China Day 5 - Riding from Lijiang to Shangarila Via Tiger Leaping Gorge & White Water Terrace Scenic Area

Day five in China and this was one route that I had taken so it was not entirely new to me. Riding the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge route from Lijiang to Shangrila (Deqen) did give me a chance to see things I could not do last year.

The same pit stop one year later

Our Tour guide Nick per-arranged with one of his local bike club contact and they met us up at the gas station in the morning. They were fully custom bikes with sidecars decorated so nice that it was a lovely experience being escorted by them leading the way and also paving us up like we were on full VIP escort.

Local Biker Gang with sidecars being our escort through Tiger Leaping Gorge 

It was a Sunday and the bike clubs would routinely run the Tiger Leaping Gorge for fun. How cool was that. I could totally see myself doing this route multiple times throughout the year just for fun during the weekends. 

This time around the weather was clear instead of the gloomy cloudy weather with scattered rain a year ago. Blue skies and sunshine made the same route look so much different. 

Route S230 Via Tiger Leaping Gorge to Shangri-La

Route S230 Via Tiger Leaping Gorge to Shangri-La

If it was amazing a year ago with gloomy weather, this time it was so dazzling that I had to remind myself to push on. It is always an inner dilemma conflict when riding this route. 

Too many short stops and we wont reach Shangri-La in time to explore. Too fast and we would be missing so much on the scenic points that defers the purpose of riding this route.

It had to be strike as a balance but alas I think the best way was to have a double night stop in Shangri-La but our timeline did not permit it. 

The White Water Terraces, Holy Land of Dongba Religion 

The White Water Terraces, Holy Land of Dongba Religion 

This time round I did manage to squeeze in time to visit the White Water Terrace Scenic Area. Last year we dawdle too long that by the time we reach it was already close. 

The hike up was manageable and the view of the natural water terrace was beautiful. Photos really does not capture the beauty of nature in China. It’s really something to be seen with one own eyes.

Exploring Shangri-La Ancient City

Entrance to Little Potala Palace 

Going Round the Giant Prayer Wheel in Shangri-La

As much as I was careful with time management this time around. I still arrived Shangri-La last in the pack. A quick rush to the temple to pay my respects and three rounds at the largest prayer wheel in the world, it was time to head back to the hotel to meet up with our Tibetan Guide.

Tenzin introduced himself to the group at 9pm and gave us the general briefing for the following days entering Tibet Autonomous Region. 

While most of the group had lots of question on high altitude sickness and the conditions of roads, I was on a peaceful bliss knowing that tomorrow will be totally new adventure where I have no longer a prior knowledge advantage.

Traveled on: May 2024