Sichuan hike takes you between rocks in a hard place

A local vendor selling traditional musical instruments in the ancient town of Zhaohua.

Countless stone steps lead up to the tower, making it an impressive sight. The original tower used to serve as a fortress guarding the Shu area (ancient Sichuan).

After leaving the tower we were treated to the sight of statues and wall sculptures featuring elements from the Three Kingdoms period (AD 220-280), scattered throughout the lush green forests.

The local government is now developing hiking routes along the Shu Road to promote tourism and increase local residents' income, says Fan Xuechen, deputy mayor of Guangyuan.

"Hiking tourism can help protect ecology and culture along the road," Fan says.

The city is endowed with resources perfect for hiking. Blue rivers and lounging mountains make up much of Guangyuan's landscape, and weather shifts very quickly, shrouding the city in mist, giving the city a fairy-tale touch.

Besides Jianmen Pass, Cuiyun Corridor, less than an hour's drive away, offers a majestic sightseeing route that runs for 150 kilometers.

It was also part of the ancient Shu Road, which is shielded by towering cypress trees with corpulent roots and branches decorated with wild flowers.