We headed out early from our lovely Gao Ke Inn in Lijiang to find the streets empty at 7am except for schoolkids heading for class. Cobblestone streets all to ourselves. Nice. Caught the 9:10am bus to Tiger Leaping Gorge (3hrs) and followed the Yangtze to Quiatou where the hike begins. Gorgeous blue sky again (everyday since the start of our trip!).
Well, right from the start the mountain scenery was the best I'd ever seen. Really. Yulong Xueshan's north side at 5500m is composed of eight peaks, creating a visually stunning display for the Gorge's entire hike. Not that we did the two day hike, we opted for the baby gorge hike (Tiger Cub Pouncing Gorge) instead, as we're gettin' old, ya know. 2 1/2 hours up to a Naxi village area and 1 1/2hrs down again, with an obligatory beer stop, of course, at the Sunrise Small House Guesthouse under a sheltering vine covered canopy which offered an emergency respite from the searing mountain sunshine! All travelers have gleamed from the hike, it is really a must see up in these parts.
After a bit of a harrowing journey home (wild minivan in half the time!) , wiped out legs didn't stop us from wandering the streets again...this time to the north square which is stunningly lit up and offers views of many of the rooftops also lit up (no wonder China needs to build mega dams with their fondness of lights). Then, after watching a woman peel silkworm pupae from cocoons and stretch them over hoops, a Bai orchestra from Baisha started up a free concert for all of us...and just like the Naxi orchestra, they talk a bit too much! Wandered the lantern lit streets to our favourite restaurant for a lovely rooftop dinner....our last in Lijiang (tears.....).
Laundry day, and off to the Yuan Yuang rice terraces by bus and train and bus and bus....here we go!
