DAY 58 - TIGER LEAPING GORGE TO SHANGRI-LA

The Boys Leave Tiger Leaping Gorge

Despite the fact that we have to face the inevitable and head back to Bangkok, we all decided that we should make the most of our Chinese leg and take a small trip North to Shangri-La for a bit of skiing. After another sketchy drive out of the Tiger leaping Gorge with a brief stop to see some rapids, we set off towards the Himalayas. See the Tiger Leaping Gorge video below...

About 30 minutes into the drive it started to snow and the Hummer headed into its first stretch of icy roads on the journey. We were all surprised at just how heavy the snow started to fall as we climbed higher in elevation. Several road blocks along the way formed by cars applying chains to their tyres and stuck trucks did nothing but slow us down to a crawl. Some of the vehicles attempting the ascent really took the biscuit. We saw a handful of 3 wheelers, a few random old tractors and countless Dong Feng trucks laden with goods. Even the police cars were getting stuck!

2,500 metres later our ascent panned out as we reached the outskirts of Zhongdian (Shangri-La). The place was barely recognizable, completely covered in 4 foot of fresh powder! Nonetheless we parked the Hummer in the old town and kitted ourselves out in our warmest layers to brave the elements and find food. We heard about about a nice place called Noah’s Cafe so we slid in for some food and internet.

The Hummer in Shangri-La

In Noah’s we chatted to a few Tibetans and a locally settled American called Kevin about the remote possibility of attempting the drive to Lhasa. Despite their hesitations, they believed it could be done with a proper guide and a few border bribes. Rest was needed after another hectic days driving so we found the nearest hotel which was freezing and got some sleep before our day of skiing and organizing tomorrow.