China 2005

Chengdu, is the capital of Sichuan province and the starting point of our three week adventure. Here I got acclimated to the weather and the culture! Juicy Bread was the breakfast hot stop offering a twist on breads and baked goods. The Dujiangyan Irrigation Project and Wangjiangiou Park (Bamboo Park) were the two hot spots besides the nearby college where Maria and Rick served in the Peace Corps.

Kangding is located in a valley of the Tibetan Plateau west-southwest of Chengdu. We stayed at Sally's Cafe which was a hostel and visited the nearby Jing Gang Monastery which was under serious repair. We spun the largest prayer wheel on our trip here.

Xin Du Qiao was little village on our trip along the South Route.

Tagong also known as Lhagang is a small town in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of western Sichuan Province, in southwestern China. It is located in the Kham region of eastern Tibet. It is the location of Tagong Monastery, which is beautiful. Prayer flags dominate the mountainside sending prayers to the heavens.

Litang is a county of the traditional Kham Region of Eastern Tibet, currently located in the southwest of Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, western Sichuan province. With an elevation of nearly 13,000 ft, Litang has an alpine subarctic climate. If I didn't know better I would I have though I was back in the States. This location had the most ornate hostel we stayed at our entire trip.

Zhōngdiàn (also known as Shangri-la) is a primarily Tibetan county in the Yunnan province of China and is the seat of the Dêqên Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. By far one of the highlight of my journey so far, speaking with the Monks at the Gan Deng Shang Pi Temple practicing there meditative rituals. They gave me a little something, not sure what it was, but it helped me into my meditative state.

Two landslides, one potential landslide and two flat tires for the trip. This by far was our most adventerous city-to-city trip; however it took all day to complete a journey that should only take hours.

Lijiang is a small city in Yunnan Province of China. Jade River divides into three and its streams form the canals and waterways which flow along the old town streets. Nearby attractions include Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Black Dragon Pool. I felt like I stepped back in time while I was here.

Baisha Village is a small village in Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, part of Lijiang city, well-known for its Jade Dragon Snow Mountain range. It is the original settlement of the Naxi people who came to the greater Lijiang Valley over a thousand years ago. It has a typical Chinese "old-town", consisting of a stone paved street with a mixture of Chinese trinket shops and several cafes. Baisha is know for its hand-made Naxi embroidery.

Shuhe is a small village a couple miles to the north of Lijiang, in Yunnan province. It has similar old architecture as Lijiang with similar places to buy Naxi woven clothes and such. Bargaining is a way of life in China and boy did I have to do some serious haggling here, but the time was well spent. It felt even older than Lijiang and it sat at the door step to Yulong Snow Mountain. It was a place to rest and let time freeze.

Yulong Snow Mountain also know as 'Jade Dragon Snow Mountain' near Lijiang, in the Yunnan province and has the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Looking from the city of Lijiang Old Town in the south which is nine miles (15 kilometers by Asia standards) away, the snow and fog covered mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence the name.

Beijing (romantized as Peking), is the capital of the People's Republic of China and has a seriously long history.