Cannot find any suitable photos for latest destination until I can download my own, so please ignore them. The computer insists you select one! Hello again. Still feeling groggy after very early start yesterday. Flight from Chengdu to Guilin was uneventual, only taking an hour and fifteen minutes. This was followed by a one and a half hour coach ride (air-conditioned!) through Yangshuo to Chaolong on its outskirts, where we spent one night. The scenery alon...

`HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!!!! Before you ask why you have a picture of an orangutan - it's because there isn't a photograph of a giant panda! Arrived safely in Chengdu after a marathon journey on the bus. Staying in a lovely hotel (again - the accommodation on this trip has far exceeded expectations). Chengdu has a population of 11.3 million and is the capital of Sichuan Province. The city has a subtropical humid climate. On average it has a frost-free period of...

A very quick entry as others are waiting to use the one computer in town. Had an overnight stop in Tankor where I slept in a very damp room on damp sheets - not pleasant. Songpan is a pretty little town. Have a free day here today to look around and doing some walking. Some have opted for the horse trekking but I thought that might be a little bit too challenging for me! The homestay was a true highlight of the trip and I can't wait to show you all the photo...

From our guide book: Langmusi is a calm and tranquil monastic village in a beautiful woodland valley. It is said that the border between Gansu and Sichuan provinces runs straight through the centre of the village, technically placing the two monasteries on each flanking hill in separate provinces. Many legends and spiritual histories are associated with this area. The Tibetan name for the village comes from two such tales. Taktsang means 'Tiger's Cave', refe...

Back for lunch. Leaving for Langmusi at 2pm - a 5 hour coach trip! This province we are in used to belong to Tibet before China took it over - the Tibetans don't seem to have a lot of time for the Chinese, understandably! Most of the people around here are nomads and yesterday we visited a nomad village (have I alrealdy told you that?). Hotel accommodation throughout when we were expecting dorms and guesthouses - much more comfortable so far than I was expect...