Tales of a Phototrotter

Unswept snow-capped walkways around Huangshan.

Sun? During sunrise? On Huangshan?

Why yes! I would love that.

We were partly fortunate enough to view the sunrise though not in its full glory as it weaved itself between fog, mist and clouds during the morning. However, trudging across to Lion Peak, we caught a glimpse of an open area where there were a lot less clouds and out peeped the sun!

For those who don’t know the rarity of seeing the sun on Huangshan - as an indication, Steven, one of the hostel owners in Tunxi’s Ying Qing Youth Hostel had previously worked as a tour guide and claimed that of the 70 times he had ascended the mountain, he had only seen the sunrise 5 times. Some people go an entire lifetime without seeing the sunrise atop Huangshan, but when you do.. Dear lord pray for your eyes because it is a sight to behold!

In the meantime, this view will do.

I’ll be back!

Suffering from a little bit of vertigo, after struggling my way to the top, there were casually fenced off viewing points where a breath taking view of huge canyons in the Huangshan mountain range could be seen. Photographers are found decked all across these spots busily snapping away!

As a smile is the prettiest language, gracefulness the best self presentation.

Cheng Kan Village

A quick blurb:

Chengkan Village was formerly named Longxi Village. It was first built in East Han Dynasty. Up to now, it has a history of more than 1800 years. Chengkan village has a great reputation – “the best village in Jiangnan area”. The location and architecture style depend exactly on the theory of “the Eight Diagrams” and “Feng Shui”. Chengkan village has three streets and ninety-nine lanes, just like a maze, with hills and rivers surrounding it. The ancient river – Longxi River is like a jade belt going across Chengkan village. The eight mountains surrounding the village are like eight directions of “the Eight Diagrams”. The exquisite layout of Chengkan village is a wonder among the village architectures in China. - China Odyssey

We were told to head to this village under recommendation by Steve, owner of the Ying Qing Youth Hostel, who had emphasised the significance and sheer architectural brilliance of this village as opposed to the tourist-heavy Xidi or Hongcun Villages. This it did not disappoint.

However, there is a great shame with the tourism here being largely undeveloped and so if you did not speak or understand Chinese, there would be no way of being able to hire a tour guide to explain the significance of this place. Yet, that’s what makes this place so serene and amazing to walk around in. No touts, no sellers and absolutely no one to bug you. Just the rest of the day to explore the village still functioning as it did 1800 years ago, right where it can trace its roots back towards.

Huangshan (黄山)

No, this isn’t a ripped off photo nor is it a painting - I took this photo myself.

Huangshan was the highlight of my trip, ascending on Christmas Eve and waking up to the spectacular snow-capped peaks of this amazing mountain range on the morning of Christmas. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful and a definite fulfilment of my long-term wish to spend a white Christmas somewhere. This shot was taken about an hour after sunrise as we made our way towards Lion Peak. Much of the cloud seas would move across these summits, randomly blocking your view when attempting to take a photo, a challenge indeed.

Breakfast.

Had these awesome freshly made dumplings/won tons in one of the dingy places found on Ancient Street in Tunxi, Anhui. The price? A mere 5 RMB (less than 1USD). But what makes the taste of the food even better is the ambience of the place - a simple no-nonsense room with an open-fire kitchen and the sweetest little lady who’d offer you more if you were still hungry. I couldn’t help but go for seconds!

Sometimes it’s the joy of allowing someone to watch you experience and love the taste of the food they make that make it a whole lot tastier.