The Ancient Tea Horse Road and the Best Restroom Under the Sky!

The Ancient Tea Horse Road (茶马古道) was historically used to transport tea from ancient China to Europe. The section starting from Tiger Leaping Gorge maintains an average altitude of about 2,700 meters. Although it is a high-altitude area, you don't need to worry about altitude sickness unless you have underlying health conditions.

As seen in the photos, there are locals who offer horse rides along the way. Depending on the section, the route connecting Yunnan Province to Tibet (Shangri-La) is not particularly challenging.

After exploring Tiger Leaping Gorge, you can take a "Bangcha" to Naxi Guesthouse to begin your journey on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. (What is Bangcha? It refers to a van-style taxi near Tiger Leaping Gorge, similar to a Hyundai Starex. Note that taxis or China's Didi ride-hailing service can be difficult to catch in this area due to local monopolies, and residents may report unauthorized services.)

Starting from Naxi Guesthouse, the trail leading to the 28 Bends is steep. The halfway point is Cha Ma Guesthouse, a very famous spot. The newly built accommodation facilities are decent. However, the breathtaking view of countless stars at dawn and the golden snow-capped mountains reflecting the sunset, as seen in the main photo, will make your visit worthwhile.

At Cha Ma Guesthouse, I had boiled chicken and Shin Ramyun, accompanied by kimchi. The owner mentioned learning from Koreans, and the taste was quite good.

The journey from Cha Ma Guesthouse to Zhongdu Guesthouse begins next. This section is mostly flat, with little incline. Along the way, you'll find rock markings indicating directions to Zhongdu Guesthouse. Additionally, ribbons tied to trees by Korean mountaineering groups make it easy to navigate without fear of getting lost.

Upon arriving at Zhongdu Guesthouse, you can visit the "天下第一测" (The Best Restroom Under the Sky). As the photos suggest, the restroom's claim to fame is not its facilities but the stunning view of towering, rugged mountains visible through the window—truly majestic.

The restaurant at Zhongdu Guesthouse is quite high-quality. I ordered several Chinese-style side dishes, and they were all delicious! The glass windows in the dining area also offer views of the mountains, making it a great place to rest.

The path from Zhongdu Guesthouse to Tina Guesthouse is a bit slippery. The soil is fine-grained, and the downhill slope is steep, causing me to fall once. Upon arrival, I enjoyed some ice cream at a convenience store. However, finding a Bangcha here was challenging due to the distance from Tiger Leaping Gorge. Taking a bus wasn't convenient either, so I had to negotiate skillfully to arrange transportation back.

Overall: Although I didn't trek all the way to the end of Shangri-La, the journey from Naxi Guesthouse to Tina Guesthouse offered diverse mountain views at each point. It's fascinating to think about how horses and people navigated such narrow paths. If you enjoy hiking or trekking, I highly recommend giving this route a try! Your eyes will be treated to incredible scenery!

Post by 귀여운폭탄 | Sep 3, 2025