Landscapes in Asia

Yihun Lhatso is a holy alpine lake located at 4010 m at the foot of the mountain Cholan Shan (6168 m). It is picture-perfect with a milky turquoise color with a gorgeous backdrop of rigged mountains crowned with snow. Along the shore, boulders have Tibetan mantras, like om pani padme um, carved into them and there are colorful prayer flags hanging down from the pine trees and even a stupa. The trail, used by yaks, on the east side of the lake will take you to the far end, where the views are even more breath taking - and it is not just because of the high altitude. This place is seriously pretty, and you will very likely have it all for yourself, beside the yaks.

This crazily named mountain reaches 5,596 m into the sky and is capped by the southernmost glacier on the northern hemisphere. One side of Tiger Leaping Gorge is actually formed by the far side of the mountain. The snow on the peaks is eternal and can be reached in classic Chinese fashion by cable car which goes as high as 4,506 m. Here you will mingle with smoking Chinese tourists inhaling oxygen from canisters while sliding down the slope on rented toboggans. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain can be reached from Lijiang on a fun, though a bit surreal, day trip. If you are looking for a bit of serious exploration of the mountain, you can then go skiing (there are a few ropeways), hiking and even mountain climbing.

China certainly likes to tout its beautiful lakes. And while many lakes closer to the interior of the country are quite nice, few can compare to Karakol Lake. About as far west in China as you can go, this beautifully set lake sees very few tourists, domestic or foreign. And the old adage of "getting there is half the fun" certainly applies to Karakol, as anyone coming to the area is forced to travel along the Karakoram Highway, arguably the most beautiful stretch of road on Earth. Whether opting for a brisk hike in the hills, or merely sitting by the lakeside taking in the spectacular scenery, Karakol is one lake not to be missed.

The lack of freedom to travel independently in Tibet means that getting to know the locals is nearly impossible. However, given just how jaw-dropping the scenery is, most people are willing to sacrifice that independence for a little while.
After spending the day winding your way up the mammoth mountains, avoiding potholes and massive drops, you finally reach the viewpoint above one of the world's highest lakes (4441 m).
Yamdrok Lake is the most stunning turquoise and, given the view of towering massif Mt. Nojin Kangtsang in the distance, it's definitely worth hanging around for a while. That is of course, if you can handle the altitude!

The bus journey from Manigango to the Dega, close to the Tibetan border, must rank as one of the most beautiful road trips in the whole of China. Setting out from the small Tibetan wild west town of Manigango, you will first pass the serene mountain lake of Yilhun Lhatso at the foot of Chola Shan (6168 m) and neighbouring snow caped peaks, before slowly ascending the hairpin road to the mountain pass at 5050 m (though our altimeter showed only 4850 m). There are chances to sight both vultures and marmots – and the occasional overturned truck having gone over the edge and crashed down the mountainside. When reaching the pass, locals will (if they are not too carsick) throw colored prayer notes out of the bus windows. From here, the road descends into a beautiful narrow valley carved out by a still flowing river. You will pass by small Tibetan villages, Buddhist stupas and monasteries with prayer flags going in all directions, before arriving (hopefully) safely in Dege.

Making your way to the top of Moon Hill in Yangshuo is the best way to appreciate the simply incredible landscape that the region is famous for. There are over 70,000 karst (landscape largely shaped by the dissolving action of water on limestone) peaks in the area and from this vantage point it appears they continue indefinitely! This is a view best experienced without the crowds but given the photo opportunity it offers, is usually full of domestic tourists. So make an effort to come early... or in the off-season. If you are into rock-climbing, it is also possible to climb some of the existing routes to the peak.

When you finally get a glimpse of the tallest peak in the world, all the hours spent winding through the Tibetan mountain ranges coupled with endless permit checks and of course altitude sickness, will immediately feel insignificant.

This is Mt Everest.

The himalaya ranges contain 14 mountains that are above 8,000 metres of which Mt. Everest is the highest, peaking at an awe-inspiring 8,848 metres above sea level. From the main lookout in the Qomolangma (Tibetan name for Mt Everest) National Park you can actually see not only Mt Everest but the entire range. It is reassuring to know that from the Tibetan side, Mt Everest appears as a perfect peak and is clearly the highest amongst its peers. Apparently, the view from the Nepalese side is slightly less impressive.

Many pilgrimages to the lookout have ended in disappointment due to the presence of clouds. Early May and early October are your best chances of clear skies.

Taishan is the most glorified of China's five sacred mountains and has been a place of worship for more than 3000 years. Emperors ascended to the top to get divine approval and it was also from the top that Chairman Mao declared that "The East is Red". Today, the mountain holds no fewer than 22 temples, 11 gates and about 6500 steps up to the peak. The strenuous walk to the top is 7,5 km one-way and is high on many Chinese's to-do-list, so join the millions that climb the stairs (or ride the cable cars) every year. The whole mountain is littered with view points, pavilions, famous calligraphy and natural sights like rock formations and ancient cypresses. When walking around the different temples, keep in mind that everything has been carried up on human backs, even today.

While in many other countries it's the international tourists you are trying to avoid, in China they pale in comparison to the fear of having to share a destination with coach-fulls of domestic sightseers. However, their reluctance to venture from the beaten path makes it a lot easier to find places to yourself. Yangshuo is one of the most popular destinations for Chinese to take their holidays but right nearby is the quaint, riverside town of Xingping. Many tourists do make their way here on day trips from Guilin or Yangshuo but leave long before sunset, leaving you to discover the beautiful town and the nearby farms in peace.
The windy cobblestoned paths will lead you away from the town and down to the bridge over the Li river, so you can enjoy the incredible spectacle of the sun setting behind the seemingly infinite karst peaks.

At low tide you can walk out to this spectacular natural rock bridge. The view of both the bridge and the beautiful coastline is best from the backside of the bridge, where there also are some rockpools with lots of small sea creatures. The rocks and dead corals can be super sharp or slippery, so wear sturdy footwear (they will get wet). There is another newly developed natural bridge a short walk pass the first one. Just make sure you have enough time to return before the tide shifts. The Natural Bridge is very popular with Indian tourists, so you might experience Neil Island's only traffic jam at the small parkering area.