TTangyuchenMy mother, daughter, and I drove over Goupaliang Ridge, gazing at the towering mountains before descending to a secluded spot in Caiziping. The guesthouse resembled a stone fortress, and the manager was like an old friend; we had a delightful conversation. Though called a guesthouse, its quality rivaled that of a five-star establishment. The dining in this secluded spot was exquisite, offering both hot pot and Western cuisine. After a satisfying meal, we sat by the pool, listening to the rain and watching the mountains, deciding to climb the ridge the next day. Light rain, mist, deep forests, a sea of clouds, pheasants, pine cones—though we didn't see takins or golden monkeys, judging from the animal trails and droppings, we must have just missed a takin herd. Unfortunately, a landslide blocked the path not far from the trailhead, preventing us from climbing the ridge. However, we gained valuable experience from the trip, and before leaving, we made a promise with the manager to return another day. On the return journey, we took the highway to Tongchewan. The scenery along the way was also excellent. We passed several stilt bridges, chose one to walk across, and unexpectedly encountered a bamboo forest. The depths of the Qinling Mountains truly offer surprises at every turn. Sitting at home now, savoring the mountain honey gifted by my housekeeper, I reminisce about the journey and the delicious food, and feel grateful for the people I met along the way and the beautiful scenery created by nature. ”Altitude 1499”, we will definitely meet again soon.
Show more