We travelled by minibus to the Liming district about three hours west of Lijiang, encountering some minor landslides and pleasant views of the Yangtze River on the way. This mountainous area has some spectacular walks and is being developed as a tourist destination. Our objective was to hike to the summit of Thousand Turtle Mountain, so called because of the knurled pattern on the rock at the summit. Despite the rain and rough, steep terrain in places we made it to the top to enjoy the impressive views. On the way up we met three young children who said they were guides. Although the track was clearly defined, we hired the three of them. They were physically very fit, and moved fast up the mountainside. They told us they climb the mountain once or twice a day when they are guiding.
In drenching rain we arrived back at the base of the mountain late in the afternoon and returned to Lijiang early in the evening, just in time for the next banquet dinner. Nobody needed rocking to sleep that night.
In drenching rain we arrived back at the base of the mountain late in the afternoon and returned to Lijiang early in the evening, just in time for the next banquet dinner. Nobody needed rocking to sleep that night.
