Baiyun Mountain...we'd heard about it ever since we arrived. We can see it from the apartment; it's practically next door. It's not a high mountain, but it is totally covered in foliage - very striking!
So, we decided to walk there and see what it is all about. Leaving about 8 in the morning, we headed the several blocks to the delightful, colorful entrance of Baiyun National Park.
The park is stunningly beautiful.
It is well-maintained, with marvelous walkways, side hikes, shuttle service to the top - if desired, and an occasional little refreshment stand along the long long walk. The walk is through dense, lush green plants on both sides of the road. There was, at one point, a small lake where we saw some swimmers enjoying a cool dip on an extremely hot day.
Hundreds of people, many of them senior citizens, were walking along the roadway; talking, listening to music, laughing, pushing baby strollers, clapping. They had their parasols or umbrellas, backpacks, water bottles, hats, fans, handkerchieves over their heads, the men, bare-chested.
We trudged onwhard, ever higher. Then we came to a Pagoda-like building to stop for a minute to rest. Sweat was literally dripping off the ends of our noses. Allen's shirt was drenched in sweat. My glasses had long ago slipped entirely off my nose. My clothes stuck to my body. Ruth's face was flushed.
"How much further to the top?" Chye asked an older gentleman speaking in Mandarin. The gentleman smiled, "At least an hour. And, it will be very difficult for elderly people such as you are."
Ha! That made us all smile and laugh. Here was a senior citizen telling us it would be very difficult for us to get to the top.
So, we did the only thing truly possible.
So, we decided to walk there and see what it is all about. Leaving about 8 in the morning, we headed the several blocks to the delightful, colorful entrance of Baiyun National Park.
The park is stunningly beautiful.
It is well-maintained, with marvelous walkways, side hikes, shuttle service to the top - if desired, and an occasional little refreshment stand along the long long walk. The walk is through dense, lush green plants on both sides of the road. There was, at one point, a small lake where we saw some swimmers enjoying a cool dip on an extremely hot day.
Hundreds of people, many of them senior citizens, were walking along the roadway; talking, listening to music, laughing, pushing baby strollers, clapping. They had their parasols or umbrellas, backpacks, water bottles, hats, fans, handkerchieves over their heads, the men, bare-chested.
We trudged onwhard, ever higher. Then we came to a Pagoda-like building to stop for a minute to rest. Sweat was literally dripping off the ends of our noses. Allen's shirt was drenched in sweat. My glasses had long ago slipped entirely off my nose. My clothes stuck to my body. Ruth's face was flushed.
"How much further to the top?" Chye asked an older gentleman speaking in Mandarin. The gentleman smiled, "At least an hour. And, it will be very difficult for elderly people such as you are."
Ha! That made us all smile and laugh. Here was a senior citizen telling us it would be very difficult for us to get to the top.
So, we did the only thing truly possible.
We turned around and walked back down...saving the top for another, much cooler day.
And, remembering the shuttle sounds like a really great way to get to the top!
And, remembering the shuttle sounds like a really great way to get to the top!
Those Chinese people sound delightful. Did he say that in English?
ReplyDeleteAha, I notice a way that you have to not misplace your glasses! It looks like a gorgeous area, but the heat would kill me - I think you probably made it further than I would have.
ReplyDelete