So the biggest event this last week was another team-building activity for the staff of EF Yopindo; a trip to the Qingcheng Mountains North West of Chengdu.
The staff met up at Yopindo plaza at 8am and we boarded a small tour bus for the hour-and-a-half trip out of the city. Along the way Kirby, the nine year old son of one of the PA's demonstrated his English skills by singing along to Michael Jackson songs on his mother's cell phone, while our psychotic driver careened around the thin and winding mountain roads at unnecessarily high speeds. (it reminded me of a family road trip many years ago when my grandfather took us through the Rocky Mountains at breakneck speed in his motor-home.)
As we pulled up to our destination I glanced out the window and was shocked to see Mike wandering through the crowds at our destination. (Which is very telling of how much we Westerners stand out in a crowd of Chinese people.) Through shocking coincidence he happened to be making the trip to the same mountains on the same day at the same time as our group. We flagged him down so that he could join us on our trek up the rear face of the mountain, which features all the natural scenery. The opposite face is home to many Taoist temples, but those will have to be seen on a return trip. We wandered through the traditional Chinese town of Tai'an, which was apparently heavily damaged during the 2008 earthquake in the region, but has since been repaired.
As we pulled up to our destination I glanced out the window and was shocked to see Mike wandering through the crowds at our destination. (Which is very telling of how much we Westerners stand out in a crowd of Chinese people.) Through shocking coincidence he happened to be making the trip to the same mountains on the same day at the same time as our group. We flagged him down so that he could join us on our trek up the rear face of the mountain, which features all the natural scenery. The opposite face is home to many Taoist temples, but those will have to be seen on a return trip. We wandered through the traditional Chinese town of Tai'an, which was apparently heavily damaged during the 2008 earthquake in the region, but has since been repaired.
We crossed the large rope bride (which sways with joy according to the information plaque) and began our three hour hike to the first summit on the pathway up the mountainside. The walkway itself is all made of concrete, sculpted to resemble wooden planks and logs, which helps preserve the natural feel of the environment while adding to the durability of the path. The engineering required to construct the pathway is interesting to comprehend considering that half of it is carved into the rock of the mountain while the other half must cross many deep ravines and the stream that flows from the upper reaches of the mountain.
About halfway up the mountainside we came to a still pool where the stream collected into a large pond about 40 yards wide and 200 yards from end to end. The water was crystal clear, and on a hot day would probably be very pleasant to swim in. We boarded a large boat and after pushing off from the shore, we were ferried calmly to the other side by a driver with a long pole. At the far end we disembarked next to a small shrine, where other passengers waited to cross in the opposite direction.
From there we continued past more lovely scenery until we finally arrived at the first summit.
Many of the buildings at the summit still showed signs of damage from the devastating 2008 earthquake and had yet to be rebuilt. But we had lunch in a small restaurant overlooking the distant peaks, and afterwards sat around a small fire amid some of the ruined buildings where the meat was being smoked for future consumption.
Once we had finished eating and resting, we moved on to the cable cars that would carry us down to the other side of the mountain. At the bottom we were unceremoniously yanked from our seats by the gruff attendant and we began our last hour-long trek back out to the park entrance.
There was more fantastic scenery on the descent on the opposite side of the mountain. One large area was destroyed by a massive landslide. (I cannot say whether or not this was a result of the earthquake in 2008 or a more recent disaster.)
Nick, James, Matt and I were all the last ones off the mountain, we insisted on taking as many photos as possible. (I took about 300 during the trek so this is only a small selection) But we were the first ones back to the bus since we hailed a small tour trolley when we reached the road. We boarded the bus and began our return trip to the city, only to have out psychotic bus driver rear end a car several miles outside Chengdu proper. I would be lying if I said anyone on the bus was surprised that this happened.
All in all it was a great day-trip into the peace and quiet and fresh air outside the hustle and bustle of Chengdu. I can't wait to see more of China.