In September of 2010, the team at http://www.accesschinatravel.com went on a Guilin Adventure tour at Maoer Shan Mountain outside of Guilin. It was a fantastic trip. We went to inspect the area to ensure it measured up to our quality standards. The scenery was breathtaking and it was a fantastic way for us to blow off steam and grow as a team. We took one of our tour busses, from Guilin to Maoershan. It was a 3 hour trip and we passed by and through Guilin's famous landscape and many small villages. The trip was beautiful, but not as pretty as where we were headed.
We arrived at our hotel which is the Guilin Adventure Camp. They host adventure tours. The hotel was simple, but very nicely designed, and very clean. The hotel is located between the foot of the mountain, and a river. The location is ideal and really lovely. The river that flows behind the mountain begins at the top of Maoershan. It is boulder strewn, and crystal clear. We could see clear to the 
bottom and watch the fish swimming in it. The river is crossed by a springy cable bridge, which was a lot of fun to cross. After exploring a bit, we prepared for our river rafting ride. We got fitted with helmets, flotation devices, and had a safety orientation to make sure that nobody got hurt. We then posed for a group photo and boarded our 
inflatable rafts. While we were waiting for everyone to board, we paddled around to get used to the rafts and we had some fun splashing each other. We then headed down the river. The current was pretty swift and had a few rapids, but nothing too large. The scenery was really spectacular. The river is so clear and it is lined with mountains, bamboo groves, and pines. The rafting trip took an hour 
and a half. We then got out of our rafts and were driven back to the hotel where we had a huge meal. The food was really wonderful. It was traditional local cuisine and was very fresh and we had built up large appetites, so it was very much enjoyed. We then went hiking around the hotel and along the river behind it before having an outdoor bonfire and barbecue.
inflatable rafts. While we were waiting for everyone to board, we paddled around to get used to the rafts and we had some fun splashing each other. We then headed down the river. The current was pretty swift and had a few rapids, but nothing too large. The scenery was really spectacular. The river is so clear and it is lined with mountains, bamboo groves, and pines. The rafting trip took an hour 
and a half. We then got out of our rafts and were driven back to the hotel where we had a huge meal. The food was really wonderful. It was traditional local cuisine and was very fresh and we had built up large appetites, so it was very much enjoyed. We then went hiking around the hotel and along the river behind it before having an outdoor bonfire and barbecue. 
The bonfire and barbecue was fantastic. The hotel had set up a couple large barbecue grills and had skewered meats and vegetables for us to cook on the grill. After we had all gorged ourselves, they lit the bonfire and we all sat around it singing songs. By the time the bonfire had burned itself down, we were all very tired, and went to our rooms for some well earned rest.The second day of our adventure:
In the morning we woke up and had a large breakfast. We then had the choice to either go paint-balling, or to hike up Maoer Shan Mountain. We chose to hike the mountain. It was an incredible hike. The mountain is gorgeous and is covered with bamboo groves and ancient pines. The paths up the mountain begin fairly level and gradually get steeper. The paths are paved with stone and very well 
maintained. The views are incredible and you never know what you're going to experience next. The paths tend to follow the river that flows down the mountain and passes the hotel. The water in its pools is incredibly blue. It looks fake, but it is natural. After hiking a while, we came across a couple of tea pavilions on the mountain. They were beautiful and nestled amongst the bamboos. 
We didn't stop on the way up. Farther up the mountain we came across the Dragon Spring. It is a pool fed by a waterfall. It was mesmerizing. The pool is very deep and a rich blue color. A lot of us took a refreshing dip in the pool. After swimming in the Dragon Spring, we hiked further up the mountain and came across some waterfalls and beautiful stone areas where the water widened and thinned and we could wade in it with only the sould of our shoes getting wet. It was a really fun experience. When we reached the top, we headed back down, and on the way we stopped at the tea pavilions for some oil tea. A traditional form of tea made by the Dong Ethnic Minority Group, oil tea is a real treat. 
It is bitter and complex and you add puffed rice, peanuts, and a bit of salt. After relaxing in the pavilions and enjoying the views, we headed back down the mountain and back to our hotel where we had another huge meal. After our meal, we checked out and got back on our tour bus for the ride home. Our Guilin aventure tour was so much fun. The landscape was really spectacular and we all got a lot of wonderful photos.
To see more photos of our trip, check out our Flickr photo albums:
No comments:
Post a Comment