Panoramic view of the Changpingguo the middle gully of Siguniang Mountain.
Day 9 (7.4.2013) Rilong trekking up Changpinggou 长砰沟 the middle gully of Siguniang 四姑娘山
This morning had been snowing heavily and we were not able to trek at 9am. We took the 10am bus to Changpingguo for the 6km trek along the middle gully of Siguniang 四姑娘山. We visited the Chongchongqiao (虫虫脚) 200m waterfall at 3,700m. On the way back there was heavy snow fall along the gully. When we arrived at our hostel there were hail stone falling on us.
For dinner we have ordered a live chicken for Y100 to be fried with ginger. Lee Kam Boon cut up the chicken and Lily Yap fried it while Mrs Ng prepared the chicken soup. It was the best dinner we ever had to date.
Temperature: -5c at night
Sleeping: Riyue Youth Hostel (日月青年旅社) at Rilong.
This morning had been snowing heavily and we were not able to trek at 9am at Rilong.
The heavy snow fall on the field in front of our Riyue Youth Hostel (日月青年旅社) at Rilong.
There were hail stone falling on us collected from our hotel window at Rilong.
The whole area fully covered with snow except the road at Rilong.
The whole area fully covered with snow except the road at Rilong.
The whole area fully covered with snow except the river at Rilong.
The whole area fully covered with snow except the river at Rilong.
The whole area fully covered with snow except the road at Rilong.
The whole area fully covered with snow except the road at Rilong.
A watermill at Rilong.
We all walked to the Rilong tourist bus station nearby.
A large Tibetan pagoda and the prayer flags beside the Rilong bus station.
We purchased the bus and entrance tickets at this newly built Rilong bus station for Changping valley. After purchasing our tickets, we waited at the tourist centre for the next bus to transport us for the 5km or so to the valley entrance where we could enter on foot or by horseback through the Changpingguo the middle gully of Siguniang.
The country side view on the road to Changping valley park entrance from Rilong.
The country side view on the road to Changping valley park entrance from Rilong.
The country side view on the road to Changping valley park entrance from Rilong.
At the Changping valley park entrance where the tourist bus stops - the last bus returning to town is at 6pm.
The horses for hire along the road to a Tibetan Buddhist Monk temple at Changping valley park.
The horses for hire along the road to a Tibetan Buddhist Monk temple at Changping valley park.
The Buddhist Monk temple is at an elevation of 3,440m at Changping valley park.
The Buddhist Monk temple is at an elevation of 3,440m at Changping valley park.
The Buddhist Monk temple is at an elevation of 3,440m at Changping valley park.
Yaks grazing and roaming freely in the Buddhist Monk temple compound at Changping valley park.
A good view of the Siguniang mountain from the Buddhist Monk temple at Changping valley park.
Only at this point you actually start hiking in the wilderness. There are several scenic spots and quite nice views (including that of Jianzi Mountain, 尖子山. Along the track the Changping Gully mainly consists of pine forests valleys, snowy mountains and it extends 29km and covers an area of some 100 square km.
Changping Valley - Best Valley to Appreciate the Beauty of Mount Siguniang.
The elevated walkway starts from the temple - suitable for people to walk or ride horses along the 20km Changpingguo the middle gully of Siguniang.
The Changping Valley forests is also covered with the soft and deep moss and fallen leaves with some snow
A river of melting snow water from the Changping Valley mountains.
Ching Neng Bin at Changping Valley.
A farmer's stone hut along the trek to the waterfall - its roof is covered with dried moss at Changping Valley.
The alley to the Four-Girl Mountain through the Changping Gully is very narrow and winding. Coniferous forest, sub-forests and shrub wood exhibit their contrasting charms.
Plenty of old man's beard on all pine trees at Changping Valley.
Changping Valley floor is well protected by the thick alpine forest - looks like in Switzerland Alps region.
The wooden steps up to Chongchongjiao Waterfall
Chongchongjiao Waterfall is at an altitude of 3,700m and the fall is about 200m.
Panoramic view of the Changpingguo the middle gully of Siguniang Mountain.
The foot of Siguniang Mountain at Changping Valley.
Another view of Siguniang mountain at Changping Valley.
The 4 lady peaks of Siguniang: 1st lady is 5355m on the right, 2nd is 5454m, 3rd is 5664m and 4th is 6250m on the far left.
Lee Kam Boon with the four kitchen helpers of the Riyue Youth Hostel.
This special dishes were well prepared by our Lily Yap - a thousand thanks to Lily Yap.
For dinner we have ordered a live chicken for Y100 to be fried with ginger. Lee Kam Boon cut up the chicken and Lily Yap fried it while Mrs Ng prepared the chicken soup. It was the best dinner we ever had to date. My thousand thanks to all.
Day 10 (8.4.2013) Rilong 日隆 to Chengdu 成都 236km
Today is traveling back to Chengdu to get to other destinations. This morning we woke up to the most clear blue skies we have seen yet. We rented two vans at Y160 per pax departing Rilong at 9.30am. It was a 5 hour journey – the first 2 hours was breathtaking as we were driven up the snow covered Balang Mountain 巴朗山 at its highest pass of 4,487m (14,358 ft) before descending down the valley to Wolong (乌龙) town for lunch. Wolong is the hometown of the giant panda.
However, the next 2 hours after lunch was really driving through hell on dirt road that was last hit by earthquake in 2009. There was in fact no road but just dirt path to drive through. The last one hour was good road with many long tunnels before reaching Chengdu.
Sleeping: Traffic Inn (交通背包客栈)
The long and winding road up Balang Mountain 巴朗山 range from Rilong.
Balang Mountain in Tibetan language is called Balangla, means 'the mountain of strange willows'.
Balang Mountain offers breath-taking landscape and suitable for climbing all the year.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 is covered with snow all the year round.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 is covered with snow all the year round.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 is covered with snow all the year round.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 is covered with snow all the year round.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
The crisscross and zigzag tortuous sky-way runs all the way up to the Balang Mountain pass and descend.
The crisscross and zigzag tortuous sky-way runs all the way up to the Balang Mountain pass and descend.
The crisscross and zigzag tortuous sky-way runs all the way up to the Balang Mountain pass and descend.
The crisscross and zigzag tortuous sky-way runs all the way up to the Balang Mountain pass and descend.
The crisscross and zigzag tortuous sky-way runs all the way up to the Balang Mountain pass and descend.
Balang Mountain highest pass at 4487m, the only way leading up to the Siguniang Mountain.
Chew Leng Soon and Ching Neng Bin at Balang Mountain 巴朗山 highest pass at 4487m.
Lee Kam Boon and Chew Leng Soon at Balang Mountain 巴朗山 highest pass at 4487m.
Ching Neng Bin standing at Balang Mountain 巴朗山 highest pass of 4,487m before descending to Wolong (乌龙).
Ching Neng Bin standing at Balang Mountain 巴朗山 highest pass of 4,487m before descending to Wolong (乌龙) town for lunch. Wolong is the hometown of the giant panda.
Lee Kam Boon enjoying the icy air and adapting well to the changed in temperature and air pressure due to the changed in altitude at 14,358ft.
A security guard post at Balang Mountain 巴朗山 pass.
View from Balang Mountain pass looking East is the road that leads from Rilong to Chengdu.
View from Balang Mountain pass looking East is the road that leads from Rilong to Chengdu.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
A stone marker at Balang Mountain 巴朗山 road.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Balang Mountain 巴朗山 and its deep valleys are often covered in the sea of snow.
Descending down the valley to Wolong (乌龙) town.
Descending down the valley to Wolong (乌龙) town.
The last one hour road journey was good with many long tunnels before reaching Chengdu.
Descending down the valley to Wolong (乌龙) town for lunch. Wolong is the hometown of the giant panda.
We took the MRT to Jinjiang (锦江) Hotel Metro station and then walked to our Traffic Inn Hostel in Chengdu.
In the evening we walked around the Chengdu City centre.
In the evening we walked around the Chengdu City centre.
In the evening we walked around the Chengdu City centre.
In the evening we walked around the Chengdu City centre.
/// Backpacking Adventure to ShangriLa China the Last Frontier 30 March to 23 April 2013 (25 days)
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i think i meet your group at chengdu traffic inn because our flight back to KL also same date. we're 4 muslim girls. if not i'm sorry. =))
ReplyDeleteHi! Hujanlebat, what a surprise! Yes, we met you at Traffic Inn while waiting for our same flight back to LCCT. I remember all four of you. So how are you? Do you have a blog to share? Do keep in touch, ya!
ReplyDeleteWith icy mountain, snowy winding road behind you, you know you've returned to civilisation! (joke-lah, I mean the toughest hurdle is over - more are coming?) Fancy how the Chinese road builders managed to construct highway along snowy, meandering rough terrains? Malaysian home cooked ginger chicken in China looked Ooi-shi for hungry foodies-travellers. Some rice wine or ginger wine were added? Meeting Hujanlebat there must be exhilarating and the link is connected back in M'ysia. That's wonderful encounter while travelling.
ReplyDeleteAlan K.
KL.