Hiking photos - Auspicious Village to Huanghuacheng, 2011/03/06

Our hike started out easy, on relatively flat ground that looked like an old country road as we headed toward the distant cliffs ahead. After a while, we started a gradual ascent to a high point from where we could see where we'd hiked from and where we'd be hiking to. The views included a range of high peaks and a section of Great Wall on top of a long ridge running off into the distance. Because of the great weather and clear skies, we also got great views of numerous high, distant peaks far beyond the valley ahead.

On this hike, we were travelling through an area where the way of life has not changed much over the last century, and where many of the local residents still use donkeys as a form of transport. Therefore they are commonly seen in these valleys. This area is also heavily cultivated, mainly with chestnut and persimmon trees, and we had lunch in a chestunt orchard before continuing.

The last part of our route took us below the section of the Great Wall that we saw on the ridge. It still looked to be in pristine condition after hundreds of years. We hiked parallel to the wall for a few kilometers leaving it behind to head into the next village and back to the bus after another enjoyable day in the countryside.