<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <!-- saved from url=(0076)http://chinabackpacker.com/old/destinations/chongqing/trek_gongtan/trek1.htm --> <HTML><HEAD><TITLE>gongtan</TITLE> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=unicode"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16981" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY vLink=#3333ff aLink=#ff3333 link=#0000ff bgColor=#ffffff onload=""> <TABLE height=100 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=900 align=center bgColor=#ffffff border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD width=150><IMG height=80 src="../images/logo.jpg" width=150 border=0></TD> <TD> <DIV align=center> <DIV align=center><FONT face="Lucida Handwriting" color=#ff6633 size=5><B><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><FONT face="Lucida Handwriting" color=#ff6633 size=5><B><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><A name=top></A></FONT></B></FONT><FONT color=#ff0000>Trek Around Gongtan</FONT></FONT><FONT size=2><BR> <FONT face="Lucida Handwriting" color=#ff6633 size=2><B><FONT color=#ff3333>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</FONT></B></FONT> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <BR> </FONT><B>As per my visit in 2004 </B></B></FONT></DIV> </DIV></TD> <TD width=130><IMG height=80 src="../images/chinays.jpg" width=130 border=0></TD> </TR> </TBODY> </TABLE> <TABLE height=22 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=980 align=center bgColor=#ccccff border=0 mm_noconvert="TRUE"> <TBODY> <TR bgColor=#ccccff> <TD colSpan=2 height=2> <DIV align=center></DIV></TD></TR> <TR vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff> <TD vAlign=center height=20> <DIV align=left><FONT face="Courier New, Courier, mono" color=#6666ff size=2>&nbsp;<FONT face="Courier New, Courier, mono" color=#6666ff size=2><FONT face="Courier New, Courier, mono" color=#6666ff size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="Courier New, Courier, mono" color=#6666ff size=2><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><A href="../index.html" target="_blank"><FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color=#0000ff size=1>Home</FONT></A> <FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color=#0000ff size=1>&gt;&gt; <A href="../dest.html">Destinations</A> &gt;&gt;<a href="../pn/modules.php?name=Guides&file=province&province=Chongqing" target="_blank"> Chongqing </a>&gt;&gt; <a href="../pn/modules.php?name=Guides&file=show&destid=29" target="_blank">Gongtan</a></FONT></FONT></FONT> </FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV></TD> <TD vAlign=center width=300 height=2> <DIV align=right></DIV></TD></TR> <TR bgColor=#ccccff> <TD colSpan=2 height=2> <DIV align=center></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=center bgColor=#ffffff border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top colSpan=4 height=30> <TABLE borderColor=#ccccff height=180 width=180 align=center border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD height=40>&nbsp;</TD></TR> <TR> <TD> <DIV align=left> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 width="90%" align=right border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD> <DIV align=left> <P><FONT size=2><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#3333ff><A href="../pn/modules.php?name=Maps&file=showm&mapid=23" target="_blank">Walking Guide Map</A><BR> Trek 1:Above the cliff<BR><A href="t7.html">Trek 2:A-peng Jiang</A><BR> <A href="t8.html">Other Treks</A></FONT></FONT><A href="http://chinabackpacker.com/old/destinations/chongqing/trek_gongtan/trek_other.htm"><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#3333ff size=2> </FONT></A></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff3333 size=2><FONT size=3>GONGTAN<B><BR> </B></FONT><FONT color=#3333ff><a href="../dest/d29.html" target="_blank">A Thriving Past</a></FONT><a href="d29.html"><B><FONT size=3> </FONT></B></a></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#3333ff size=2><BR> <a href="../dest/d29_files/oldtown.jpg" target="_blank">The Old Town</a> </FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#3333ff size=2><FONT color=#ff3333>Traditional Houses</FONT><BR> <A href="../dest/d29_files/ranjia.jpg" target=_blank>Ran Family House</A><BR> <A href="../dest/d29_files/xiajia.jpg" target=_blank>Xia Jia Courtyard</A><BR> <A href="../dest/d29_files/zhinu.jpg" target=_blank>Zhinu Lou</A><BR> <A href="../dest/d29_files/rest.jpg" target=_blank>Yang Jia Hang<BR> </A></FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#3333ff size=2><FONT color=#ff3333>Around Gongtan</FONT><BR> <A href="../dest/d29_files/qingquan.jpg">Qingquan<BR> </A><a href="../dest/d31.html">Wu Jiang </a><BR> <A href="../dest/d31_files/trek1_xiaba.jpg" target="_blank">Xiaba</A><BR> <A href="../dest/d31_files/trek1_kuzhu.jpg" target="_blank">Kuzhu</A><BR> <A href="../dest/d31_files/trek1_tianshui.jpg" target="_blank">Tianshui Jie</A><BR> <A href="../dest/d31_files/trek2_u_zengtan.jpg" target="_blank">Upper Zengtan</A><BR> <A href="../dest/d31_files/trek2_l_zengtan.jpg" target="_blank">Lower Zengtan</A> </FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff3333 size=2>Easy Treks</FONT><BR> <FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#3333ff size=2><A href="../pn/modules.php?name=Guides&file=show&destid=29" target="_blank">Walking Guide</A></FONT></P> </DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD> <TD vAlign=top width=750> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 width=730 align=center border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD height=30>&nbsp;</TD></TR> <TR> <TD> <DIV align=center><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff3333 size=3>Trek 1: Above the cliff</FONT></DIV></TD></TR> <TR> <TD height=20> <DIV align=center></DIV></TD></TR> <TR> <TD> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2>Climb the stunning cliff on the opposite bank of Wu Jiang, discover several remote villages that can only be reached by foot in the territory of Guizhou. People in these villages: <A href="../dest/d31_files/trek1_xiaba.jpg" target=_blank>Xiaba</A>, <A href="../dest/d31_files/trek1_tianshui.jpg" target=_blank>Tianshui Jie</A>, and <A href="../dest/d31_files/trek1_kuzhu.jpg" target=_blank>Kuzhu</A>, live off the terrace farming. </FONT></FONT></FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2></FONT><FONT color=#ff6666>Walking time</FONT>: 4 hours. <FONT color=#ff6666>Height:</FONT> around 700 meters.<BR><FONT color=#ff6666>Food/Water:</FONT> Neither shops or restaurants are found on the trail. If local farmers are not busy with working in the field, they will be glad to cook something for you if you ask. <BR><FONT color=#ff3333>Access: </FONT>By ferry from Gongtan Upstream Wharf. Ferry service: Y1 per person, once every 30 to 45 minutes from 8:00 to 16:30. <BR><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><FONT color=#ff6666>Route direction</FONT>: Few folks, easy to find the direction.</FONT><FONT color=#ff3333> </FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></P></TD> <TD vAlign=top width=20>&nbsp; </TD> <TD vAlign=top> <TABLE borderColor=#ccccff height=23 cellSpacing=0 border=1> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG height=243 src="t6_files/trek1_map.gif" width=300></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR> <TR> <TD height=20>&nbsp;</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE borderColor=#ccccff cellSpacing=0 width=730 align=center border=1><TBODY> <TR> <TD> <TABLE borderColor=#ffffff cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=0 width=730 align=center bgColor=#ffffff> <TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top colSpan=4> <P align=center><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff3333 size=2><B><FONT size=3>Description</FONT></B></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><BR><IMG height=285 src="t6_files/trek1_1.jpg" width=350><BR></FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><B><FONT color=#ff3333>1.</FONT></B> Trailhead - Ferry on the opposite bank.</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><B><FONT color=#ff3333>2.</FONT></B> Sancakou Village</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><B><FONT color=#ff3333>3.</FONT></B> Col (x 1) where you meet the first fork: turn left - direction Xiaba Village, turn right - direction Tianshuijie Village. Take the left path heading for Xiaba.</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2>4. Arrive at <A href="../dest/d31_files/trek1_xiaba.jpg" target=_blank>Xiaba Village</A> (45 minutes from the ferry), located in a narrow gully enclosed by rolling peaks. </FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2>5. Pass through the village, follow the main trail zigzagging up. In 15 minutes, you will see the second intersection. The main trail heads for Huilongba. Take a smaller path turning to the right.</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2>6. Climb another 5 minutes, you reach the second col.</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><IMG height=263 src="t6_files/trek1_2.jpg" width=350><BR><FONT color=#ff3333><B>7.</B></FONT> From here, you can see the third col in the north and the trail becomes flat. In a clear day, you can enjoy a pleasant view of mountains on the opposite bank of Wu Jiang. </FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff3333 size=2><B>8.</B></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2> Immediately after the Col 3, you reach the next village (name unknown). From this village, you can see Tianshui Jie sitting on the steep south slope of the Col 4. It takes another 15 minutes to walk to Tianshui Jie. </FONT></P> <P align=center><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><IMG height=231 src="t6_files/trek1_tanshui2.jpg" width=170></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2> </FONT></P></TD> <TD vAlign=top borderColor=#ffffff width=10 bgColor=#ffffff>&nbsp;</TD> <TD vAlign=top width=350> <P align=left><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2>9. In the village (name unknown), take a trail heading for north, level with <a href="../dest/d31_files/trek1_tianshui.jpg" target="_blank">Tianshui Jie. </a>Never walk down. It's easy to find the direction as you can sight Tianshui Jie most of the time. </FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2>10. It takes one hour to walk from Xiaba to Tianshui Jie if you don't stop. In Tianshui Jie, you can either go back to Gongtan by taking a trail descending directly to the Col 1, or hike further north to Kuzhu Village. <BR> <BR><IMG height=222 src="t6_files/trek1_tanshui4.jpg" width=350> <B><FONT color=#ff3333>11.</FONT></B> It takes another half an hour from Tianshui Jie to <A href="../dest/d31_files/trek1_kuzhu.jpg" target=_blank>Kuzhu Village</A>. The trail stretches on the north slope of Tianshui Jie and rises up a little to the Col 5. Here the view is magnificent. You can see Gongtan deep below in the Wu Jiang Gorge. <BR> <BR>12. There is a folk after the Col 5. Take the path on the right. In 5 minutes you will see the village.</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2>13. The descent from Kuzhu Village to the ferry is very steep and slippery after the rain. Local people can descend to the ferry in 45 minutes. But I used 80 minutes. The trail, extremely narrow, hides under a canopy of abundant vegetation. </FONT></P> <P align=center><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2><IMG height=231 src="t6_files/trek1_3waydown.jpg" width=170></FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff3333 size=2><B>14.</B></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2> In 40 minutes, you can reach a ledge above the cliff facing the Downstream Wharf of Gongtan. From here to the ferry, your trek is accompanied by marvelous views of Gongtan and its beautiful stilt houses.</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff3333 size=2><B>15.</B></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2> Walk to this folk, if you walk downstream direction for 30 meters, you will find Manwang Cave. <BR><BR></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff3333 size=2><B>16.</B></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2> </FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#003399 size=2>To join the ferry, you walk upstream along the cliff.</FONT></P> <P align="right"><font color="#003399" size="2" face="Comic Sans MS">Written by Suyun in 2005. </font></P> <P align=center> </P> <P align=center>&nbsp;</P> <P align=center>&nbsp;</P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <P>&nbsp;</P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE borderColor=#ccccff cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=center bgColor=#ffffff border=1> <TBODY> <TR> <TD width=303 height=18><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#663399 size=2><FONT color=#9999ff><B>Uploaded in Chinabackpacker.com in 2005 </B></FONT></FONT></TD> <TD width=289 height=18><DIV align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#663399 size=2><FONT color=#9999ff><B>Moved to Chinabackpacker.info in 2010 </B></FONT></FONT></DIV></TD> <TD width=300 height=18> <DIV align=right><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#9999ff size=2><B><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=1>Copyright © Chinabackpacker</FONT></B></FONT></DIV></TD> </TR> </TBODY> </TABLE> <P align=center>&nbsp;</P></BODY></HTML>