Travels and Trekking through Tiger Leaping Gorge

It’s been a busy few weeks since leaving Sanxiang. I’ve vistited Kunming, taken a night bus for 10 hours down to see the Yuanyang rice terraces (truly beautiful!) Sleeper train to Lijiang then onwards for a two day trek through Tiger Leaping gorge... The day began early, leaving Mama Naxi’s guest house after breakfast. We took the bus to the beginning of the trail, leaving our luggage at Jane’s guest house which we would collect at the end. And off we set, a group of seven including Me, Elin, Rich, Dan, a couple from England called Jack and Karen, and a dutch girl called Sera. The first few hours were great, the sun shining, the views amazing. All the while we were followed by a man and his mule, offering to take us, or our bags, for a price. We resisted – I mean, how hard could it be? We stopped for lunch at the Naxi Family guesthouse where we were joined by Hagai, a friend of Sera’s, before tackling the ’28 bends’ which I had been warned about...and it was tough! Steep climb up for about 3 hours...I struggled! By no means am I fit for this kind of hiking! Stopping after every hard part (a great excuse to take photos) we eventually made it to the top. The views were stunning. Absolutely stunning. Vast mountains spreading out for as far as you can see, the muddy water winding far far below us. After a while we continued onwards, and I strode on ahead with Sera and Hagai feeling much better as we got lower down. We walked past the next guesthouse we saw, as I’d had the Halfway recommended to me. However, the others stopped at the Tea Horse one and decided to stay there, meeting us the next day.

The Halfway was another hour and a half trek, and I was relieved to finally rest my aching bones by the time we arrived! Felt much more human again after a hot shower though!!!  The toilet view really was all it was cracked up to be, open walls overlooking the view as you squat down, Chinese style...haha, I am getting used to it (although the communal ones I have come across in service stations are indescribably awful...)

We met up with a group of Israelis who had been at Mamas too. We celebrated Shabbat together, sat on the rooftop terrace – listening to the prayers being said and sharing the red wine whilst listening to music. There were Canadians and Americans also present, all commenting on how surreal the moment was, as you can only imagine! We stayed out until late, talking and eating until I eventually collapsed into bed where I really was asleep as my head hit the pillow!

The next morning was a restful one, padding about barefoot in my pyjamas with Sera and eating pancakes for breakfast whilst waiting for Elin and the others to arrive, taking in our gorgeous surroundings! We all had lunch together finally before beginning the next part of the trek, which I’d been promised would be much easier! We followed winding paths along sharp cliff edges, under trees, past waterfalls and over stony ground. We saw horses and goats making their way along the steep slopes, and there were remote farm buildings with chickens running about. It must be a lonely life living out there so far from the rest of the world! It was great to be able to wander along whilst talking – not quite so breathless today!  Had to say goodbye to Hagai, as he wasn’t joining us for the next part of our journey though. We ended our trek at Tina’s guesthouse, where we were transported back to get of bags, then onto Shangri-la where I am now, in a beautiful hostel in the middle of fields and overlooking mountains. Shangri-la is known for being very Tibetan and I can’t wait to explore tomorrow! I feel very at home here already, they have a big golden retriever called Woody and a tabby cat that looks a little like my Angel cat, though not as cuddly. Better get some rest now – I am fighting to keep my eyes open I am so exhausted! Night xxx

• China
• yunnan
• travel