Month: December 2021

Top tips for visiting Shaxi Ancient Town and Shibaoshan – Traditional Yunnan

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Shaxi ancient town, Yunnan, China

Shaxi is a beautiful and traditional old town in Yunnan Province, China along the ancient Tea Horse Road, also known as South Silk Road. It’s a place not frequented by tourists and retains the charm of a traditional Chinese town. If you’re looking for an authentic experience away from some of the nearby tourists traps, then Shaxi is well worth a visit. Shibaoshan (Stone Treasure Mountain) is also close to Shaxi and make a fantastic day trip if you’d like a hike to temples located amongst stunning forested and mountainous landscapes.

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12 things you need to know when hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan, China

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Tiger Leaping gorge hike

Tiger Leaping Gorge is in my opinion one of the natural wonders of the world and an absolute dream for those that love hiking and the outdoors. The Gorge forms part of the Three Parallel of Yunnan Protected Areas UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was formed by the Jinsha River forcing its way between the towering Yulong and Haba Mountains and is one of the deepest gorges in the world at roughly 3900 metres. According to tradition a Tiger once leapt across the gorge, which is only 30 metres wide at its narrowest point.

If you are planning a visit to Yunnan Province in China then hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge is a must-do. Read on to find out all the things you need to know when organising a hike at Tiger Leaping Gorge.

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The endangered Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey – How to see the Snub-Nosed Monkey in Yunnan Province, China

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Yunnan snub-nosed monkey

When you first think of wildlife in China it’s usually the Panda that comes to mind. But the little known Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey is a wonderfully unique animal that also makes China it’s home. If you’re interested in seeing rare and incredible wildlife in its natural habitat then read on to learn a little more about this monkey and how you can go about seeing it in the wild yourself.

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Hiking in Hornstrandir without a guide – 5 day hike from Hesteyri to Veiðileysufjörður

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Hornbjarg, Hornstrandir

Whilst most tourists to Iceland may spend their time on the south coast, the West Fjords are a hidden gem that rarely get a mention. And even more so the incredible uninhabited nature reserve that is Hornstrandir. If you’re looking to hike amongst stunning scenery in an unspoilt wilderness, then Hornstrandir is the ultimate destination. I’ve been to all corners of Iceland, but this is by far my favourite place. Many people choose to hire a guide, however as long as you plan well in advance and have the appropriate gear, a self guided hike it easily achievable.

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Driving in the Lofoten Islands – One week road trip in Norway

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Munken hike view, Lofoten

Located well north of the Arctic Circle in Norway, The Lofoten Islands are a stunning archipelago of islands consisting of dramatic soaring mountains, deep fjords and beautiful beaches. Here you’ll see some of the best and most dramatic scenery Europe or even the world has to offer. I spent a week driving between islands here, staying in some lovely small villages and taking in some breathtaking hikes.

A week was an ideal amount of time to check out what the area had to offer, with only moderate driving times and distances leaving plenty of free time to get out of the car and explore.

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Perfect winter break in Estonia – Tallin and Lahemaa National Park

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Viru Bog, Lahemaa National Park in winter

Estonia might not be the first place you think of when planning a winter holiday, but we loved our time there and found there was plenty to offer at this time of year. Hiring a car also allowed us to leave the city of Tallin and explore the lesser explored countryside and national parks of Estonia.

In this post I’ll provide you with a short summary of our 5 night winter trip to Estonia, including what we did in Tallin and why we would encourage you to rent a car and explore the winter wonderland that is Lahemaa National Park in winter.

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