjiajie West Railway Station. I then made my way to the Ticket office and bought the 10:38 ticket to Furong, and also the next day’s 11:03 ticket from Furong to Fenghuang. There was a 3 yuan service fee which is still lower than if I had bought the tickets on Trip.com. I then alerted the guesthouse in Furong as the host would pick me up from the station.

My host was already waiting when I arrived at Furongzhen station. I had thought I was communicating with a woman so was surprised to find a young man waiting for me. The ride took ten minutes and the host parked his car at a car park near the guesthouse. The double room wasn’t ready as the guest hadn’t checked out and as I wanted to charge my phone, I decided to take the twin room instead. Oh, visitors need to pay to enter Furong town and I bought my entrance ticket on Trip.com on Sunday evening. Turned out the guesthouse host could also purchase the entrance ticket for me for 90 yuan.

I ventured out after prayers at 12:57 and walked around Furong (Hibiscus) Ancient Town. I walked across Tuwang Bridge then down to the river and across the stones crossing the river. I followed the river then wound up along the pedestrian shopping lane before finding a doorway from where I could walk by the river again.

Pretty soon, I came into sight of the two-tiered waterfall. There were a lot of visitors here of course. I then walked down and behind the water curtain (I actually opened my brolly, one would get quite wet otherwise). What a beautiful view, I just could not tire of it. I went to a small gazebo to take photos then up to the car park area for a few photos.

I then followed the shopping lane back to my guesthouse. I continued on and went into a small supermarket where I spent some time finding ramen suitable for Muslims. All the restaurants I came across had pork in their menu. I then continued on and found an almost-hidden path by the river and walked along it. It was deserted and pretty soon I came across another waterfall. I was sulrprised there was no one else there and I had the place all to myself, unlike the crowded area downstream.

I turned back and walked back to and across Tuwang Bridge. There was a square above some steps and near this square was a stall that sold grilled squid, corn, potatoes. I gave a quick scan, no pork in sight so I ordered some grilled squid. There was a performance at the square then.  I returned to the guesthouse and rested. I ventured out again after evening prayers to take in the night view of Furong. Met a few cats this evening too.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

After morning prayers, I went for a walk around the town. Then I went back the the guesthouse for breakfast and to finish packing. I left at 09:15 and went to  Sanjiaoping to catch a bus. I must’ve missed the bus because I waited until 09:45 and none came so I took a taxi to the Railway Station.

The train left Furong for Fenghuang, the trip took 33 minutes only. At Fenghuang Gucheng, I followed signs for the Tourist Shuttle Bus. The ticket was seven yuan. The trip took twenty minutes and I walked down from Qifeng Square to my hotel.

After checking in and performing prayers, I went to explore Fenghuang (Phoenix) Ancient Town. I spent four hours walking along the river downstream before turning back to follow it back upstream. Just like Furong, I had problems finding a restaurant that doesn’t sell pork. I finally found one that looked like it sold vegetables only and they proposed shredded potatoes. I wasn’t thrilled when I saw it was potatoes sliced thinly and fried. I returned to the hotel after buying some fried prawn pancakes. I’d queued but the locals barged in and I argued that I’d arrived ahead of them. I walked a bit after dark to see the lights before returning to the hotel.

Thursday, 23 October 2025

I wasn’t in the mood to walk around town this morning unlike in Furong. I left and checked out at 09:20 and walked to Qifeng Square. A kind local showed me where to buy the bus ticket. The bus left at 09:40. I sat in the station reading while waiting for the 11:38 train to Changshanan (Changsha South). I met a few Chinese Malaysians in the same train carriage.

From Changsha South Railway Station, I took the subway to Changsha Railway Station. I walked out the station and around the block before taking the subway to the airport. After prayers, I had some tofu for late lunch then did some  reading. After performing evening prayers and freshening up, I went up to departure level to check in for my flight. I was not amused to find that my AMEX had been used fraudulently. Tried calling Maybank but no joy.

I had some ramen before boarding but it was too spicy for me. The plane was supposed to take off at 21:10 but it only pushed off at 21:30. We were served drinks first before they wheeled out dinner but it was either chicken or beef, so k had the fruits, bun and yoghurt instead. I asked for tea and was served Chinese tea.

Friday, 24 October 2025

We landed at almost 02:00. I called Maybank as I was waiting for my bag to appear on the carousel. I stayed at the airport until 05:22 when I took the ERL back.

So that was my solo trip to Yunnan and Hunan. I was amazed how I ever did Zhengzhou and Xian without installing any WeChat, Alipay, eSIM and using Translate app. The locals were kind enough to help me along. I find the people in Yunnan less willing to help visitors out. I still couldn’t log into WeChat as my phone doesn’t accept calls from I stored numbers and to sign into WeChat, it would give me the code by phone call. I had since installed Alipay and linked it to my Wise and for this trip, I decided to use eSIM cards for both phone and iPad because it was a much longer duration than to Zhengzhou and Xian.

The end

Yunnan And Hunan 2025: Part IV

Friday, 17 October 2025

I woke up to the sound of water which turned out to be rain. It rained on and on and finally I summoned enough energy to venture out and find the bus stop for the bus to the railway station. I walked all the way to Regent Hotel and then back again to finish packing. After checking out, I walked back to Regent Hotel and caught bus number 8 to the railway station.

I met a few Chinese Malaysians on the train to Kunming. In Kunming, I took the subway to the airport for my evening flight out to Changsha. I’d made my research and found that it was actually more economical to fly to Changsha instead of taking the high-speed train.

I had some spicy fried potato wedges and tofu for dinner at the airport. Then I performed prayers in a baby care room before walking to my gate.

The plane landed at 21:50 but we had to take buses to the terminal. I rode the metro from the airport to Changsha Railway Station (had to change lines). I had read that the Changsha subway operated only until 22:30 so was happy when the trains were still running until 23:30. I wasn’t keen on spending the night at the train station but I was even less keen to find a hotel and return to the station after five hours. 

Saturday, 18 October 2025

Of course sleep was elusive. I got up at 05:00 and went to perform ablutions. Alhamdulillah, I managed to find a quiet spot for me to perform morning prayers. After prayers, I walked to another waiting room which had just opened for the day for my 06:55 train to Zhangjiajiexi (Zhangjiajie West). I managed to charge my devices in the train although I did change seats (and was enquired by the train staff. I gestured that the woman sitting next to me was coughing and coughing and couldn’t be bothered to cover her mouth).

We reached Zhangjiajiexi and I followed signs to the bus station. I rode a local bus to Tianmen Mountain cable car station. The fare was 2 yuan but I had problems paying with Alipay. A white woman helped pay my fare and I had difficulty trying to pay her back by asking other passengers if they had change. Finally I managed to change my note with another passenger.

I got down and walked to Tianmen Mountain cable car then had to turn back to store my bag. I then joined the long queue for Line A (I’d bought ticket on Klook) to board the cable car. We had to queue outside first, then joined a sitting queue. Then we walked up the stairs and the queue began again. The ride took almost thirty minutes. At the top, I followed the West Line route first until completion before going on the East Line. The weather was dismal. It was raining and we could hardly see anything. Everything was shrouded in fog and mist and everyone was either wearing raincoat or holding umbrellas. Some had shoe covers on and I wondered if they were slippery.

After 90 minutes, I walked to the  cross-mountain escalator and rode the escalators down. Then I walked down 999 steps but the dreary weather meant we didn’t have a view of Tianmen Cave at all.

I then took the cable car down, this is a different cable car altogether and could fit 26 pax compared to the earlier cable car up which could only carry eight pax. From the base, I rode another shuttle bus to the Tianmen Mountain cable car entrance to retrieve my bag. Then I asked for directions where to wait for the bus to Wulingyuan. A kind woman helped me and even hailed the bus (mini van) for me. The fare was 13 yuan and the journey took about 50 minutes.

I got down and walked to my hotel on Wuling Road. The rooms are themed and I was thankful my room was only one flight up and the kind host helped carry my bag up. To my delight, there was a halal restaurant only two doors away from the hotel. After checking in and performing prayers, I ventured out. Dinner was had at another halal restaurant before I walked back to my room.

Sunday, 19 October 2025

I left the hotel after 07:40 this morning and walked to the East Gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park about 12 minutes away from the hotel. I then followed signs for Line A and boarded the shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain cable car. I’d bought ticket via Klook as it was priced slightly better than on Trip.com. I then joined other visitors to queue for the cable car. Once up there, I took another shuttle bus. Well, I actually took the shuttle bus back and then out again. After a frustrating morning (the rain didn’t help improve my mood), I finally trekked the Golden Whip Crag route and then took a shuttle out to East Gate.

I walked back to my hotel and performed prayers before going to the halal restaurant two doors away for dinner. After dinner, I sat down with the host to consult him about Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Yes, I should’ve done it before I left this morning but I didn’t expect to find myself confused. He tried to help me with the Bailong Elevator but because my ticket was purchased on Klook, he advised me to go there early the following morning.

To be continued

Yunnan And Hunan 2025: Part III

Tuesday, 14 October 2025 

I woke up early, showered and performed prayers. After breakfast, I headed out to the bus station to buy ticket to Dali for Thursday. Then I walked to the South Gate of Dayan Ancient Towns to find bus to Shuhe Ancient Town but I was told to go to another road to the north of Dayan. Against my will, I walked through Dayan Ancient Town again until I came upon the Giant Waterwheel. I followed the river then decided to detour a bit to find the mosque seeing as I was already in the vicinity. I had to walk down a road, cross it, walk up and climb a hill to get to the mosque but it was closed and deserted. The gate was opened but there was no sign of life. I peered among the slates and saw that it was indeed a mosque. It wasn’t prayer time yet then but weren’t there any caretakers at least?

I went back to the main road and walked up until I came upon Mao Zedong statue. After asking at a hotel, I went to wait at a bus stop near the statue. The bus came after ten minutes and I paid five yuan for my fare. We reached Shuhe Ancient Town about ten minutes later. I spent about two hours there.

I wanted to have lunch but the Muslim restaurant I went to was closed so I searched for a vegetarian restaurant and what do you know, there was actually one in Shuhe! There were two other Muslim restaurants but I decided to have vegetarian instead so I walked there and after some silent communication via Translator app, agreed to have vegetarian noodles. It came in a big bowl and believe me, I finished it all.

After walking around and stumbling upon photographers taking photos of couples in traditional wedding outfits, I walked out to catch a bus back to Lijiang. The driver let us all out at the bus stop across from Mao Zedong statue so I walked back up to Black Dragon Pool. I don’t know how China does it with its billion of people but everything is clean, orderly and structured. Park keepers are diligent in picking litters and collecting rubbish, and most people are careful and mindful enough not to litter. At Black Dragon Pool, you can enjoy view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and it makes for a special park. The water from the pool runs into the river that flows into Dayan Old Town. It all just made me sigh with contentment.

I decided not to walk through Dayan Ancient Town again so I walked along the main road back to the guesthouse, stopping en route at a fruit market to buy some peaches. I didn’t venture out for dinner - the vegetarian noodles were filling enough - and just had some snacks for dinner.

Wednesday, 15 October 2025  

I left the guesthouse at 06:50 and hurried to the bus station. The 07:00 bus left at 07:05 and went around the city picking up passengers from various points. We reached the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Info Centre at around 08:25 and I went to the Information counter to ask if there were any more tickets to Glacier Park. Only 10,000 visitors are allowed at Glacier Park on any one day and I wasn’t to be one of them but I wasn’t too disappointed. I then followed signs for the bus to Yak Meadow and we had to wait about 15 minutes before we could board the next bus to Yak Meadow. The ride took more than 30 minutes before we reached the base of the cable car. I rode the cable car alone, indeed it could only seat two people comfortably. The cable car ride took another 30 minutes.

I then followed other visitors explore the park. Yak Meadow it may be called but I only saw one white yak. There were some goats pestering some visitors for food. There were signs forbidding us from feeding the wild animals because well, it would mess up with their digestive system, wouldn’t it. Some visitors though were feeding them food.

I walked for an hour around the meadow or park before returning to the cable car station for the cable car down. Before long, I had boarded the bus down. I thought the bus would go to the Information Centre and that I would have to wait for another bus to Blue Moon Valley (which I read from another visitor) but the bus stopped along the way to let visitors to Spruce Meadow down and then stopped at Blue Moon Valley so I happily went down. I walked up before walking down the lakes on the side which had fewer visitors. There are five lakes and they’re among the most beautiful scenery I’d seen in China as they’re set below the majestic and towering beauty of Yulong Snow Mountain. I spent an hour there before leaving.

I took the shuttle bus to the Information Centre and followed signs for bus number 101 back to Lijiang. Everyone was sleepy in the bus in the afternoon heat. The bus dropped us just outside Dayan Old Town so I walked back to my guesthouse. I ventured out again in the early evening to find dinner. 

Thursday, 16 October 2025

I left the guesthouse at 07:40 and walked to the bus station for my 08:00 bus to Dali. Well, the bus actually left at 08:13 and stopped once for the driver to fill up and for us to use the facilities. We reached Dali just before 11:00 and I got down the bus just outside Dali Ancient Town, crossed the road and walked down the pedestrian shopping street which were thronged by shoppers and vendors.

After checking in, I ventured out to explore Dali Ancient Town, one of the few in China that is surrounded by walls. Then I walked on to the Chongsheng Temple and Three-Pagoda area. The three pagodas are the landmark of Dali. I walked in and up the many, many steps within the area to see the complex of temples. It started raining while I was there and it wouldn’t let up for the next few days. I spent exactly two hours there including waiting out the relentless rain.

I returned to the Old Town and bought some food from a halal street vendor. This would be my dinner.

To be continued