I have always been interested in the idea of transcending journeys of enduring hardship, during which one experiences spiritual and personal growth. However, lacking the mental fortitude to carry out such journeys I have instead contented my self with dabbling in minor adventures.

The act of pilgrimage known as Kora has long been a large part of the Tibetan culture. Traditionally whole families will travel thousands of km to a particular holy site in an act of faith, to obtain merit and a favorable rebirth. The three most important mountains in Tibet are, mt Kilash, the oldest known holy mountain, representing the body of the Buddha, mt Tsari in southern Tibet, representing the speech of the Buddha and on the boarder of Yunnan and the TAR is Kawa Korpa, Believed to represents the mind of the Buddha. I first circumnavigated this 6740m un-climbed peak in the winter of 2003. That was the spark for my bike journey there this fall. Though I planed to diverge from the traditional pilgrim route, to me the significance of the trip is much the same.

Hi Guys,

How are you doing? I will share myself and post here in the blog soon...

Thanks

JOy

10/02: Does this wig make me look younger? Please say yes.

 
Cat: Hyatt    10/02: Charlie highly advises to avoid this ride.        10/02: Valentijn is unsure if orange helmets actually do rule.

Kunming again, just off off the plane, I'm wearing the same shirt for the last week, feeling sticky and itchy. it's developped that stench of cotton after too many days with out being washed, of sweat and street dirt. this citys is changing, catching up, gone is the sence that you are in a strange and off beat place. all that remain is the pleasant feeling that it lacks every thing a city should have.

Mornings are noodles on the cool streets before sipping coffee on the side walk of the french cafe. taking in the noise of the city buses, girls selling iced tea over portable loud speekers, motors, brakes, and the old men in Mao coats with the winkled faces to remind me of how it once was.

Yi nation is one of ancient nations in Yunnan.
Their ancient people were related with Qiang nation,
now the population of 4.05 million . They are distributed over Chuxiong, Honghe,
Ailaoshang and areas of Xiaoliangshang in Yunnan.
Their language is a branch of the family of Tibetan and Myanmar languages.
Yi lives in a type of house of wood timbers battlement,
The fire of fireplace ( a hollow dug on the ground) is
never put off a year around in their houses.
It is the living center of the family so called "Fireplace Culture".
Yi's nature is so forthright, good at drinking,singing and having a felt on the back.
The family system is the structure of a husband and one wife forming a
small family. They prefer to the black color,
so in the history the Yi nobleman was always in black,
the white represented the "Wazi" meaning the serfs.
The man has a black scarf around the head and a set of black clothes.
But the woman is in colorful shining clothes.
Yi nation believes in the Master of Soil and multi-Gods religion.
Their main holiday is the "Festival of Torch" (Around in March) .

The population of the Lisu nationality is 580,000,half of whom live in compact communities in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture.The rest are scattered in Lijiang, Dehong, Chong, Chuxiong and Baoshan.Their ancestors were a branch of the Diqiang people.
They were called "Linman", "Shiman" or "Shunman" in the Tang, Song and Yuan Dynasties,and "Lixie" and "Lisu"on the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The Naxi nationality has a population of 281,000,
most of whom live in compact communities in Lijinag Naxi Autonomous County,;Ninlglang County, Yongsheng County and Weixi ,Zhongdian and Deqin counties in Diqing.The Naxi nationality has a long history.
Their ancestors were a nomadic tribe from northern China called "Qing". In upper reaches of the Jinsha River during the Sui and Tang Dynasties,and were called "Moshayi", "Moxoeyi" and "Mosuo". They called themselves "Na", "Naxi" means people who worship black or a nation. therefore "Naxi" means people who worship black or a great nationality.

Tacheng is located with  northwest cower of Yulong county,and has a long history of clolorful ethnic
traditions and exceptionally warm hospifality.In Lijiang it is called the land of the Dongba land and the Home of song and dance
it is a center for Dongba shamanism.
Xinzhu botanic garden,165 kilometers from Lijiang,contains with in its 10 square kilometer  area a number of deciduous plant species
The Xinzhu Botanic garden and tacheng are both inmportant centers for Dongba culture andplant ecology.
avisit to the  religious sites here requires two days.

Lashi Lake
With an elevation of 2500 meters,Lashi Lake is the largest highland lake in Lijiang County,
and an important habitat for over 70 species of migratory birds,the highest waterbird species
diversity of any lake in Norhwest Yunnan.
During the winter months ,the lake is home to tens of thousands of migratory birds.
including proected species such as the Black-necked Crane,

Wenhai Lake, a sub-alpine lake within the Lashihai Nature Reserve,
is another habitat for migrating birds, most notably the endangered black stork.
Each year, for reasons not yet completely known, Wenhai undergoes a transformation
from sub-alpine lake to grazing grasslands.
Beginning in early spring, the lake gradually disappears,
believed to drain through underground limestone formations to Lashi Lake,
about 500 meters below. Then, with the return of the summer rainy season,