Fall in love with road travel- the Huxiang Road.

sherry205500
Jul 7
3 min read

Between Lijiang and Shangri-La, there is a scenic road between the mountains and rivers - the Huxiang Road.

It is like a dynamic ribbon, connecting countless enchanting scenery, if you like road trips, you must not miss it.

As we slowly drive into Huxiang Road, the first station along the highway, you will reach the upper section of the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Here, the Jinsha River, like a surging dragon, roars through the canyon. Standing on the observation deck, you can see the towering peaks on both sides of the canyon reaching high into the clouds, steep and precipitous. The river surges in the narrow canyon, stirring up huge waves. White spray splashes up, glinting dazzlingly in the sunlight. The majestic momentum cannot help but evoke awe for nature's marvelous craftsmanship and boundless power.

The turbulent river

Enjoy a drive along the entire stretch of Tiger Leaping Gorge where there are many observation decks to stop for pictures.

On the way to the Haba village, you can see tall pine, spruce and other trees . The forest is filled with the fresh aroma of grass and trees, mixed with the fragrance of earth. Occasionally, you can hear the crisp singing of birds and the sound of squirrels scurrying between the branches, adding a bit of vitality to this peaceful forest. A total of 112 species of mammals, 446 species of birds, and 7,084 species of plants have been recorded in Lijiang. It is known as the "Alpine Plant Kingdom" and "Hometown of Medicinal Materials". It is one of the areas with the richest biological species in Yunnan.

Continuing deeper into the Huxiang Road, we arrive into Haba Village, is home to ethnic minorities, mainly the Naxi people. Their unique culture is deeply ingrained in every aspect of village life. Traditional Naxi architecture can be seen in the houses, which are characterized by wooden structures, sloping roofs, and intricate carvings. These buildings not only provide shelter but also serve as a showcase of the Naxi's exquisite craftsmanship. The villagers preserve their ancient customs and tradit.

Next we passed Baishui Terrace, Dubbed "China’s Cotton Castle," this natural limestone terrace resembles a frozen waterfall. The turquoise pools, formed by calcium-rich springs, glow under sunlight—perfect for photography.

As we past the Pudacuo National Park. The highest point in the park is 4,670 meters above sea level, and the lowest point is 2,347 meters above sea level. There are many unique small scenic spots such as fault cliffs, forest brooks, and deep canyons staggered, including relatively primitive and complete forest shrubs, alpine meadows, wetland lakes, geological relics, river canyon ecosystems, etc.

Then we entered the Shangri-La, the first thing it saw was the vast and boundless grassland. That is the Napahai grassland, under the gentle touch of the sun, like a large green blanket. The scattered wildflowers bloom freely, red, yellow, and purple, swaying in the breeze, adding colorful hues to this green ocean. In the distance, herds of yaks and sheep leisurely nibble on the green grass.

After that, we can choose to go deep into the secret place of Shangri-La, Niru Village. The traditional costumes here are pretty unique. The women are dressed in colourful Tibetan costumes, and delicate embroidery and accessories show off their exquisite craftsmanship. These costumes are not only worn daily, but also carry family heritage and national memory, and villagers dress up to attend important festivals and celebrations. Here, the influence of Tibetan Buddhism is far-reaching, and activities such as turning the scriptures and simmering mulberry are a form of spiritual sustenance. Singing and dancing is the soul of Niru village's folk culture. During the festive season, men, women and children gather together to dance the cheerful pot dance. In addition, Niru Village has a unique food culture. Traditional delicacies such as barley wine and butter tea.