Live Your Best Lives
It was lunchtime when we arrived at Dukezong Ancient Town. Everyone agreed to eat their fill before exploring, so we walked through the old town and found a Sichuan restaurant. Perhaps we were so happy with the smooth start to our trip that we forgot to put away our chopsticks and scurried off.
Trying to digest our food, we wandered through the old town, heading towards Guishan Park, the highest point. At just over 3,300 meters above sea level, we felt like we were at 5,000 meters. Everyone made excuses: we'd eaten too much at lunch.
From a distance, I spotted the massive golden prayer wheel standing in the park. It's said to be the largest and heaviest in the world, but I clearly remember the one at Niangma Temple in Gannan being even bigger. I haven't really checked it out, so I'm skeptical.
But this prayer wheel is truly incredibly heavy. Even with the combined efforts of five of us, it wouldn't budge. We finally gave up and walked around it three times as a way of praying.
Snow-capped mountains began to come into view along the way, starting with the vast expanse of Baima Mountain. As dusk approached, the Meili Snow Mountain joined the view. Sitting in the passenger seat, I enjoyed the unobstructed view while also shouldering the "heavy burden" of capturing the beautiful scenery for everyone in the car. I wished I had eight eyes and four hands.
We arrived at our accommodation before dark and checked into the Pearl Laka View Hotel, which offers a stunning view of Feilai Temple. The downside to the view is that it's located on a high floor. A minor complaint about the hotel owner's arrogance is that, since most accommodations here don't have elevators and are located at a considerable altitude, our request for help with our luggage was ruthlessly refused. Finally, our tour leader helped us carry our suitcases to our rooms. Before I could even pack, I headed straight for the hotel rooftop, hoping to catch the view in time. Despite my cold hands and feet, I snapped my favorite photo of the Meili Snow Mountain in the afterglow. As the sun set, the peaks were even more vividly outlined, and the crescent moon, imprinted on the upper left corner of Goddess Peak, was both chilling and breathtaking. The tour leader happened to be on the balcony, resulting in the following video.
I took a lot of photos, but finally couldn't stand the cold wind anymore. I returned to the room, warmed up, and went out to find food. The other brothers and sisters in the group said they didn't want to eat dinner, so it was just me and the tour leader. Because Feilai Temple is mainly built for tourists, there are not many food options and they are relatively expensive. Most of them are yak soup pots. So we found a restaurant nearby that we liked and had some noodles.
It was a perfect day. I was looking forward to opening my eyes and drawing the curtains to see the golden mountain in the sun tomorrow morning!
src="https://dimg04.c-ctrip.com/images/0100j12000agm1lni9587_R_800_10000_Q90.jpg?proc=autoorient" /> After taking photos of the sunrise over Jinshan Mountain, our leader gathered everyone for breakfast and packed our bags. Next, we headed to Yubeng, where my favorite part of the hike began.
We continued walking alongside Meili Snow Mountain, but we didn't get tired of it at all, and couldn't stop snapping photos with our phones. It took about an hour to drive to Xidang Parking Lot. The original plan was to hike into the village, a distance of about 12 kilometers. The woman in our group didn't want to walk, and we'd seen online posts suggesting that taking a bus to Yubeng would be more convenient. The hiking route offered no scenery and we'd be sharing the road with cars almost the entire way, so we decided to abandon our original plan. Our leader took us all on an off-road vehicle, reluctantly paying the 200 yuan per person fare. A small, dust-covered off-road vehicle had room for seven of us, and it wouldn't move until it was full. The dust flew up like crazy when the doors opened and closed! The bumpy 10-kilometer journey took 30 to 40 minutes. Halfway through, we saw fellow hikers "eating" the dust kicked up by the vehicles. While we felt sorry for them, we also lamented our wise decision, saying it was a good idea to spend some of the "wasted money." After reaching the Shang Yubeng drop-off point, it took another 10 minutes to walk to the village, nestled at the foot of the mountain. Our room faced Shennv Peak, allowing us to converse with it up close. After a brief rest, we checked into our hotel and ordered a chicken hotpot, our first big meal of the trip. Gazing out at the surrounding snow-capped mountains through the large glass windows, I watched steam rise from the hotpot on the table inside. After a few bowls of chicken soup, I was filled with bliss!
We were so full that lunch ended at almost 2 p.m. We had plenty of free time, so our tour guide led us toward the glacial lake as a training exercise to lay the foundation for the hikes in the following days.
The trail was dotted with ancient trees. Curiously, I asked the tour guide about the route. From a distance, I saw a tree covered in pink flowers, but he couldn't name it. As we got closer, we realized it wasn't a flower, but rather round fruits similar to lotus seeds, in shades of pink and white, very beautiful.
There were also an abundance of sea buckthorn berries, packed with vitamin C. I begged the guide to pick a small one. The sour taste tinged my mouth, and I felt instantly sober!
Perhaps my team leader and I were walking too fast, and the two sisters fell behind. My companion, Brother Wang, was still following closely behind, and the distance between us gradually widened as we climbed in altitude. We walked nearly 3 kilometers to the first rest shelter. Halfway through, we encountered some slippery, icy sections. We stopped and asked our friends in the group chat how they were doing. My sister, Guangdong, said they couldn't go any further and were turning back, so I reminded her to take photos and share them. Half an hour later, Wang replied, saying they had just taken a fork and were heading back. My leader and I continued our ascent. We passed people returning from the glacial lake and asked why we'd just gone up. They reminded us it was getting late and that it would be unsafe to return. We explained that we were just strolling around and had no intention of reaching the end. We soon reached Xiaonong Pass, where there's an observation deck with a direct view of Jiangjun Peak. We planned to stop there. The people returning also said there was no need to go any further, as the path was bad and the glacial lake was only the size of a pond. At this point, we'd walked for 1.5 hours, 4 kilometers, and gained 450 meters in elevation. That's a pretty good pace.
After teasing the little squirrel that climbed over the observation deck for a while (I said teasing, but actually I just threw the apple core in my hand to it. I didn’t dare to get close to it because I was a little scared), we started to return to the village.
That evening, the team leader shared the next day’s hiking route and related precautions in the group chat. The Cordyceps sinensis route, which friends had repeatedly recommended, was finally here!
While having breakfast, my older brother and sister said that after looking at the hiking data they had shared the night before, they felt it was too difficult and worried they wouldn’t be able to persevere, so they decided not to take the Cordyceps sinensis route. They wandered around the village on their own.
So it was just me and my leader again. After breakfast, I rented two pairs of trekking poles from the store (thanks to them, I was able to complete the rest of the hike) and prepared to set off.
Because our leader had laid out the trails in advance, we decided to avoid the usual route and instead took a shortcut up the back mountain of Yubeng. And so, facing the rising sun at 8:30, we began our hike.
The path up the mountain was not only steep but also rarely used, with the trail mostly covered by leaves, making it prone to landslides. Trekking poles were invaluable. I didn't bring any hiking shoes this time, so I climbed up and down the mountain in my old sneakers the entire time. A true example of ignorance and fearlessness! As we trudged forward two steps, one step back, our leader kept a steady hand from behind, using his trekking pole to keep me from slipping. After about two and a half hours of walking and resting, we finally joined the regular trail (roughly at the mountainside), and it was only then that we saw the first signs of human life. A group of people who had taken the bus to Nanzheng Pass came up. The guide encouraged one of them to keep going, and during the conversation, we learned that two of them had fallen behind due to exhaustion. We soon passed them, and a short stretch of flat road gave me a chance to catch my breath. Nearing the point where the mountainside meets the ridge, the view gradually opened up. Amidst a chorus of "wows," I followed my leader's voice and stopped here to rest and restock. It was the first time I'd ever thought ham sausage could be so delicious! I highly recommend the sucking jelly; it's an absolute must-have on the hike; one sip makes you feel refreshed! After a satisfying meal and a drink, our leader helped me carry my backpack, and we continued towards the ridgeline.
The ridgeline is approximately 4,200 meters above sea level. As we ascend, we encounter some narrow, rocky paths that can be challenging to navigate, so please be careful. This is not recommended for those afraid of heights.
From here, the snow-capped mountains were our constant companion. Standing beside Goddess Peak and the Five Crowns, the scenery is truly magnificent!
From the ridgeline to the summit platform, there's another 300 meters of elevation gain. The sunny side reveals bare mountainside with sparse vegetation, while the shady side is covered in unmelted snow. We passed wave after wave of people along the way, and our tour leader praised our impressive performance.
We finally arrived a little after 2:00 PM. The summit platform wasn't crowded at the moment, and here, snow-capped mountains surrounded me on all sides. I can't find words to describe my awe and deepest emotion. It's an experience you can't truly experience from words or pictures unless you're there in person! Truly, the most breathtaking scenery is on the perilous peaks! After jumping around and taking photos for a while, I finally felt cold. I continued to refuel and devoured most of the food I brought up... I heard a familiar voice in the distance. Looking over, it was indeed the girl I met at Feilai Temple. After I greeted her, she enthusiastically started taking photos of me. Then, they began their descent.
After reaching Nanzheng Pass, we reached the road we mentioned yesterday, traveling by car. This was the point where I once again felt the wisdom of taking the car into the village. After that, we ate dirt non-stop for nearly an hour.
During this time, the road was dominated by not only SUVs with people in them, but also pickup trucks carrying renovation materials into the village. Car after car passed by, dust and exhaust fumes filling the air. Every part of my body smelled of dust. I even fell...
At 6:15, we finally arrived back at our accommodation. Looking at my phone, the sister in the group chat asked us how we were doing, eager for us to post photos.
Nearly 10 hours, 14.5 kilometers, and 1,300 meters of elevation gain—a perfect end to a fulfilling and arduous day.
Xia Yubeng isn't as well-developed as Shang Yubeng, with many areas still under construction. Our tour guide told us we'd booked a hotel run by an elderly couple from Guangdong. Before checking in, we'd assumed they were a sentimental, artistic couple, lazily sitting by the fireplace, brewing coffee and reading.
Once inside, it became clear that time has flown by, especially with the harsh climate and inconvenient transportation. They built the hotel from scratch during the pandemic, and they had to do everything themselves, so there was no such thing as a peaceful and tranquil life.
Most of the guests were from the owner's hometown, and hearing the Cantonese-heavy conversation made me think I'd been transported to Guangdong. After a brief chat with the owner, we unpacked and prepared to set off. My sister from Jiangsu, fearing she'd been delayed, decided early on to rent a mule. The leader, along with Brother Wang, my sister from Guangdong, and me, set off first. After yesterday's experience, I'm afraid I've gotten too cocky. Today, I packed light, even skipping my trekking poles. Indeed, I was right. By the end, I discovered that the Shenpu Trail is the most thoroughly renovated of all the Yubeng hiking trails, paved entirely with concrete. For someone like me who easily turns my trekking poles into crutches, concrete is a real pain. I joked, "The ceiling's gone first; today feels like a stroll." While it wasn't as easy as a stroll, it wasn't strenuous at all. The only tiring part was the staircase, about a kilometer or so near the end, which was constantly climbing. The leader kept reminding me to slow down and wait for my companions. I didn't even bother walking properly, insisting on navigating the small dirt paths nearby. He accompanied me up and down. Brother Wang and Sister Guangdong walked obediently along the cement path. After walking a little further, we heard the sound of bells approaching, knowing it was Sister Jiangsu arriving on her mule. They paused briefly to greet us as we continued on our way. Passing a large wall of prayer flags, we reached the end of the hike, just after 11 a.m. A frozen waterfall clung to the rocks, maintaining its flowing shape. Colorful prayer flags fluttered nearby. Looking up, the frozen water at the top of the mountain occasionally broke apart, releasing chunks of ice. Fearing we might be hit, the tour leader repeatedly reminded us not to approach and to simply stand on the slope in front and take photos. The tour leader and Brother Wang surveyed the surroundings, sighing for a moment before stopping for a break and lunch at the nearby White Pagoda. The two sisters happily snapped photos for a while.
When the tour leader called for the return trip, the two women were still engrossed in taking photos. I helped snap a group photo along the way. They've been colleagues and close friends for over 20 years. I really envy having friends like them who can travel with you at any time.
The return trip was even easier. To accommodate the locals, the Jiangsu woman still hired mules, but the mule train's starting point was about 1 or 2 kilometers beyond the Divine Waterfall, so we walked together for a while.
We passed a spring along the way, and everyone filled their water bottles. The women went back to make coffee, and Wang went back to make tea. I just sat back and enjoyed the water, hahaha.
Since it was still early and we didn't want to spend the entire afternoon at the hotel, our tour leader and I headed up the hillside near the rest stop to catch some sun and some fresh air. The older brothers and sisters naturally opted to return to the village.
We took the remaining food and lay down on the ground. The highland sun was fierce after all, and it didn't take long for us to get scorched.
The clouds shifted rapidly, creating the perfect opportunity for a time-lapse video. The cracks in the Five Crowns Peak across from us looked like chimneys; whose stove was burning? Later, our tour leader posted this time-lapse video on his WeChat Moments, captioning: "Is someone cooking behind the mountain?" Many people commented, not realizing it was the ever-changing clouds that were causing the problem. Unable to withstand the scorching midday sun, we finished our last snacks and staggered down the mountain.
Unable to withstand the scorching midday sun, we finished our last snacks and staggered down the mountain. By this time, more people were heading toward the Divine Waterfall. Seeing we were already on our way back, they seemed concerned, asking how far we were from reaching the destination. We always responded with encouragement. Near the village entrance is the first "attraction" on this route: Five Trees Under One Root. I forgot to mention we saw it when we set out this morning. A group of five friends were there and asked us to take a photo at the sign. We didn't take a closer look, so we just took their photo and walked on. Only after returning to the spot did our leader and I take the time to explore. The so-called "Five Trees Under One Root" actually refers to five trees—sea buckthorn, mountain birch, and red birch—growing together. The red birch has emerged from the sea buckthorn's main trunk, and the mountain birch has grown on the sea buckthorn's branches. The wonders of nature are evident everywhere here. After spending a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon exploring the mysteries of nature, it was almost dinner time when we strolled back to the village. The two sisters opted for light meals and chose to eat separately from us. The tour leader called Brother Wang, and the three of us had dinner at our accommodation. The next day, we were leaving the village. I remembered I hadn't done the nucleic acid test in the days since we were here, and I realized I was missing something. I asked the host, and he told me the village only offers tests on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, and the results are slow to come back. Tomorrow was only Thursday, and we definitely wouldn't be able to make it if we were leaving early in the morning. Another small incident also occurred: The tour leader, who was monitoring the epidemic prevention situation in the areas we were planning on, learned that Shangri-La had experienced an outbreak and entry was prohibited. He decided to take us directly to Deqin People's Hospital the next day for nucleic acid testing (results from the hospital are faster), and then check in to Deqin, or we could adapt to the situation as needed. And so, after a few days of relaxation, our nerves began to lift again. But this time, everyone felt less nervous, believing that there would always be a way forward.
Never mind. We still had to hike out of the village tomorrow, another tough battle. The team leader warned us in advance: unlike the three-day hike, the Ninon Gorge hike out of the village was a one-way street. Once you set out, you had to make it to your destination. Jiangsu My sister was afraid she couldn't make it, so she suggested taking a car. With that, everyone dispersed to their rooms to rest.
(Sharing today’s hiking data)
After finishing the photoshoot and returning to our accommodation for lunch, my sister excitedly called out to the tour leader: she wasn't going to take the car anymore. She'd been thinking about it all night and decided to walk with us. The tour leader, worried, repeatedly confirmed, and after receiving a positive response, he said he'd pull her along if she couldn't walk.
My sister was carrying a heavy bag, so the tour leader helped both sisters pack their backpacks, and we set off together. It wasn't easy! Finally, we all made it through the hike together.
Perhaps everyone was worried about Jiangsu's sister's stamina, so the tour leader told me to lead the way, while he followed behind. Brother Wang gave my sister his trekking pole, and the tour leader taught her how to use it to leverage her strength. Walking ahead, I took this photo. Watching my sister, learning to use her trekking poles, finally become completely untraceable, just like me back then, I couldn't help but burst into goose-like laughter (sorry for the loud laughter, hahaha). The Nylon Canyon trail is also entirely concrete. After walking about a third of the way, the remaining two-thirds is a narrow path, about one meter wide. There are many long, steep and gentle downhill slopes. My shoes were too slippery, so I had to tread slowly along the cliff face. After my anxious sister fell once, the tour leader repeatedly urged us to walk slowly and steadily. Perhaps not wanting us to wait, my sister told us it was okay to go ahead and they would catch up slowly. The canyon scenery is beautiful: the gurgling stream, the crimson and yellow autumn colors, and the pine cones scattered everywhere. So, despite the distance, it didn't feel long. After more than two hours of trekking, we arrived at the only rest stop along the way: the Secret Realm Inn. There were free rest booths and hot water along the roadside, and groups of pedestrians stopped here to rest. The sisters arrived shortly after. The sister complained about blisters on her feet. The tour leader checked and found her hiking shoes were too loose, so he retightened them for her. I mean, where can you find such a thoughtful and considerate tour leader? Haha! After unloading our packs, we shared snacks. Wang's Snickers came in handy again. After a brief rest, we got back on the trail. The tour leader encouraged us, saying we were doing great and had already covered most of the way quickly, so we should be able to finish in just over an hour. The trail ahead was flat, but it continued with cliff after cliff until the end. The canyon roared and echoed, its depth unseen. Some sections of the path were completely unprotected, and even though I'd overcome my fear of heights, I still felt intimidated. I simply clung to the guide's bag straps and scrambled along the wall, not daring to look. This was a road often used by villagers on motorcycles. I admired their courage, but I was also concerned about their safety.
The food was served and the boss also brought us some homemade wine to taste. Just as we finished eating, the tour leader drove back and bought a big bottle of wine from the boss before leaving.
We set off again for Deqin, stopping briefly at Wunongding on the way to take some more photos of Meili. The mountain with Feilai Temple in the foreground only highlighted Meili's majesty. However, the clouds were too thick when we arrived, so we left before the main peak was visible and continued on our way.
We arrived at Deqin People's Hospital at 3:30 to have a nucleic acid test. Worried that the results wouldn't be available in time, we kept the nucleic acid test receipt in case we needed to stay at a hotel. Shangri-La was unable to enter. In order to shorten the time on the road the next day, the team leader proposed to stay in Benzilan tonight. Around 6 o'clock, we arrived in Benzilan and looked at two hotels intermittently. One refused because they were full that night (we speculated that it was because of the tense epidemic), and the other was embarrassed because we did not have 24-hour nucleic acid testing (although we explained that we had done so and were waiting for the results). Without waiting for the boss's reply, we found another hotel, explained the situation to the boss and checked in smoothly. There is a restaurant on the first floor of the hotel, and my brother and sister had another day without dinner. The leader and I went out for a walk and bought some fruits, but we chose to go back here and order two dishes. We poured two glasses of wine bought in the afternoon to celebrate that this twists and turns of the day were finally over.
It takes nearly 4 hours to drive from Lijiang to Stone Town, which is less than 140 kilometers. You can predict how bad the road conditions will be.
The first half of the journey was on a winding asphalt road, which was fine. We drove to Dadong Township at around 2 o'clock and had lunch at a local farm restaurant. After that, we continued driving to Baoshan Township. The road soon turned into a potholed dirt road and a gravel road. We were half driving and half repairing the road. Around 4:30, we saw a few cars parked randomly on the slightly open road ahead. As we approached, someone signaled us to stop. After asking, we learned that due to construction, we would not be able to pass until 6 o'clock. I found out that this road has been under construction for two or three years (I couldn’t laugh or cry). There are currently restricted access times every day: before 7 a.m., from 11 noon to 1 p.m., and after 6 p.m.
We still have to wait for more than an hour, so we pass the time by searching for fruit snacks in the car. The leader got out of the car and took a look at the surrounding environment. The sister in the back row was very sleepy, Brother Wang looked a little helpless, and I just focused on eating.
When I was bored, the sound of musical instruments suddenly sounded outside. Through the car window, I saw a person dressed like a construction team dancing and playing an unknown musical instrument. I was so happy! The team leader guessed that this should be the local Naxi people.
At 5:58, the car in the front row started! I finally made it through, but the rest was not easy. About 30 kilometers were covered in mud. Trucks were coming from opposite directions on the not-so-wide road from time to time. In some areas, it was even impossible to miss the train. The whole process made the team leader lose his temper! It was hard work for him as a part-time driver this time. The road was even harder to navigate in the dark. Fortunately, he was good at driving. He hurriedly arrived at the parking lot at 7:40. It was said that the parking lot was actually an open space at the entrance of the village.
It takes more than ten minutes to walk from the destination. Shi Toucheng is indeed well-deserved. There are stone paved roads up and down. It is difficult to walk. The boss reminded us in advance not to take the suitcases and just pack some toiletries. We arrived at the inn while exploring. The small courtyard was full of guests having dinner, and it was very lively.
After checking the information, I found out that this is a village located on a rock of about 0.5 square kilometers. Most of the more than 100 households are Naxi. "He" and "Mu" are the two major surnames here. The village is located in the canyon of the Jinsha River, with mountains on three sides and a river on one side. The terrain is difficult and access can only be achieved by walking.
The innkeepers are a simple and enthusiastic mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. We arrived late and there were no dishes left, so we simply fried the homemade konjac and green vegetable soup for dinner. The boss told us that if we want to eat here tomorrow, we need to tell them in advance. The transportation is inconvenient. Basically, we can eat whatever is available in the field, which is quite good. It has been a long time since we have eaten such home-cooked food.
The small courtyard under the Chaoyang is warm and gentle, and the sweet potato porridge, white water eggs, and fried pancakes will warm your stomach. The team leader told us about today’s arrangements. My brother and sister all had air tickets on the 4th (the next day), so we had to rush back to Lijiang today. Due to the time restrictions on the entry and exit of road construction vehicles mentioned above, we expected to leave the village at 2 or 3 o’clock after lunch and queue up early to wait for the traffic to open. So you only have one morning to play, so free time! The brother and sister didn't want to go far, so the team leader suggested that they visit the ancient houses in the village and learn about Naxi culture.
The leader and I wandered around separately, but ended up meeting each other at the end of the village. Looking down is a pier on the Jinsha River. Ahead is a plank road, one side leading to the dock and the other side unknown. Curious, we walked all the way to another village, which was sparsely populated. I remembered what my boss said because of the traffic congestion. Most of the young people here were working outside or studying with their children in the city, leaving only the elderly at home. If conditions permit, some will move their families to live in the city.
Walking in the fields, looking east and west like a "treasure hunt", I saw yellow fruit trees, orange trees, grapefruit trees, pomegranate trees, and other unknown fruit trees.
We reached a main road and looked back at the villages we passed one after another. We could clearly see that the villages were born out of stones. Looking ahead was one mountain forest after another. The outdoor leader became interested and looked at the map on his mobile phone to see if there were any hiking routes. Sure enough, there is a one-day classic route to Taiziguan and a three-day route to Lugu Lake. But we had to give up as we were about to return at noon.
The unyielding tour leader took me up a hill, overlooking the Jinsha River, which was peaceful and magnificent.
We couldn’t miss the opening time. It happened that the sisters in the group sent us a message asking us when we would go back to the inn for dinner. We went back angrily as we were not fully satisfied.
Back at the inn, while waiting for lunch, I chatted with the owner’s mother-in-law in the courtyard. She was so hospitable that she even brought out dried fruits to entertain us. A table of guests from Beijing next door were drinking and eating. The boss said it was the liquor brewed by her mother-in-law. My sister was attracted to taste it and after the meal, she took 5 pounds of it with her.
It was still early before the departure time. My brother and sister said that they were moving slowly, so they proposed to leave first and then wander around the village. The team leader took this time to take a lunch break, and I waited for him.
At nearly 3 o'clock, when we were walking to the parking lot, the team leader received a call from my sister saying that she had just met villagers at the entrance of the village and told them that the mountain road was blasted today and that vehicles would not be allowed to pass starting in the afternoon. They would not be able to pass until after 7 o'clock tomorrow night. He also added that the village had issued this notice a few days ago. The team leader called the innkeeper to learn about the situation: It turned out to be true. The boss apologized and said that he had forgotten that the blasting was today and did not inform us.
Fortunately, there is a boat at the pier, so the team leader quickly contacted us. Due to the lack of tourists, the boats do not have fixed travel time. If necessary, we can charter a boat and set off at any time. There is no problem in a small boat for 3 people. A trip to Kuzhi Pier costs 500 yuan. Here comes a new problem: 1. The pier and the parking lot are completely opposite directions. To go to the pier, you have to go back to the village and go to the other side. The two sisters’ 30-inch suitcases are still in the car. They can’t carry them up the stone steps. I asked the inn owner to hire donkeys who work in the village to carry the suitcases. 2. It’s still a 2-hour drive from the pier to Lijiang. How to find a car? The resourceful tour leader looked for the contact information of restaurants near the pier on the map and asked if they had chartered services. After searching two restaurants in a row, he found someone who was willing to help contact the driver. It was resolved smoothly, and the brothers and sisters finally settled down.
I was not in a hurry to leave, so I stayed with the leader and waited for the road to clear before going out.
We had to send off our brothers and sisters, and we had to find another place to live (there were not many accommodations in the village, and the owner’s house that we stayed at yesterday was full), so we stayed at a nearby house in the village entrance square of Shitoucheng.
At early 7 o'clock, the brothers and sisters arrived and checked into the hotel in Lijiang.
At this point, their trip is over. Under the siege of the epidemic, various variables occurred along the way. Fortunately, everyone had a peaceful mind and understood the emergencies caused by these force majeure factors. Everyone was grateful to the team leader for his bold and correct judgments at various decision-making moments, which ensured the success of our journey. Compared to many friends who were suddenly advised to return or blocked on the road, we were so lucky to have successfully set off and finally arrived! It's hard to have such a profound travel experience again.
After passing through Yanshuangluo Village, we entered the mountain. Looking back at the village built on a heart-shaped rock, it was quiet and peaceful.
After a section of the trail, there is a cross-cutting mountain road. Looking at my stumbling little old lady, you can tell how dangerous the hiking path is. I met the old lady who went to the mountain to collect firewood and came back. She sighed that she still needs to live her life in this way. How can the safety of the old man be guaranteed?
Although the leader has set the hiking track, due to the niche nature of this route, some of the walking trails are not obvious and it is easy to go wrong. Therefore, we remind novice hikers or friends who are walking alone not to try it easily. Safety is the first priority.
When we reached a pile of rocks, we ran into trouble. The leader went ahead to explore the path and ordered me to wait where I was. It was a bit difficult to walk in the direction of the track. After a few trials and errors, I found a path that could be crossed, and followed the leader.
More than an hour later, we arrived at Laohuzui. From here to the 60-meter cave is the essence of this route. The mountains are winding and dangerous, and the scenery is magnificent.
We stopped to take a lot of photos and then moved forward contentedly. We met the "figures" who gave us directions. We stopped to say hello and thank them and told them about our journey in the morning. They were so excited that they were afraid of driving the wrong way. They parked the car halfway down the road early and started hiking, taking many unnecessary steps. Then we promised to pick them up on our return trip. After the appointment, we walked together for a short while and then left at our own pace, without leaving any contact information.
We arrived at the 60-meter cave and marveled at the greatness of the working people! This miraculous project is no less than "The Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains". After liberation, the people of Baoshan and Fengke townships worked together to dig through Taiziguan and dig two large artificial holes of 60 meters and 90 meters respectively to open up this pedestrian path.
Another fierce slap, spinning and jumping at the entrance of the cave, very happy.
Go out of the cave to find a cool and ventilated place. It's time to replenish energy. In such a majestic pass with mountains and rivers, I felt awe of nature while eating.
It was past 2 o'clock, and we still wanted to continue walking to the 90-meter hole. We discussed with the team leader, and based on safety considerations (my shoes were too slippery, the road behind was not easy to walk) suggested that we retreat. The end point is not the goal. That's okay, we can walk slowly and enjoy the scenery on the way back.
When I came, I just looked forward, ignoring the unique autumn colors of the forest behind me. The meandering Jinsha River was full of colorful forests.
Slowly and leisurely, we descended to the entrance of the village at around 4 o'clock. At this time, we remembered that we didn't leave the phone number of our mountain companion, so we couldn't miss the appointment, so we had to wait. At 5 o'clock, I finally saw people in the mountains. I saw 3 people first, then 2 people appeared, and then I saw 1 person behind me. I was still worried about overloading, and I was thinking about what to say. The leader reassured me not to worry, and we would discuss it later when they arrived.
As we were almost there, the team leader started the car as a joke, making them think we were about to run away hahaha. After turning around, they came over to greet us, saying that they had picked up three trekking friends on the road from Shangyangliu. Before we could say anything, two of them said that they were going to Shitucheng on foot to make up the 20 kilometers for today, so they stopped taking the car with us. One of them, the eldest brother, really couldn't walk so he stayed with us. We wondered if they saw that they couldn't sit down and didn't want to embarrass us, but they repeatedly refused and walked over immediately. Seeing that they were professional and strong hikers, we didn't try to stay. He told them to pay attention to safety and make an appointment to meet in Shi Toucheng in the evening to have dinner together.
After about an hour's drive, we returned to Shi Toucheng at early 6 o'clock. We simply packed up at the accommodation and went to the dining place to meet up. Soon the two hikers arrived. It's been a long time since we had a lively dinner party with a large table. We all chatted happily, chatting about the various twists and turns of our recent travels, our experiences, and our past. It turns out they are all powerful gods!
The night is quiet and starry, and the journey must come to an end on such a friendly and pleasant night. I'll go back to Lijiang tomorrow. It's a long journey and I'll see you again, friends.
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