– The City –
Chinese Air Force jet fighters have replaced P-38s and P-51s.
Elaborate statue at entrance to airport, but no one could explain it’s meaning or history
Bicycles and mopeds are in abundance
Large, decorative “tourist” jade shop just outside the airport …. we skipped it because our guide knew another to take us to.
Downtown Kunming as seen from hotel window
Downtown Kunming as seen from hotel window
Welcome to the Palace Hotel
Atrium lobby
Magnificent centerpiece of fresh flowers
The ancient city gates have been restored after having been destroyed in Mao’s cultural revolution
Meeting with city officials
Public school dedicated to the Flying TIgers and Over the Hump Flight
Memorial marker
Donors list
Down this rather uninspiring alley was one of the best restaurants of the entire trip
– The China End of the Burma Road –
Memorial marker at the official end of the Burma Road in China
Officially known as the “Zero Kilometer” of the Dian Mian Highway
A smaller scale replica of the massive rollers pulled by teams of laborers to compress the road and airfield runways
Our turn to set out on the road … what a change from 1945
A small change in road quality
Still carries a mix of modern and traditional vehicles
A few potholes to avoid
No lane markers, traffic goes where it needs to to avoid holes, dusty, but still pales in comparison.
A government statue to honor laborers
Site of 14th Air Force Headquarters under the command of General Chennault
Decorative panel on interior room doors
Decorative panel on interior room doors
– Memorial to Over-the-Hump Flight –
The Hump Monument atop the highest hill in Kunming.
It draws large numbers of Chinese visitors
Including a Chinese pilot who took part in flying supplies over the Hump
Dedication plague at the base of the monument
A brief ceremony honoring our Tiger Dad’s
Visiting with other tourists
Sign at the base of the stairs at the entrance to them monument.
Glass enclosed panels tell the story of over the Hump flight …
opening the Burma Road …
and construction of airfields for American forces.
Group photo of Chinese and American pilots who flew the Hump
Wreckage of a plane and crew that didn’t make it.
Recreation of flyers instructing Chinese in care and assistance of downed American flyers.
A collection of logos and airplane nose art associated with the Flying Tigers.
– The Jade Merchants –
Group photo outside the local jade store recommended by our guide
Permission was obtained from the “tour company” to deviate from our itinerary and we only had a small window of opportunity
But it was well worth it. These are the owners.
The man in the vest ran from home to the store when he learned we were there.
The shop historically got their raw jade from India over the Burma Road, until it was closed.
They were thrilled to meet the descendants of the men who opened the Burma Road and enabled them to resume their business.
Fairwell dinner at Palace Hotel. The owners of the jade shop were given copy #2 of the painting. “Keep them flying over CBI”, signed by the Tiger tour group.
The jade merchants signed a copy #1 of the painting for the owners of the original painting.
The #2 print now hangs behind the main display counter in the jade shop.
– The Dragon Monastery –
– Wedding Day in Kunming –
A Chinese wedding is truly a public event.
