Adventure Travel in South West China

China has more than a billion people and is the third largest country in the world. The South West of China comprises the provinces of Sichuan, Ghuizoo, Yunnan and Guangxi. The limestone peaks dot the rivers of south west china. The people who live along the rivers rely on them for their existence. Yangshuo is now a backpackers haven and will be the last time you will see backpacker delights. Get your name engraved in Chinese character onto a stamp or what is called a chop. For less than a dollar a day you can rent a bike and head for the hills. Each scenic spot is named after how it looks. Moon hill is a limestone pinnacle with a moon shaped hole in it. From the top of Moon Hill you can see the most beautiful scenery in the whole world, say the chinese.

From Moon Hill you can find a guide to take you on a tour of a village. Farmers can now sell their surplus goods on the free markets. Yangshuo is not a typical chinese town for Western visitors as most people can speak English. In the markets you can buy frogs to eat. Or get a dog to eat. Snake is popular too to make your eyes bright. They kill the animals right in front of you. Motorbike taxis cost about two dollars to get around in Yangshuo.

Guiyang was only open to foreigners recently. It is an industrial city and western fashions are starting to seep through. Guiyang is a jump off point to the more remote regions of Guizoo province. Trains are the most popular way to travel in China and Guiyang station is very large. It is difficult to get to buy a ticket if you do not speak chinese and you may have to go to a special section for foreigners. In Liuzhi there is a limited supply of hotels and places to stay. There are no signs in English. But you will get a mosquito net with your room above your bed. From Liuzhi you can go and visit the Long Horn Mioo tribe. It will cost a few dollars for a motorbike taxi to get to the foothills. A horse and cart will get you to the Long Horn village. The name for the tribe came from the horns that the ladies wear on their heads and represent the strength of an ox. At the village gates you are greeted with a ceremony. The tribe are very old. The villager live life much like they have for centuries and keep pigs and horses and other animals. It is customary to leave them the price of a nights board and lodging for their kindness. If you are lucky you may be able to stay at the home of the village elder. The miaoo girls sing to their lovers across the valley at night. For special ceremonies they wind the hair of the ancestors around their horns. They wear their hair to remember their ancestors. Then they dance around with long flute like instruments.

Near there you can see a waterfall. The chinese love to dress up for the photo opportunities at tourist resorts. The wangashu waterfalls are the largest in asia and the mist carries to the next village. When catching a train, just get on and worry about the details later. You may be able to upgrade to a sleeper berth if you are lucky.

At Kunming you may be able to get a sleeper bus. Jinghong is in the south and is more like tropical south east asia than china. Jinghong is popular with chinese tourists who want traditional food. The Mekong River flows through here and you can jump on a boat up river. One hour down the river there is a buddhist temple with huge gold buddha. The temples are also village schools where young monks are trained. Near Xiahungbanna you can see the traditional tribes that retain their old customs. They have a swing festival after harvest and swing to symbolise the new year and a good harvest for next year.

The road to Chengdu is harder than the road to heaven. So catch a plane. Chengdu is in the Sichuan province. If you are sick, then go and get some chinese medicine done on you. Acupuncture is popular as well as chinese herbs. Acupuncture works on the nervous system and you can get burning herbs over the afflicted area. At the markets you can get sesame oil, chestnuts, and garlic. Fresh meat hangs up for sale. As well as live wriggling animals. The tea house is centuries old and is similar to the french cafe and is used for social purposes. Go to english speaking corner where people come to practice their english. So go along and help out the kids trying to learn english and practice. At night Chengdu is very busy and lit up with lights and entertainment. Early mornings are the time for the chinese people to do their exercises and they have tai chi all along the river as well as ballroom dancing and aerobics.

The Giant Panda Research center is near chengdu and panda preservation is a major issue for the chinese government. They breed panda bears in captivity and the breeding is going along very well. The journey north to Songpan is along a dangerous road that is often washed out by landslides. Songpan is eight thousand feet above sea level. There are many Tibetan cultural places in Songpan. You can get a horse ride to the hills for only about four dollars a day. There is some of the most spectacular scenery in China along the mountain ridges in this area.

Resources for South West China

Places to visit in South west china:
Long Horn Mioo tribe
sichuan
ghiuzoo
yunnan
Guangxi
autonomous region of burma
The Long March of 1934
Yangshuo
Guiyang
liuzhi
Kunming
Chengdu
Songpan
Xishuangbanna

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