China Wilderness

I have finally set eyes on the true countrysides of China, and what a sight to behold! For the last week, ten people, including myself, have explored the rice terraces of the mountains, ventured to the depths of caves, and been completely surrounded by karsts. The scenery of China continues to blow my mind with its breath taking views. A week long journey well spent in the southern regions of China has made for some fantastic memories.

To start off our journey we took the sleeper train 13 hours south to Guilin. We took a three hour scenic drive up the mountains to Dazhai Village. Our journey did not end there folks, we then had to hike about an hour or so up and down a ridiculous amount of stone stairs to Tian Tou Village. Sweaty and exhausted our small group made it to the top where our lovely, cabin style hotel greeted us with open arms. After settling in, a few of us went adventuring on the terraces. From my understanding the families living out in the mountains are given a small plot from the government where they can plant rice for themselves. The rice grown on these terraces are just for the families and are not sold commercially. The plot sizes are determined based on the size of the family and their profession.

We stayed in Tiantou Village for three and a half days climbing mountains, visiting neighboring villages, getting caught in thunderstorms, and allowing the culture to completely consume us. On the final day we walked back down to Dazhai Village, where a festival was taking place. As we walked by the village square everyone could see a table set out in front with pigs heads sitting on top with baskets crammed full of chickens on the ground next to it. Further back sat a group of individuals, who looked something like the village elders or other important people, at tables singing/chanting. It was an intriguing sight, and the singing/chanting continued even while we were leaving. Our shuttle back was delayed on account of a rock slide. When we drove past, there was a backhoe clearing the road of boulders that were just as big as the shuttle. 

Our next destination was a city called Yangshuo. The landscape gradually shifted from damp, mist enshrouded mountains to a warm, tropical like atmosphere, covered with jagged karsts. Here we had two and a half days to experience everything and anything that we could. Once we were safely abandoned by the driver just inside town, we searched for the Bamboo hotel. This city was not quite what I was expecting and soon realized that we had just landed in one of the most tourist friendly cities I have been to since coming to China. There were restaurants from all nationalities, and a couple of us hit up the Indian cuisine once or twice. There were shops galore that could satisfy any shopping frenzy, food stands everywhere you turned, and people to spare. It was an exciting moment, coming from tiny villages secluding you from regular human contact to an overwhelming wave of different people and faces.

During our stay in Yangshuo we packed one day full of everything and anything we could get ourselves into. We decided the best mode of transportation would be biking, and let me tell you, by far my favorite part of the trip! Renting bikes from the hotel we biked to an ancient tree of some sort that was apparently a major tourist attraction, so obviously we had to hit that up. 

Our second destination was Moon Rock, where we encountered a group of rock climbers. We met a nice lady from California and had a lovely chat. To get up to the moon shaped karst, we had to again climb about a million stairs (slight exaggeration), but we seriously just could not escape the stairs. After that we rode back towards the hotel, stopping at a cave where one could take a mud bath and relax in a hot spring. Yes, we got ourselves good and dirty slopping around in the mud. To our amusement they had a slide carved into the cave and we slopped some mud on there and had a grand 'ol time. The hot spring was a joyous occasion and everyone calmed themselves after rinsing off the grime. Afterwards we braved the potential bike ride to your grave. Because it was around 5 o'clockish when we left the cave, traffic was pretty horrifying. I almost hit a pedestrian and was almost hit by a Chinese dump truck, but everyone made it back in one piece.

The final half day was spent on a relaxing ride down the river on a bamboo boat, and fully appreciating the beauty of the karsts. Our boat ride took us to a tiny island with a small food stand and a woman with two birds situated on a bamboo rod. Once pictures were taken it was back to the boats and up the river. When we were back at the hotel everyone grabbed lunch and headed their separate ways. Some people went for another bike ride, others shopped. I on the other hand, went off in search of a cafe to relax and journal, enjoying a warm heavenly glass of milk tea. Soon it was time to head back to the hotel to get ready for the train ride home, but sometimes with great adventures comes travel hiccups. We ended up missing our train by literally one minute, but not until we sped through traffic Fast and Furious style. Our shuttle driver put forth a valiant effort to get us there on time, but even though he drove, not only in the opposite lane, but the opposite bike lane, we just couldn't make it. Thankfully there was a hotel right down the street from the train station that we could crash for the night. We grabbed a flight the next day, getting the last ten seats on a delayed flight. Even though we faced some bad luck, it turned around and we snagged some good. Everyone made it back safe, sound, and incredibly happy with the trip even with the hiccup, which was fun in my opinion.

And so my friends, I wish you all a wonderful night. I will see you when I see you :) Love from China!