This trip to China started in Yunnan with that last part of an Intrepid tour, and continued there in Dali.
Then, from Guiyang, the capital and center of Guizhou there were two separate trips to Huanggoashu and Xijiang.
Next, Hunan and the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
This first batch is the high speed train, canned milk, first class, and a rainy arrival in the main town. In a walk around I met some performers in a nearby tourist show, etc. Thus began a three-day exploration of the area…
This pagoda marks the entrance to the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park where the “floating mountains” now often referred to as the “Avatar mountains” can be seen. (Please note some pix are pix of pix.) And, please note, less is not necessarily more here as I often go for more than one angle of particular views, and they are gorgeous…!
In a way, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is somewhat like a theme park and the support for tourist needs is prevalent. In addition to the amazing nature, there are shows, displays, lots of food options, plenty of souvenir and gift shops, lotsa potties, and more…
The sticks above and below, tucked between rock shelves, seeming to help as supports, are supposed to provide good luck (a happenstance much revered in Chinese culture). The red prayer strips are not unlike Tibetan prayer flags, perhaps a Buddhist thing? In addition to more of the extraordinary landscape, there’s a calligrapher, a drone, and perhaps more…
Pink flowers, are they azaleas?
Too much to see. Signs in the scenery.
And this batch ends with more wild monkeys…
Back in town. (Note the urination encouragements.)
Next day, headed out to another part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, this day featuring three cable car (gondola) rides, and more of the same – yet always different – beauty of nature…
More of the scene & scenery.
A couple shops, more signage, and near the end a photographer and his work, some fish and some tadpoles…
Perhaps the best souvenir shop I’ve found in China (next to the cool antique shop somewheres else). Lots o’ rocks, carvings, sculptures, and craftwork…
More from the lingering end of another great day…
Thought about adding day three to this post, but will save it for another, which will include the videos from this amazing place.
谢谢
Xiè xiè