The outside looks massive but not really something that I would consider very attractive. The inside however was filled with delicate detailed paintings of Buddhism which one can get lost for hours just studying slowly.
 |
| La Harmony Tazhongta Stupa - Shangri-La |
Second stop was Napa Scenic Area which was apparently a big lake during winter set with mountainous backdrop but in the summer it was a large grassland where many tourist in China style come to get photos of traditional costume with grassland background.
 |
| Napa Scenic Area |
We pushed on after that and this time really making the elevation climb going from Shangri-La at 3000m all the way to mountain pass of 4400m then finally ending the day at Deqen 3300m. It was only a 200km journey for the day but it was a long day going through winding mountain pass roads.
In a way this day was designed to acclimatize us to high altitude. A climb up then down back and an overnight stay to get used to the Tibetan high elevation for the days to come. We were traveling initially along the Jinsha river and had a stop at the Jinsha Great Bend scenic view where the river makes almost a 360 turn.
 |
| Riding Route G214 - China |
 |
| Awesome Views while slowly climbing Elevation through Route G214 |
 |
| Jinsha River Great Bend |
At the bend I notice two girls on a moped. Small tires, a scoopy type motorbike but with two girls having tremendous luggage somehow strapped onto the bike. I counted six baggage in that little bike and they were two up as well. The main rider was even the cute short leg bike-girl that could barely tiptoe to reach the ground.
 |
| Two Girls on a Moped Scoopy bike conquering the G214 & G318 Journey to Lhasa Tibet |
Looking at them, I told Bragge that if these girls could do it with a moped to Tibet, there was no reason why I cant too. Morale booster and we kept going climbing up higher and higher till we hit Bai Ma Snow Mountain National Reserve scenic viewpoint.
Approximately this was the highest elevation so far for this leg today at 4400m and mandated a stop to admire the view with coffee.
We reached Deqen nice and early I would say around 4pm but the weather was cloudy. The highlight of Meili Snow Mountain National Park was obscured but even that was a great view already.
 |
| Bai Ma Snow Mountain National Reserve Scenic Viewpoint |
No worries our Tour Guide Nick said. We would have a good chance to see it during sunrise. The idea was to see the peak during sunrise or sunset when the rays would color the snow cap peak golden.
Next morning true enough, a beautiful mountain range basked in golden light started our day.
Next morning true enough, a beautiful mountain range basked in golden light started our day.
 |
| Meili Snow Mountain Scenic Viewpoint |
Traveled on: May 2024
No comments:
Post a Comment