Southwest China

Author: Gao Hongsong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-03-01
Features: The southwestern secret realm, hidden deep in the mountains, has always held unparalleled allure. Traveling south from the Sichuanese paradise, through Guizhou, into Yunnan, and then turning toward the snow-covered plateau of Tibet, the scenery along this route is profound, perilous, and exquisitely diverse; the culture along the way is pure, mysterious, and deeply moving. Returning to this land, returning to the love that is unattainable in life. For thousands of years, China's southwestern region has remained hidden behind its deep and rugged landscapes, and reaching it has always been exceptionally difficult. Precisely because of this, it has preserved numerous pristine and magnificent landscapes and colorful, unique folk customs, becoming a splendid destination for independent travelers to reconnect with nature and explore different lifestyles and cultures. This book is compiled and updated based on the previously published "Tibetan Antelope Self-Guided Travel Handbook" volumes on Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan-Chongqing, and Tibet. It increases the proportion of essential practical information for independent travelers, removes some introductions to cultural and historical background, and updates train schedules and other details. It covers the currently most popular travel destinations in the southwestern provinces, making it a very practical travel guide for the region. For travelers who wish to explore the southwestern provinces in depth, the individual volumes for each province would be more suitable.
The author of Yunnan is Zhao Yu, a native of Yunnan who was born and raised there. She has a deep love and familiarity with this magical land, and a strong interest in the unique customs of its various ethnic groups. Her repeated in-depth explorations of Yunnan have made the descriptions and information in the book both engaging and practical.
Li Ying and Wei Peiyanyan are the authors of the eastern and western regions of Guizhou, respectively. They are very authentic individuals who live and travel in their truest form, and the Guizhou they portray in their writing is as rustic and colorful as it has been for millennia. The more you learn about Guizhou, the more you will love it.
The author of Sichuan is Yang Bo, who loves travel and photography. The landscapes of Sichuan he describes are truly the sights of backpackers, and his choices of attractions and provision of practical information are proud and accurate, as he has personally visited every step. This book's Sichuan section has been updated with the latest phone numbers for Chengdu, adjusted ticket prices for some attractions, and other information.
The author of Chongqing is Gao Hongsong, a senior editor of the "Tibetan Antelope Self-Guided Travel Handbook" and an experienced solo traveler. She has personally explored the various landscapes of Chongqing, capturing the authenticity of this land from the perspective of a traveler, which is still well reflected in the Chongqing section of this book.
Tibet, the ultimate destination beloved by countless independent travelers, is described by two authors. Zhang Tao is responsible for writing about the splendid Tibet, the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, the Yunnan-Tibet Highway, Nyingchi, Shannan, and Chamdo. You will find his distinct personality in these writings. The travel guide, practical information, Lhasa, Shigatse, northern Tibet, and Ngari sections are provided by Zhao Jia, who has spent multiple stays in Tibet as a photographer. This book preserves much of his insightful experience in the region.
The book is arranged in the traditional order of the southwestern three provinces—Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan (Chongqing)—plus the western snow-covered plateau of Tibet. Some chapters have been adjusted to make the entire book more complete and practical, and it is believed to help independent travelers better complete their journey through southwestern China.