We walked to the closest subway, hopped on, changed lines from ours to Line 3, switched tracks when there was a mysterious spur, and made it to Meihuayuan Station. Upon our exit, we had no idea where to go next. We followed the only other tourist-looking person with a backpack, and when he hit a dead-end and ran into us as he doubled back, he pointed out the right way to go. We stopped to get some water, and set out. Soon the busy road became a bustling side street, then a meandering lane, then a quiet, long driveway. It eventually ended in a government compound, but there were still a few hiker-looking folks coming to and fro, albeit no other tourists. We found a small side trail to the side of the government compound and viola! The trail entrance! We paid our entrance fee (20 Yuan each, a little more than $3/person) and started the hike.
Some photos from the hike:
Woven bamboo hillside reinforcements (for the rock-wall builders out there)
Start of the trail
My favorite line (kind of hard to read) "Stress the Civilization"with a smiley face next to it.
Amazingly lush
We made it to the (start of) the top!
Most folks were milling about in everyday clothes, taking in the view. We were in our hiking clothes, pretty sweaty, and clearly not accustomed to hiking in 80/80 (80 degrees F and 80% humidity).
Trees with draping vines
Once we got to the higher part of the mountain, the path was pretty wide open and (thankfully!) shaded.
We spotted a lake area below - looks so refreshing and cool!
View from the far side of Baiyun Mountain
Our fellow hikers
Looking down at our side of Guangzhou
More mountain views
A little visitor
More draping vine trees (technical name?)
Such a huge, beautiful park! It went on forever - this is a few hours in.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step - this sign went on to describe the various points of foot reflexology and led to a 'massage path'...
I saw a number of local hikers doing this and thought 'when in Rome...' You take off your shoes and walk sock-footed down this path of intricately-laid stones. It is supposed to massage your feet (in a sort of aggressive way).
Map of reflexology points
The path leading down from the top
My feet actually did feel better after walking the path!
The view of the city from off the massage path detour - you can see the Canton Tower (barely) in the distance. We'll call it mist, but I'm afraid it's really just pollution.
A blossoming flower...
When all its buddies were still closed...
We came across a temple with this description - note the last sentence: "When tourists visit and reflect on the past in the light of the present, they should cherish the fruit of reform and open policy."
Beautiful temple
We walked throughout the temple
Huge wall with stone carvings depicting the history of the temple and its various builders/benefactors
Carving into the rock walls
And now that we did the hard part hiking up - time to take the gondola down!
Heading out on the gondola
View down the mountain
Passing one heading up the mountain
Crossing over a track/basketball court complex
Almost down, just over this pond..
We went up one side of Baiyun, and came down the other. Since we didn't know the bus routes on this side of the mountain, we just took a taxi home (for the pricey fare of $4!) These food carts selling steamed corn and oranges were by the taxi roundabout.
In-taxi entertainment on the ride home.
Topped off the day with dinner by the Pearl River and ordered some odd/delicious dishes: Husband had baked cod with blueberry vinaigrette and ice cream.
And I ordered baked scallops with coffee beans.
Side note: as I'm writing this, I've been watching the news on Hurricane/Super Storm Sandy - take care all East Coasters and we hope you are safe, dry, warm, and with power!
No comments:
Post a Comment