tourleadermarc

This little town used to be a garrison town to protect locals from invading tribes and to serve as an outpost for the Chinese empire. Now it’s most famous for the horse treks which take you through some stunning scenery to a variety of places, including Ice Mountain, a peak covered in permanent snow.

Emma’s kitchen is the local hangout for good western food, beer, cheap internet and CD burning and the place to meet fellow travellers.

Happy Trails organise the horse treks. The Traffic Hotel is the also the main bus station and has spacious rooms and the beds have electric blankets.

This national park which translates as “Nine Villages Valley” is now a major domestic tourist attraction. Sure it’s gorgeous with it’s waterfalls and uncanny blue lakes but it’s hardly a genuine mountain experience. You cannot leave the path and you are never far from the main road which shuttles throngs of Chinese tourists up and down the mountain. Entrance fee is now a jaw-dropping 310 yuan (that’s more than Forbidden City, Warriors, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace combined !)

One of the most fascinating of China’s provinces. Capital Chengdu, home to over 11 million people. The Wolong Panda reserve, Wenshu temple, Wuhou temple, Jin Li street and Sichuan opera are some of the more interesting attractions. Sichuan food is world renowned and known for its heavy use of chillis and more chillis. Don’t miss a Sichuan hot pot when ur there !!