The main activity around Songpan is the numerous horse
treks that are on offer. Dozens of company representatives
will be vying for your business so be careful to choose the
one with the best reviews and best quality for your money. Shun Jiang is the original horse trek company and all
who go on their trips come back with only accolades for their
experience. The treks vary in number of days but generally
cost 60 Yuan ($7.50) a day. This price is all-inclusive and
a group of guides will pack the horses, cook the food and
help set up the tents for you. A small price to pay for an
amazing experience.
Before you set out on your trek early one morning, get a
good night's sleep at one of the travellers hotels in the
area. Most stay at the Songzhou Hotel. Don't expect
much for hot water though, let alone much water for bathing
at all. In fact, it will probably be awhile before you get
completely clean since a shower will be hard to come by on
the trek as well. Due to the popularity of the spot for trekking,
a few restaurants can be found that offer English menus and
decent food to fortify you before your send off.
Lijang River
A 40 mile section of the Lijang River from Guilin to Yangshuo holds China's most photographed and beautiful
limestone formations, described as karst scenery.
These peaks dominate the skyline and parade down the river
attracting and astonishing millions of visitors. Just like
any other water source in China, the people who live along
the banks of the Li have relied on the river for more than
its scenery but for what it provides to sustain their existence.
Since limestone is quite malleable, the peaks have been shaped
by the weather into unusual formations. The locals have adopted
a name for almost every rock formation. One example, Elephant
Trunk Hill, which rightly resembles a large elephant taking
a long drink, guards the western bank of the Lijang River.
Along with great photo opportunities, these peaks offer excellent
rock climbing locations and numerous cave networks throughout
the area to try your hand at potholing. The villagers
used these labyrinths of caves during World War II to hide
from the invading Japanese armies.
Yangshou
An anomaly in the southwest of China, Yangshou serves as
a welcome treat to western visitors travelling through this
region. Almost everyone speaks some level of English and the
main tourist strip of West Street spills over with
hotels and restaurants serving western food or showing Hollywood
movies. A multitude of internet cafes fill the gaps in between
shops allowing you to keep in touch with what is happening
at home or to read up on the latest news while sipping a great
cup of coffee.
What attract all these tourists to Yangshou are of course
the magnificent karst surroundings that the Chinese
claim is the most beautiful scenery in the world. One of the
better-known scenic spots is Moon Hill, just a short
ride outside of the town. The limestone pyre is so named because
of the large moon shaped hole at its peak, which takes on
different shapes of the moon cycle, from crescent all the
way to full, depending on your point of view.b After the hefty
800-stair climb to the summit, you will be rewarded with spectacular
views of the surrounding areas. Jagged peaks jut up through
square upon square of rice paddy fields and specs of civilizations
dot the rows between. As normally found along the Li River,
numerous caves encircle the peak and provide a full day of
adventurous exploration.
Other must see attractions in Yangshou are the Green Lotus
Peak and the Tall Banyan. The Green Lotus Peak
resembles a delicate green lotus floating on the water and
has many inscriptions dating back to the Qing dynasty carved
on its peaks. The Tall Banyan was planted in the Jin Dynasty
and now stands 50ft high,20ft circumference and covers an
area of 1000 square meters! The tree now serves as a symbol
of everlasting love, where many couples come to have their
picture taken in admiration.
Guiyang
Standing proud in the middle of the Guizhou province, the capital city of Guiyang is quickly becoming a must-see
on the China travellers list. As many of the cities in China,
the air quality leaves much to be desired with an industrial
haze forever hovering above the city. Textiles, chemical fertilizers,
machine tools, petroleum and rubber products, cement, and
paper are among its manufacturing products. Coal and bauxite
mines that lie nearby the city also make up a large portion
of its industrial export.
Despite the thick air, there are some interesting sites to
see within the city. Jiaxiu Tower, built in 1587 is
a wonderful example of Ming Dynasty architecture. The tower
was originally built to encourage scholars to meet at the
provincial Confucian examinations held here.
For some below the surface adventures, try the Southern
Cave, or Underground Park as known to the locals. About
half a mile in length, the cave contains hardy and colourful
stalactites and stalagmites.
Liuzhou
Liuzhou, located on the banks of the Liu River is not
a town most frequently visited by tourists. Mainly an industrial
centre, hotels are hard to come by and most will turn away
foreigners when approached. This is one of the places in China
where tourists must stay in government run hotels, which don't
have the best reputation for being accommodating.
There are a few things worth checking out if you do decided
to pay the city a visit. With a walk through Liuzhou's minority
village, you will witness the distinctive lifestyles of 26
different nationalities including those of the Zhuang,
Han, Meng, Hui and Miao minorities. The karst landscape
surrounding the city is not quite as impressive as in Yangshou
but there are some interesting scenic spots nonetheless.
Big Dragon Pool lies two miles south of the city and
was named after the mythical dragon that was said to once
live in the waters. The dragon had the power to control thunder
and rain and many dignitaries would come here on behalf of
the local people to pray for rain and plentiful harvests.
The Seven Lady Peaks circle the pool protecting the
dragon that lies within.
Fish Peak Hill (Yufeng Shan) stands 290 feet tall in
the centre of Yufeng Park and offers a good vantage
point for looking over the city of Liuzhou. Legend has it
that this hill is actually a carp that once saved the life
of the beloved singing sister of the House of Liu. An angry
lord threw her in the lake where two carps then saved her,
one turning into this peak in order to crush the lord beneath
him.
Huangguoshu Waterfalls
Three hours west of Guiyang, thunderous sounds and waves
of mist resonate from the largest falls in Asia: Hangguoshu
Waterfalls. The total site is comprised of eighteen falls
above and four falls below ground, all of which pump out more
than 700 cubic meters of water per second.
The powerful water of the Baishui River drops 74 meters
at this spot, slamming into the Rhinoceros Pool (Xiniu)
below and kicking up a mist that creates spectacular rainbows
as the sun tries to break through. A natural cave has formed
directly behind the falls where you can stand inside hiding
behind a continuous flowing sheet of water.
The falls are very popular with Chinese tourists and many
love to have their pictures taken to commemorate the visit.
Elaborate costumes can be rented on site to add to the uniqueness
of the occasion. Picture taking seems to be a far safer pastime
than attempting to go over the falls in a barrel! The falls
are seen as a national treasure among the Chinese and were
recently featured on a special national stamp.
Jinghong
The minute you step foot into this laid-back village, you
will feel as if you have been transported to the lands of
tropical Southeast Asia. This provincial capital is surrounded
by jungles teaming with diverse varieties of wildlife, contributing
to the humid temperatures of the region. The borders of Thailand,
Burma, Laos and Vietnam lie close by and many tourists as
well as more permanent visitors come from these countries
adding to the unique cultural makeup of the city. Around half
of the population is comprised of the Dai ethnic minority
originally from Northern Thailand who brought their own unique
language and alphabet with them as they resettled.
Chinese tourists head to this area know as China's mini-Thailand
to enjoy the sunshine, indulge on the Dai cuisine and participate
in the various festivals. The National Culture and Custom
Park located close to the airport exhibits the rare tropical
plants and animals that can be found in this area of Xishuangbanna,
as well as the local culture and customs of its people. Just
southwest of the city towards Burma, you can take the special
opportunity to visit the Mangguanglong Monastery where
you can witness the daily lives of 30 young Buddhist monks.
Be sure to use discretion when taking photographs, however,
and never display the soles of your feet towards another person! |
