Recounting part 3

Day 4

Again woke up at 4 am to watch the infamous (most time you never see it) sun rise.   By the time we got to the front of the hotel we found hundreds of tourist with the same idea.  The big basket ball court in the front of Bei Hai was just a sea of sleepy heads.  We shuffled along with the rest towards the Lion Peak, supposedly ideal place to see the sun.  But there were already hundreds of people gathered on that tiny outcrop.  While trying to find or own space we heard a roar from the front and much clapping.  It seems the sun has risen in the horizon.  As far as I am concerned it was pitch black and bloody cold to be out there.  Most of these people are tourists that stayed for the night.  The bulk of them headed back to their respective hotel for breakfast.  I was told after breakfast they will be herded down the mountain to their next destination.  True enough by the time we have eaten and gather our things for our trek, the whole area was quiet and peaceful again.

We took the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful mountain vista in the vicinity without all the tourists.  

The scene just outside the Bei Hai Hotel.  Workmen in uniform waiting to start their work.

There is a viewing platform outside the hotel.  And this is what you will see.  Gorgeous.

Another stunning vista outside the hotel.

Today we are going to hike the mysterious and supposedly the most beautiful (scenic) trail in Huangshan, the West Sea Canyon (Xihai) trail.

According to my research it starts from the Baiyun Hotel (White Clouds).  So we made our way towards that direction.   Even this journey from our hotel to Baiyun was filled with beautiful vista.


 

On the way to the beginning of the West Sea Canyon Trial, you see endless rolling mountains.

 

Every where you turn is a great photograph opportunity.

When we arrived at Baiyun Hotel, it was time to say goodbye to Kian Meng and Stephen.  They had to return to KL because of work commitment.

 

At the front of the Baiyun Hotel there is a reminder of no smoking in the open sign.  Here you turn right and follow small foot path.  We followed the path and it took us to the side of the hotel and almost to the back before veering off to the right into the woods.

The sign : Warm Reminding.  Smoking damages your health.  Smoking outdoors will affect the security fo the scenic area.

This is a graphical representation of the hike we took.  Our reference point was the Bei Hai Hotel.  From there we walked to Baiyun Hotel which is the start of the actual trial.  Here we trekked all the way down the 'V' and then up again the Paiyunlou Hotel.  The walk from Paiyunlou to Bei Hai took me almost an hour.  By then I was totally exhausted.

I shall not talk about what I saw along the trial.  All I can say is that I hope someday you will have the opportunity to see the place for yourself.

Not long from the start, the trail ended at this rock.  Upon inspection we found faint steps incised on it.  Treading carefully the path lead us into the wooded area.  It was kind of dangerous because there was no handrail or any kind of hold.  One misstep and you go tumbling a few hundred feet downwards.

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The West Sea Canyon Trial is primarily man made.  The path is hew from the solid rocks or concrete steps jammed into the solid surface. Photo credit : Tan Yee Chung.

It is amazing how the Chinese can build all these steps.  You can see the path keeps winding down or up depending on which way you are heading.  Whenever we meet someone from the other way, the favorite question is 'How far and long have you been walking'.  It gives you some kind of mental preparation for the road ahead.  I kept telling myself 'one more step means one less step to tread on'.  Photo credit : Tan Yee Chung.

Me hamming it up on one section of the trial.  As you can see there are not many people on this trial.  It is just mind boggling how the Chinese built these path!  Photo credit : Tan Yee Chung.

You can see me as a little speck in comparison to the spatial dynamic in this part of the park.  Photo credit : Tan Yee Chung. 

This is near the bottom of the trial before the ascend.  Photo credit : Tan Yee Chung.

Like any hike please make adequate preparation before setting off (water, food, energy bar, a light raincoat, sturdy walking stick, torchlight etc).  This is more so if you are walking the west sea canyon.  Tourist and most visitors to Huangshan do not come this way.  During your hike you may not meet anyone for a long period.  I think it is better if you walk in a group of four.  Any hiking manual will tell you never walk alone in such places. 

All in all it took me 6 hours to complete the trail.  I was glad I managed to get to the end before the sun disappeared.  The four of us, Karen, Andrew, Chung and I decided to have dinner at a little shop by the Paiyunlou Hotel. 

Our dinner at the end of the trail.  I remember it was in a small shop by the side of Paiyunlou hotel.  We ate out the rice out of styrofoam box.  Although basic the meal was rather expensive.

 The rest of the party has abandoned us many hours ago.  When we called them up some of them were already fast asleep from exhaustion!

After dinner we walked back to our hotel.  It has got to be one of the most arduous walk.  The distance in between the hotels are not far but you got to climb up and down hundreds of steps because of the terrain.  After the brief rest at the eating shop, this walk really was a test of determination.  By the time I got back to the log cabin, all I wanted was to wash up and crash into the bed.

{If you intend to hike the West Sea Canyon trail, please check the internet for news.  I just read the trail is now closed to visitors.  No one know when it will reopen}.