Zhang Jia Jie

Before starting on our way up the 999 steps to the top (ladder to heaven).  It would help to be in shape before coming here.  We've seen people go up and down in many different fashions including backwards, sidewards and on all fours.

On a suspension bridge under a water fall (man made, it is turned off at night).

We were very lucky to get a glimpse of the panoramic scenery.  The guide told us it rains most of the time here.

There are many made up names and interesting stories for each formation.

The vista is like an ancient Chinese brush painting.  We wished that the view was clearer but we were told that this was the best it could be hoped for.






Our impression of Beijing was that China does everything on a large scale. You hear that Texas is big and they do everything big, but if you multiply that by a thousand times, you may get a glimpse of how things are done in China. Everything we saw was impressive in their size and scale; from the Forbidden City to the Great Wall. What we didn’t expect to see was the grandeur of the landscape that befits the largest country in Asia. Zhang Jae Jie is a place that’s located a two hour airplane ride south of Beijing, in the Hunan province of China. It is known for the most beautiful and breathtaking vistas of mountains; that is just like an ancient Chinese painting itself. In fact, in 1980’s a famous Chinese painter’s work led to this area becoming well known throughout the world.

Within 10 minutes of landing at the airport, we were taken to the longest cable car ride in the world (about 35 minutes), to the top of the Mt. Chunmoon (Heavenly Gate or Gate leading to Heaven). After a 30 minute bus ride zig zagging through 99 switch backs, what awaited us was 999 more steps leading to the top of the mountain. At the top of this agonizingly steep incline which Joanne and I climbed up, there was a natural opening in the mountain top that symbolized the gate way to heaven.


Zhang Jae Ji is not well known to the westerners yet (we only saw a total of 5 westerners while here) but is the top touring stop for Koreans who love mountains. It is a small city that is currently being developed for more visitors from all over the world and the city still lacks many facilities. I understand the city resembles the state of Korea in the 60’s and 70’s. Unlike in Beijing, we saw many of the locals living in poor conditions. The local indigenous people here are called Toga Jok. They are one of the 56 ethnic groups that makes up the whole population of China.



Bad habits I picked up while in China

- Shove and push people out the way – either while walking, getting on or off the bus, or driving; Chinese people believe in first come, first served.
- Stand very tightly behind a person when in line – you better keep your nose and body pinned on the back of a person in front of you, or else you will soon see someone else in front of you.
- Talking loudly – the decibel goes higher by the number of people in the room. With only two groups in a room you will have to have a shouting match.
- Hog napkins, toilet paper, or tissues whenever you see them – there’s no paper in the restrooms, so if you want to finish the job, you have to have the paper work ready in advance.
- Make bodily sounds - all kinds, either naturally or unnaturally generated, are accepted. In fact, in olden days empresses and emperors wore jade pendants and chains around their waist to make their presence known. So the louder it is, the better you’re noticed.
- Gargle with bottled water – I know it’s an expensive habit but we’ve been warned it’s better than being sick.
- Constant urge to go – you better go at any chance you can get; a decent restroom is hard to come by. Unfortunately, now I’ve developed an urge to go, even when I don’t need to yet.