📅 19th September 2025 📍Jianshui, China

Through the Clouds: Peaks, Valleys and the Approach to Jianshui

Our path wound steeply through the mountains, climbing to 2,000 metres and cutting through low, drifting clouds—the shifting landscape beneath us changing with every kilometre. Along the route, we could spot several vast cities from our vantage point; immense urban centres tucked discreetly inside valleys, each seeming to exist as a world unto itself.

The drive was dotted with enormous greenhouses stretching across the landscape, their scale impressive even by Chinese standards. As dusk approached, we pressed onwards until our day’s journey brought us to Jianshui.

Nestled within Yunnan’s rolling terrain, Jianshui is renowned for its ancient gates, beautifully preserved temples and tranquil gardens—a haven of authenticity amid dramatic scenery. The city receives you with its slow pace and rich layers of history, a fitting end to a day spent travelling between peaks and clouds.

Next stop: Jinghong