at home in this world - Page 3 of 3 - How to Look Closer, Learn More, Get at Home in This World

Longji Rice Terraces Hiking: Dazhai to Ping’an

China is more than ancient imperial glory and modern futuristic cities. There is also beautiful nature, and in the case of the Longji rice terraces, the beautiful “human nature” of cultural landscapes. Going into the Longji rice terraces hiking, e.g. from Dazhai to Ping’an, is a great way of learning more about this part of […]
The Amazing (Longsheng) Longji Rice Terraces near Guilin in Golden Fall

Asia has a few areas with impressive rice terraces. Several of them are in China. The Longji “Dragon’s Back” rice terraces near Longsheng are one of Guangxi’s great draws, alongside the karst landscape of Guilin and Yangshuo. They are among the most diverse and impressive of these beautiful landscapes.
The Fantastic Jinsha River Valley around Nixi (Tibetan Sichuan)

Moving along the Ancient Tea-Horse-Road, I headed from Xianggelila (Shangri-la) in Yunnan further along the road towards Lhasa. This led into the area of the “Three Parallel Rivers,” to the Jinsha river valley, which is what the Yangtze is called here in its upper reaches. Even on this short day trip, it was just crazy […]
Yulong Xueshan, Lijiang’s Guardian Mountain

For a local mountain, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan) is far from Lijiang. When there are no clouds, however, it does rise above the Naxi minority’s (and romance’s) capital. It’s a fascinating place – and for me, a case for microexploration.
Yunnan’s Shangri-la: Tourist Trap, but Impression of Tibet

Lijiang is known as something of a tourist trap (although, there’s something to be said for it), but if you are a cynic, Shangri-la takes the cake when it comes to overt pandering to tourists. The name (change) is a dead give-away… but it should not keep you away. Actually, Shangri-la, the town formerly known […]
Travel Thoughts in Joseph Rock’s Footsteps in Yuhu, Yunnan

When we look back at the history of travelers, we soon get to explorers – and oddballs. We feel that we are living in strange times, seek adventure – and see others who came before mainly for their unenlightened eccentricities.
Lijiang: Capital of Romance, Naxi Culture – and a Dark Twist

Lijiang in China’s Yunnan Province is famous for its UNESCO heritage old town as a capital of romance – and of the Naxi ethic minority’s culture. That traditional romantic character and culture, however, comes with a side of suicide. [Content warning, obviously: This post will focus on the romantic side of Lijiang – but that […]
Dali, Yunnan: Laid-Back Heritage of a Buddhist Kingdom

The old town of Dali, beautifully located between mountains and lake, shows another side of China from the modern, bustling. The town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road has retained a lot of its laid-back calm, even as it has turned into a popular tourist destination.