Shimmer Shine Sojourn

 Songpan Ancient Town also known historically as Songzhou, is a walled town in northern Sichuan, China, on the route to Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong Scenic Area. Established as a frontier stronghold during the Tang Dynasty and fortified during the Ming Dynasty, Songpan guarded an important passage between inland China and the Tibetan Plateau. It also became a trading stop on the ancient Tea Horse Road, where Tibetan, Qiang, Hui and Han communities exchanged goods and traditions. Today, its old city gates, stone walls and streets reveal layers of history within an active mountain town. For travelers visiting Jiuzhaigou or Huanglong, Songpan offers a closer look at the region’s cultural past.   The stone city gate of Songpan, still bearing the historic name Songzhou, stands beneath a bright September sky. Songpan Ancient Town in Sichuan, China, was one of the stops on my way to Jiuzhaigou Valley. It was a very short stop, just 30 minutes. Yet, this little visit was far from f...

About 15 kilometers north of Lijiang Old Town, below Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Jade Water Village is also known as Yushui Zhai. I came away remembering the water first: its steady sound, the green pools, and the cool mountain air around them. Local reporting gives the scenic area’s average elevation as approximately 2,700 meters. The site includes slopes, steps and water-side paths, so comfortable shoes and an unhurried pace are useful. Check current transport, opening hours and ticket information before setting out.  The expansive and breathtaking natural landscape of Jade Water Village. Some places stay with us through a list of landmarks. My memory of Jade Water Village is less orderly. It returns in small scenes: water moving over stone, sunlight across the valley, and details I noticed when I slowed down. Following the water The springs flow through a series of pools and small cascades. In some places, the water is clear enough to reveal moss and fish beneath the surface. I f...

What makes Potatso National Park special? Located in Shangri-La (Yunnan, China) at an altitude of about 3,500 meters, Potatso National Park (Pudacuo) is China’s first national park. It is famous for its pristine ecosystem, featuring alpine lakes, vast meadows, and coniferous forests. For slow travel lovers, walking the long wooden boardwalks around Shudu Lake offers the perfect opportunity to fully immerse yourself in grand, untouched nature.  Potatso National Park Stepping Out at 3,500 Meters The journey to Potatso begins by lining up with many other visitors to board a public bus into the park. The atmosphere at the station was crowded and bustling. However, the moment I stepped off the bus at an altitude of 3,500 meters, all the chaos seemed to fade away. The vast space welcomed me with crisp air and a light, fluttering snowfall. The mountain and forest scenery seems to stretch on endlessly. The cold here was not biting or harsh; it was just enough to awaken the senses. The thin...

Nanning, the capital of Guangxi in southern China, is typically a vibrant, green city known for its lush tropical foliage and bustling street life. However, looking back at my time there years ago, my memories are painted with a very different, quieter brush.  Guangxi University by night. When recalling the earliest days of the pandemic in China, many people picture locked-down cities, absolute silence, and overwhelming fear. But looking back at Nanning through my memories, it wasn't quite like that at all. I had planned to celebrate Lunar New Year's Eve with my aunt's family by traveling to their home in Nanning. Before departure, whispers of a new outbreak had started to circulate, but I could not have imagined the severity of it. Since our visas were already issued and transport booked, we decided to go ahead with our plans. The unusually quiet streets during the Lunar New Year. Wide avenues completely emptied of the usual traffic. Heading down into a subway station in N...

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China, a city best known for its giant pandas, its fiery cuisine and a reputation for taking life at an easy pace. It is also a very large, modern city, with glass towers, busy shopping streets and long roads that stretch well beyond what a map suggests. This post is about one evening there, seen in pieces: a quiet bridge, a ride across town, and the lights of Chunxi Road. Some cities stay in my memory through a single landmark. Others stay as a handful of small moments with no clear route between them. My evening in Chengdu was the second kind. I saw only a few scattered pieces of the city: a red bridge facing the Twin Towers in the Financial City area, long taxi rides along wide roads, the crowds of Chunxi Road, the giant panda climbing the wall of Chengdu IFS, and a cup of milk tea in my hand. It was not much, but it was enough for Chengdu to slowly take shape in my memory. Chengdu glowing at dusk, setting a gentle and relaxed ...