One day in May 2018, I suddenly felt that it was time to go, so I said to Qiu: "Let's go to western Sichuan!"
Day 1: Jingzhou-Chengdu (Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway, Hurong Expressway, Suiguang Expressway, Suihong Expressway, Yurong Expressway, 938 kilometers)
Speeding on the monotonous high-speed all day, dinner with Chengdu's famous skewers for yourself.
Day 2: Chengdu-Wenchuan-Xisuo Residential Houses (Rounding Expressway, Rongchang Expressway, Duwen Expressway, National Highway 317, 337 kilometers)
This day is the tenth anniversary of the Wenchuan Earthquake. Driving past her, the scars of the past are no longer there. There are clusters of flowers in front of and behind every house, and red cherries are falling on the branches along the way. It is a scene full of vitality and living and working in peace. I pray silently in my heart, may the dead rest in peace, and the living will always be auspicious.
I met the first snow mountain on the way and stopped excitedly to take pictures
Moving on, my breathing became short, my skin became dry, and the biscuit packaging bulged into a small pillow. When I opened the mobile app, the altitude had risen to more than 3,000.
At around 5:00 p.m., we arrived at the Xisuo folk house next to the county seat of Malkang, Aba State, a village built with stones to create architectural art. The stone walls on one side are flat and smooth, with sharp edges and corners, the window lattices are narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, and the four corners of the eaves are upturned. White quartz is placed on the door lintel and window lattice, and pure white is drawn around the door and window. The towering stone walls of the Zhailou, the fluttering prayer flags on the roof, the white stones on the windows, the temples surrounded by incense, and the hospitable and simple Jiarong Tibetan residents make people feel like entering a simple, quiet and solemn mysterious country.
There are very few tourists in this season, and I did not book accommodation in advance. After arriving, I walked around the village. Fortunately, I encountered a small village without commercialization. Everything is so quiet and beautiful. We found a clean and comfortable inn with a higher location with a wide view, and we can sit in front of the window and watch the sunset. The owner of the inn is a beautiful Jiarong Tibetan aunt in her 60s. She has two daughters. The eldest daughter works in the county, and the youngest daughter runs an inn at home, produces and sells yak jerky, and manages a small shop by the bridge. The dinner was specially made for us by the youngest daughter, and the ingredients were very good. After dinner, I chatted with my aunt. Her Mandarin was not very good, and it sounded a bit difficult. I asked her where she had been the farthest. She said that she flew to Hainan last year, and Lhasa the year before, and this year has not yet been decided. She is full of happiness, and at the same time With peace and kindness. At the farewell, my aunt gave Qiu Lama the colorful rope that had recited the Peace Sutra. Such a simple and kind folk custom and an unexpected gift, what else can we do besides touch us!
Day 3: Xisuo Residence - Seda (Wenshuang Highway, National Highway 317, National Highway 548, 288 km)
On a day with frequent situations, the plan was disrupted. First, depart from the homestay at 8:00 in the morning, and arrive at the celestial burial platform at noon, and visit the Buddhist Academy in the afternoon until the night view. Just after leaving Songgang Town, the road was closed due to road construction, and it was not released until 12 noon. Ruanmoyingjiao failed to win the sympathy of the traffic policeman, so he re-planned the itinerary under the scoundrel. Put the car on the spot and line up, walk back to Songgang Town, five kilometers away, and look at the ancient blockhouses you just passed by. Du Niang introduced: Songgang Zhibo Bajiao Ancient Blockhouses are located in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan. "Guanzhai on the mouth of the canyon" was built in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. There are three blockhouses, which are stone and wood structures. One of the 43-meter-high octagonal watchtowers has tilted 2.3 meters for more than half a century and has survived three major earthquakes. It is known as the Chinese version of the "Leaning Tower of Pisa".
The temperature in the morning is a bit low, so the down jacket comes in handy.
I met a Tibetan woman walking into the county.
After walking for an hour, we met a group of monks who kindly offered to drive us for a while.
After getting off the bus, continue walking to the town
Mountaineering on the plateau is very strenuous, and I am out of breath after a while.
The ancient watchtowers are well preserved, and there is a man in charge of the gate, and there is no way for ten thousand men to open it.
We returned to the traffic jam point at 12:00 noon, and our car was the first in line. At this time, the long queue of cars was two to three kilometers long. The small cold noodles, cold noodle and bean curd served on electric tricycles are very authentic. Two people ate four bowls.
Finally let go, we set off again. The road along the way is full of prayer flags
The arrogance of the two luxury cars aroused my passion for speed, and the three cars started racing. There was a small dispute with Qiu due to the speed, and the second situation appeared after a while, the tire was destroyed by the falling rocks on the road, and the tire changing expert appeared on the stage. This action is so skillful and handsome!
Along the way, I took the Tibetan compatriots who hitchhiked twice, which is also to repay kindness. They sincerely expressed their gratitude. After getting off the car, they still stopped for a long time to wave goodbye to us and watched us off from a distance. People of faith are inherently polite.
Arriving at Seda County in the evening, the weather on the plateau is changeable, the wind is strong for a moment, and the bean-sized hail falls from the sky.
The third situation appeared, the altitude has reached 3800, and the altitude is coming as promised. Qiu had a headache and didn't want to eat, so she vomited after forcing her to eat a little. It seemed that she had overestimated herself before leaving, and now she wanted to go home. I advised her not to break down mentally, and she would be fine after a night of rest. In the end, unwillingness overcame her intention to quit. I'm resilient and it's not that obvious, just a little bit of a headache.
In the fourth situation, the charger and battery of the SLR camera were left at the beautiful aunt's house in Xisuo's house. We tried to find a charger in the streets and alleys of Seda County, but in the end, we couldn’t find it. We just started a new day’s journey with a battery in anxiety.
Day 4: Seda-Ganzi (National Highway 548, County Highway 6983, National Highway 317, 220 kilometers)
After a whole night of rest, the breakfast of sugar porridge, eggs, and steamed buns replenished energy, and a small bottle of glucose was added. Qiu has gradually adapted to the high altitude. Arrive at Larong Wuming Buddhist College at 10:00 in the morning, at an altitude of about 4000. Surrounded by mountains, the monastic houses in the ravine are centered on the Sutra Hall of the Buddhist College, densely packed on the surrounding hillsides, and there are countless crimson red cabins stretching so endlessly that you can't see the end at a glance.
It happened that a friend I knew contacted us in advance after taking refuge here, and asked her to take us to visit the Buddhist Academy. Walking on the path of the Buddhist Academy is like wandering in the red ocean. The monk's room is red and the monk's clothes are red. The monks who admire their practice are especially poor, and they have to overcome high resistance, adapt to the cold climate, and cook by themselves. It is completely different from the previous impression of the converts. The women here are not disillusioned, world-weary and monks. They come with faith, hardworking, cheerful, and talkative, with bright smiles on their faces. Although life is bitter, but the heart is rich, firm and fulfilling, this should be the power of faith!
After the daily classes, they can arrange their own time to rest and have a picnic on the top of the mountain.
After visiting the Buddhist Academy, it was already one o'clock. When I went down the mountain to the celestial burial platform, the celestial burial ceremony was over. I was very disappointed and regretful. It may be destined in the dark. Let us cherish the things in front of us and the people in front of us. After death, whether cremated or celestial burial, the body will reduced to nothing.
There are countless vultures in the celestial burial
Heading towards Ganzi County at nearly three o'clock in the afternoon, I followed the navigation on County Road 6983 by accident, a gravel mountain road with many constructions, bumpy and rugged, and there were few vehicles on the road. This route hides pleasant original ecological scenery, simple villages, and can stand shoulder to shoulder with snow-capped mountains.
Passing through the village, the children go home from school, and the yaks also follow them home.
The most beautiful scenery in western Sichuan is on the road, with constant surprises along the way, and new discoveries every day.
At this place with an altitude of more than 4,500, I was forced to stay for more than an hour, waiting for the road excavator above to get off work. From morning to 6 o'clock in the evening, with dry skin, purple lips, and extremely poor image, I did not forget to pose --> . 21:30 Arrive at the night-shrouded Ganzi County
Day 5: Ganzi - Shangri-La Town (Provincial Highway 217, National Highway 318, Provincial Highway 217, Provincial Highway 216
Get up at 7:30, eat breakfast, buy a spare tire, wash the car, find a photo studio to charge the camera, hang the clothes washed last night in the back row to dry, refuel, everything is ok by 10:30. Realize the benefits of self-driving, you can arrange your time freely, take it easy, and arrange it arbitrarily. Today, take Provincial Highway 217 all the way south, through Litang to Daocheng and then to Shangri-La Town.
Our Grand Canyon travels through colorful mountains, the Yalong River with rolling waves, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, sacred temples, and quiet villages surrounded by mountains and rivers.
Four cute Tibetan children covered in dirt, stopped to greet them, took photos with their parents' permission, and gave them a handful of white rabbit toffee.
The altitude rose again, the temperature plummeted, and the wind howled. After getting out of the car for a few minutes, I had to flee to the car. The beauty of Haizi Mountain in the evening is breathtaking. Arriving at the Four Seasons Lotus Inn in Shangri-La Town near 21:00, the female boss was enthusiastic and open-minded, and she solved the problem of our camera charger in a few words.
Day 6: Yading Scenic Walking Crossing
Arrive at the tourist center of the scenic spot at nine o'clock, take the bus for about an hour and get off, then transfer to a small battery car for 20 minutes, and walk after getting off.
Daocheng Yading Scenic Area Daocheng Yading has three major snow mountains, Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong, and Shanuoduoji. They are regarded as the guardians of the Tibetan people in Aden. The snow-capped mountains are set against the dense forest, and the lake reflects the snow-capped mountains, like a fairyland in oil painting. This is the legendary Shangri-La.
Luorong Cattle Farm is 4,150 meters above sea level. It is a pasture for Tibetans nearby. It is backed by three sacred mountains and has an excellent view of the Sanhuzhu Snow Mountain.
The milk sea is in the depression at the foot of Yangmai Yongshen Mountain, with an altitude of about 4600. It is quite difficult to hike from the Luorong cattle farm. There are many oxygen inhalers along the way. When you step over the last step with difficulty , Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, a teardrop-shaped lake comes into view, clear and blue. The sun shines on the quiet lake, and the water sparkles like jewels. The blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, lake water, and reflections are all in one.
I am very proud of my adaptability. I can already climb at an altitude of 4600. I only add a little biscuits and milk at noon, and I am full of energy.
Once again, I saw the sudden change of the situation on the plateau, the blue sky was suddenly overcast, and the hailstorm vented down.
Day 7: Shangri-La Town - Litang - Kangding (Provincial Highway 216, Provincial Highway 217, National Highway 318, 500 kilometers)
Here we come, the most beautiful section of National Highway 318! Haizi Mountain, Tuer Mountain, Alpine Grassland, Xindu Bridge, Zheduo Mountain.
I turned over the Karazi Mountain and chatted with the Tibetan aunts on the side of the road. I learned that they dug the caterpillar fungus from the bottom of the mountain and climbed up the mountain today, so I bought a few.
Every time the wind blows the prayer flags, it is a chanting and a prayer to God.
The wind blows my long hair, I am the most beautiful in your eyes
From Chengdu to Lhasa, the longing of many cyclists, in the face of perseverance and persistence, some start bravely, some are discouraged, some get what they want after hardships, and some give up halfway. The uphill road basically depends on pushing, and it will encounter rain and snow at any time, and the sun in sunny and hot weather is also very vicious. I admire every rider on the road, and wish them a safe journey and fulfill their wishes smoothly!
Xindu Bridge
Snow and Rainbow in Zheduo Mountain
Day 8: Kangding - Chongqing
On the mountain where the horses are running, there is a cloud.
Chongqing, the last stop of this trip.
In a hot city and a city of gourmet food, how can we not feast on it!
I can't wait to order all the dishes on the menu, so that two people can eat until they are full.
The three Chongqing girls at the next table ordered a beer
If you come, you will be safe, and you must not pass by the delicious food. Before returning, don't forget to look for food in the depths of the market.
Day 9: Chongqing - Jingzhou
go home……
