For Guo Qing Jie (National Day) we were given a week off from classes. We decided to take the opportunity to get out of the city and travel deep into the Qinling Mountains. The Foping Nature Reserve is located in the southern watershed of the range. After braving some pretty treacherous mountain roads we arrived at a perfect time to see the leaves changing color at the higher elevations. We hiked 10 kilometers through the mixed conifer forest past waterfalls, paper-bark birch trees (hua su), lychee trees, cold mountain streams, and bamboo groves. Kalila was in heaven! She was free to barrel through the brush, examine colorful leaves, and do some birdwatching. She was shrieking with joy at every turn. This was the first place we've been in China that wasn't swarming with people. It is so far off the beaten path that it is not a tourist destination as much as a place for biologists to research the rare species endemic to the Qinling Mountains. We were blessed with great weather and had tremendous luck in tracking the animals.
For Guo Qing Jie (National Day) we were given a week off from classes. We decided to take the opportunity to get out of the city and travel deep into the Qinling Mountains. The Foping Nature Reserve is located in the southern watershed of the range. After braving some pretty treacherous mountain roads we arrived at a perfect time to see the leaves changing color at the higher elevations. We hiked 10 kilometers through the mixed conifer forest past waterfalls, paper-bark birch trees (hua su), lychee trees, cold mountain streams, and bamboo groves. Kalila was in heaven! She was free to barrel through the brush, examine colorful leaves, and do some birdwatching. She was shrieking with joy at every turn. This was the first place we've been in China that wasn't swarming with people. It is so far off the beaten path that it is not a tourist destination as much as a place for biologists to research the rare species endemic to the Qinling Mountains. We were blessed with great weather and had tremendous luck in tracking the animals. 
2 comments:
Sam, Alice and Kalila, I love your blog! I'm learning a little about China in the process and the pictures and the things you are doing are phenomenal! You are definitely more adventursome than I ever was or probably will be. I like a little more planning and researching in my travels and don't tend to venture off the "tourist" route! Some would say I'm chicken! Love, Aunt Donna
check out the size of kalila's teeth!
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