Hiking with the Masses

It's particularly common with Chinese companies to treat their employees to an annual outing. The outing is usually a 2-3 day vacation taken with colleagues (and sometimes their spouses) and paid for by the company. This past weekend, the two of us went with Zach's company to Huangshan to see the famous Yellow Mountain area, a popular tourist destination and a place we've been wanting to visit for a while.

There are a few truths to every Chinese outing. First, there must be a flag present. And that flag is always held by a tour guide that likes to talk. Loudly. And Constantly. On all of the annual outings we've attended (this is our 4th), we usually tend to be the only foreigners, so we can't understand the tour guide, and never really know what is going on or where we're supposed to be. Fortunately, our co-workers know this, and are kind enough to let us know what time we need to get up (always before 7am) and when we're eating.

We were fortunate to have clear, crisp autumn weather for the trip.













Unfortunately we had to share it with a huge percentage of the Chinese population. We had to wait over 2 hours for the cable car just to get up to the hiking trails.

















And once we got to the hiking trails (which are really just miles of cement staircases placed up and down the mountain), it didn't seem to get any better.

A picture of Tiffany waiting patiently on the steps to get to the top of the mountain.





















Who knew you could feel even more claustrophobic outside of Shanghai?














Gorgeous mountain scene, but note the small, ant-like line of people on the staircase to get up the mountain.













So much for enjoying some peace and quiet in the mountains. These people were vicious, elbows were constantly thrown and cigarette stops put a hamper in that fresh outdoor air we were hoping to experience. Not to mention, there was a crossover of tour guides with their megaphones each giving their own individual commentaries.












Tiffany really misses her less populated, smoke-free Colorado hikes.



















What a fantastic view. And gloriously highlighted by the yellow flag!











Alone at last!












The saying 'Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute' hasn't seem to hit China yet, so there were plenty of workers around to pick up litter and sweep the steps (in between crowds, of course).




























There are a few hotels at the top of the mountain, and the only way to get there is on foot. Supplies for the hotels and restaurants must be carried up by porters like this one. Things we saw porters carrying: budles of sheets and towels, crates of beer, construction material, a flat screen tv, even canisters of propane! Luggage must be carried long distances by guests, as the hotels are at least an hour hike from the top of the cable car. Of course, you can always pay someone to carry your bags. Fortunately, we packed light!








Zach enjoying the sunset.











Regardless of crowds, the views were gorgeous.










The 2 hotels at the top leave a lot to be desired. Mr.'If it's not 5-star, I'm not staying here' Zach almost had a heart attack when he saw the door open to our neighboring room and thought we may be sharing our room with strangers. Fortunately, we had a double, unfortunately, we still had to share it with the bugs...
































After a 7 hour day of non-stop stair climbing and crowds, we spent the 2nd day in Huangshan at a small village called Hongcun. The water town was the setting for part of the film 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'. The town was lovely, but we (and our sore calves) were more relieved that it was flat and stair-free.

All in all, the trip was another eye-opening China experience, and allowed us to check off another place on our 'Must-See' List!