Wulingyuan Scenic Area Part 2

They sell a four day pass, which is the one we bought because it was the best value even though we were only planning on using it for three days. But really, you only need two days in the park. Even though the scenery is spectacular, it gets to the point where you feel like you're seeing the same thing over and over.

The weather wasn't getting any better, but the worst of it was over by noon. So just before lunch, our hostess here at the guest house drove us over to the East Gate entrance, and we took a bus to a lower hiking area where we set off on a 6 km (3.7 mile) walk following a river.

As soon as the bus stopped at the hiking area, it started to rain again! We took cover in a restaurant where we had some lunch, but it was overpriced and not very good. 

On a rainy day it sure is dark under all those trees!

Still, it was a kind of a nice walk in the rain.

The river was really flowing!

From the riverside, all the views are looking up.

It was definitely a different perspective compared to viewing from the top.

The bright side of the weather is that the park wasn't super busy.

We finished the 6 km walk by the river, and hopped on another bus to get to another cable car station. They do have a great system of transportation within the park. Really efficient, but of course there would be lineups during nicer weather on Saturdays and Sundays. Honestly though, we would not want to visit on a weekend!

There are over 30 bus stops in the park, and three different cable cars. 

This is the shortest cable car route, but I thought it was the best of the three.

I am amazed that they can build these things up here.

How did they install that support tower??

At the top is a path with several viewpoints.

They call this "The Elephant"

The six peaks.

It stopped raining, but things were pretty wet.

Very cool scenery.

Of course there is a pagoda up there too!

We had sat for breakfast that morning beside a couple of American girls... Dorothy and Carina. They were interesting to talk to, and we had made plans to meet for dinner. Plus, Dorothy's parents were originally from China, so she speaks the language!

We shared these four plates. 

Left is a sausage dish, then top is a spicey chicken dish, then a shredded potato dish, and cabbage.

Dorothy, Carina, Ruth, and Kevin.

They are university friends from California. But Dorothy is about to start her first professional career job in New York City as a physiotherapist! Carina's parents were originally from Hong Kong. So she can speak Cantonese, while Dorothy can speak Mandarin. But they were both born in the U.S.. Fun girls to talk to, and we might even meet up with Dorothy again because she'll be in Tokyo at the same time as us.

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