Gillick's World Explores China: Hunan, Guangdong and Guanxi | Page 10

After the boat ride we were promised a ‘gleaming glow’. Let me explain. We started our climb, passing by the
Danxia Sheer Cliffs that are absolutely massive at 100 meters high and 300 meters long. We soon reached
Tianyi Alley, a 239 meter long path with stairs and walkways that cuts through a mountain where ‘only a gleam
of light is in sight’ and hence the gleaming glow. This was followed by a walk through Yuxian Alley, another
narrow passageway covered in green moss and lichens and where your shoulders brush the rocks on either
side as you pass through the narrowest sections.

In the afternoon we headed out to the Bajiaozhai Scenic Area. 1777 steps lead to a viewing platform where 8
rounded mountain peaks mystically huddle together and occasionally poke through the mist and clouds. We
thought of the concept of Yin and Yang. Yin is the suffering, which for us was climbing all those steps in the
humid heat of the day, after gorging ourselves at lunch time. The Yang is the reward: awesome views of the 8
peaks from the viewing platforms. Then Yin steps in again (literally) as our legs are now wobbly from the
morning and afternoon climbs and we descend the 1777 steps. The Yang is the amazing experience and the
feeling of accomplishment.