Stepping it up with Beijing hikers

Five pagodas and two stupas at Yinshan Mountain’s Fa Hua ruins.[Photo/Crienglish.com]

Only as people started gasping along the final ascent of Yinshan Mountain did the bouncing banter fade away. At the summit lookout, people joyously flopped down and admired the view, so happy with their accomplishment that they ignored the hazy view: "Wow. Wow. This is amazing."

The descent down the front of the mountain was swift, with pit stops to ring a massive Buddhist bell, and take in a Tibetan stupa and an "ancient" Buddhist rock carving. "It's fake," decided Paul Meyer, a German man who was accompanying his parents. Most hikers seemed to agree.

The cultural highlight of the trip was the ruins of Fa Hua Temple. The temple buildings were destroyed long ago, but five tall pagodas and two stupas had survived the ravages of time and society. Particularly picturesque with the backdrop of mountains, cameras busily filled up their SD cards. A hiker couldn't ask for sweeter denouement.

Sue King from England joined the group for a second time. "[The first time] was really good, well-organized; we were well fed," she said. "There was an excellent, excellent restaurant at the end. So yeah we thought we'd come again." This trip, she particularly enjoyed the lack of crowds. "Haven't seen anybody else today, have we?" she quipped.

Meyer was satisfied to do this trip with his parents, even though he missed the freedom of hiking solo. "There's not a lot of things you need to organize yourself so if you don't have a lot of time and you don't know any good spots, it's good." he stated. "It's not cheap but it's still okay, I guess."

Cost is indeed a factor that can cause people to balk at joining. Most trips cost around 400 yuan per head. But all hikers recognize the value offered for the trips: unique destinations, qualified guides with first-aid training, transportation, water and snack. Organization is top-notch, so hikers would be hard pressed to get lost or left behind. And of course, many hikes conclude with a generous country style meal (with beer included). Really, if you want everything taken care of for you, and taken care of well, you could hardly do better.