In the Eye of the Tiger

May 2016Lijiang + Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yunnan Province.

Another amazing experience. We spent 6 days in North Western, Yunnan. The plan:  Spend some time in the Ancient Town situated within the city of Lijiang; Hike through the iconic "Tiger Leaping Gorge"; the cold on the southern tip of the Himalayas; Engage in a cultural experience with the local Naxi  people.

A quick 5 Yuan ($1) hair cut before our trek
 - anything to reduce the weight.

Flying towards Lijiang, North Western Yunnan.

Looking for our hotel in the "Ancient Town".

Morning sun on ancient cobblestones.

Old roofs, New technology

Who are you looking at?

McDonald's, Ancient Town style!

The Fire Brigade.
An essential service for all the wooden structures in the Old Town.

The local delivery service.
Why hide your engine under a hood?

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain overlooking Lijiang.

Lijiang from Elephant Mountain.

Black Dragon Pool.

A different take on saving the planet. 

Our hiking map along the gorge, no mention of "Starbucks"!

Monday morning, we are on our way.

The climbing begins!

Typical terraced farming.

We are heading through there!

And we thought this was the top!

Typical of the track.

Checking out the Yangtze 

Much easier going in some places.

Back to normal on the track. 

This is why we chose the upper hiking track; stunning scenery. 

Happy Hikers.

The Gorge is this wide.

Checking messages at the end of our first day.

Hanneke's first beer since picking grapes in the Swan Valley (1979)!!
Very well earned on both occasions. 

Loo with a view. 

The first hikers of the morning.

And we are off again! Tuesday morning.

Morning shower.

If you climb up, you have to come down at some stage!

Looking West down the Gorge.

Finally get close to the Yangtze river.

A big leap for the Tiger to get across the Gorge here!

Nowhere for the Tiger to leap here!

A hike that will long be remembered  

Appreciating the beauty of this iconic place.

Our reward for the two days of 'Hard Yakka"-
Yak Cheese Dumplings and fresh Apple Juice

Lobby of our hotel.

Glad to finally get back to the Old Town.
A mighty hike, but worth every step.

This guy probably hikes twice as far,
and with twice the weight, everyday.

On the cable car to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

A different view from the past two days.

and just a few more people!!!!

Darth Vader strikes on Snow Mountain.

 Plenty of blossoms at Glacial Blue Moon Lake.

Our cultural experience - Over 450 local
performers inspiring our appreciation.  

An amazing feast for the senses. 

If you marry into a different ethnic group you are banished
from your roots forever! 

Typical Naxi lunch; yum.

Glad we did not have the fried rice??

We even shared a consultation with the famous Dr Ho - 94 years young and still keeping his community fit and healthy.

Even a delayed flight home could not dampen another amazing trip.  

We are very fortunate for the unique experiences China is providing.