ONCE a friend told me: "The point of working so hard now is just to make money and live better in the future, but if you live in Yunnan, you can have a good life in an easy way without working crazily and without much money. So why not go there?"

　　But for ordinary people, to quit life in the metropolis is not easy, even if to live in a place as beautiful as Yunnan is a powerful lure. So a journey there may satisfy both demands.

　　The valley of the Binglang River is such a very special place to me. I have decided to live there when I am older, if there is any possibility of doing so.

　　After driving out of Yingjiang County for about 20 kilometres, the road stretches into village scenery. As the car drove along the Binglang River we seemed to fall into a traditional Chinese painting.

　　The water, bamboo, bridges, villages and fields decorated with small yellow flowers wreathed by light fog looked exactly like a picture from a beautiful dream.

　　After rain, all the plants looked energetic and fresh. I was especially surprised to see all the sugarcane fields, which filled the air with a refreshing fragrance.

　　The car arrived at Zhanxi, a big town. It was market day and the stalls stood in rows with local people in colourful ethnic clothes squeezing together in throngs, full of happiness.

　　Some of them came from isolated mountains far away. They shouldered baskets of vegetables and dried fruits which they had brought to change for salt and candies.

　　In a stall selling dresses, two elderly women searched carefully for clothes that suited them. Some women with their faces made up looked at ornaments on the shelves.

　　In a small restaurant nearby, we ordered vegetable soup, chicken and spicy dried fruits. The three of us all felt very satisfied with the meal, and the price - only 32 yuan - made us even happier.

　　Leaving the town, we went to another village, called Zhina, which is located in the upper reaches of the Binglang River, graced with the most beautiful scenes.

　　The village is surrounded by high mountains. Streams starting from the mountain also flow around or pass through the village. Golden flowers adorn the foot of the mountains.

　　In every local village there is a small temple because most people here are Buddhists. one interesting feature is that the temples also serve as meeting places for the village people. If there is something important to be discussed, the village head will beat the drum to collect people to a meeting there. A different beat tells of a different situation. But we were sorry that during our stay there, we didn't hear the drum beating.

　　We found accommodation in the only hotel in the village which is also the most beautiful building there.

　　The hotel is not far from the river. So we strolled to the bank and sat in the evening breeze. Up to now, our lives had been full of bustling, pressure and responsibility.

　　We never know it was possible to live just as we like. But here, in this peaceful place, we didn't need to race against time, we didn't need to think about anything, we left ourselves half a day to do nothing but enjoy the fresh air and the surrounding scenery.

　　The rain was heavy that night. It rattled heavily against the eaves, but the noise seemed only to make the night more calm. All of us had a good sleep.

　　Now the good days have passed for some months, but if someone asked me which place is the most unforgettable among all those I have visited, I would answer without hesitation that the half-day spent in Zhina was the best experience.