Yunnan Adventure: Conquering Haba Lake and a Lucky Escape!

Join me on an unforgettable solo adventure through the stunning landscapes of Yunnan, China!

April 6, 20263 min readtravel

Yunnan Adventure: Conquering Haba Lake and a Lucky Escape! — Solo trip to Yunnan, China

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Get ready for an epic adventure that’s brimming with sunshine and pure energy! Our latest journey takes us deep into the heart of Yunnan, China, a place that’s practically bursting with vibrant experiences and breathtaking sights. From conquering the challenging heights of Haba Lake to finding moments of pure magic in ancient towns, this trip is a testament to the power of a bold spirit and a curious heart. It’s all about embracing the unknown, pushing your limits, and discovering the incredible beauty that awaits when you dare to explore.

The climb to Haba Lake was no joke – a true test of grit at a staggering 4200 meters! But with a little help from a new friend and a whole lot of determination, we made it. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the toughest challenges lead to the most rewarding views. And talk about timing! The day after our visit, entry to the lake was closed, making our adventure feel even more special, a true lucky escape. This kind of spontaneity is what makes travel so exhilarating, right? It’s the unexpected twists and turns that often become the most unforgettable parts of our stories.

Beyond the epic hike, Yunnan unfolded like a dream. We explored the serene Songzanlin Monastery, letting the peaceful energy wash over us. Then there was the stunning Black Dragon Pool and Tinghua Valley, a wonderland of flowers where love was in the air with countless engagement photos being taken. Imagine that! Even getting lost in a Lijiang alleyway revealed a glimpse of a perfect sunset, painting the sky with golden hues. And let’s not forget Blue Moon Valley, where the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain made a grand appearance, reminding us of nature’s incredible artistry. Finally, the Three Pagodas in Dali and the Giant Prayer Wheel in Shangri-la offered moments of reflection and awe, grounding us in the rich culture of this amazing region. Yunnan truly is a destination that ignites your spirit and fills your soul with positivity!

Some photos I took during my October 2025 trip to Yunnan in China (South Western).

Haba Lake (4200m) - I found a guide on 小红书/rednote a few nights before visiting. Apparently the day after I went, the gov closed entry to all visitors. The hike itself is probably the hardest I’ve done. My guide ended up carrying my bag from halfway and at some point pushed my back from behind to make me go faster lol
Songzanlin monastery, Shangri-la
Black Dragon Pool, Lijiang.

4, 5, 6. Tinghua Valley, Lijiang. So many beautiful flowers here and many people having their engagement photos taken.

A glimpse of sunset in some alleyway in Lijiang Ancient Town.

8, 9. Blue Moon Valley, Lijiang. I was lucky to get a lot of visibility of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain throughout my Lijiang trip.

10, 11. Three Pagodas, Dali.

Giant Prayer Wheel, Shangri-la.

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Briefing

Source: travel
Published: April 6, 2026

Yunnan Adventures: A Week of Wonders and Wild Mushroom Hot Pot
p1-2: Erhai Lake, Dali p3: Yunshan Ping, Lijiang p4: Blue Moon Valley, Lijiang Just got back from a week in Yunnan with a friend. We did Kunming, Dali, Lijiang by train. Every stop was worth it. Kunming was mostly food. Stone Forest and the Ethnic Village were solid, but I keep thinking about the wild mushroom hot pot. The server brought it over, set a timer on the pot, told us not to touch it. There's a mushroom in there called jianshouqing that's apparently toxic undercooked. So we sat there, hungry, watching soup. When the timer went off I grabbed a bowl of broth and it barely looked like anything special but the flavor was deep. I think this is what Chinese people call xian. Dali was where we slowed down. Erhai Lake was stunning, wedding photoshoots everywhere, can't blame them.Second day I planned my route based on recommended spots from EasyGoChina and checked out Seven Dragon Maidens Pools and the Chongsheng Three Pagodas. Best part though was a bonfire after dinner. Ethnic minority aunties led everyone in traditional dances, tourists, locals, old, young, everyone holding hands around the fire. None of us knew the steps. Perfect. A local guy told me they have a Torch Festival in summer that goes way harder. Coming back for that. Lijiang was the one that got me. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from Spruce Meadow looked fake. Photos don't do it. Couldn't make it to the summit because altitude hit me hard, but I'd bought an oxygen canister ahead of time. No shame. Then Blue Moon Valley. The water was this shade of blue that looks edited in photos. It's not. Spring weather was real, sunny every day, perfect temps. But wear sunscreen. The UV at altitude is no joke. Got home and my family said I was a full shade darker. If you're on the fence about Yunnan just go. submitted by /u/mountainrainheaven [link] [comments]
Xi'an Adventures: 11 Days Exploring Beyond the Tourist Trail
Hello everyone! This is a small snippet of my solo trip to Xi'an, in China. I spent a good 11 days in the city, and therefore really had time to explore small alleys, streets, and places apart from the famous touristy areas. Here, I would just like to give a rough itinerary and choronological flow of how I spent my 11 days in Xi'an. I would like to mention that because I am entirely fluent in Mandarin, I was able to travel freely by myself and go to places without guides. Therefore, I could really explore out of tourist area places, and used all forms of local transportation with ease (the QR bicycles, metro, high-speed trains, buses, etc.) Feel free to ask any questions and I'm happy to answer them! 1) Muslim Quarters in Xi'an This place is really cool, as you get to see for yourself Chinese muslims and how they get to practice their religion, once you get past the touristy shops touting their "old wares" (which actually, aren't old at all). I got to visit even during prayer time and could even partake in it, although out of respect, I did not publish the photos here. 2) Local Xi'an Cuisine They call it 泡馍 (pao mo) which is a really dense bread, broken into bits, then cooked in broth and lamb or beef, soaking up all the goodness. It is supremely tasty and as if tradition in North-West China, portions are massive. There are a lot more food I've had in Xi'an, but this I've chosen to post because I think anyone coming shouldn't miss it. 3) Visiting the Terracotta Army and First Emperor's Tomb Site You have to see it for yourself to understand how massive it actually is. It's grandeur, and the intention behind it, shows the staggering and frightening power of the First Emperor of China to be able to do this in ancient times. His mausoleum is massive and basically he built himself a small miniature city. It takes more than 4 hours on foot to just walk the circumference of his mausoleum site. 4) Visits to Small Boutique Stores These photos are littered in this post, as I really took time to explore different places. 5) Climbing up Huashan by Foot Entirely (But Took The Cable Car Down) I completed all five peaks in a single day under 9 hours (usually it takes 13 hours) - I only preprared six bananas, and 4 litres of water with me. I do not recommend people to do this if you do not have the fitness. By the end of the fifth peak, my legs had barely any strength left since I didn't go into any pit-stop inns along the way. However, I spent time to enjoy each peak before moving on to the next peak! It is staggeringly beautiful, and I went during spring time so the weather was so perfect, at low 10 - 15 degree celcius! 6) Went to Local Boutique Tea Houses + Biang Biang Noodles Possibly the best showcase of chinese hospitality, where I spent hours chatting with the owners and staff in the tea houses, getting to drink really top quality tea in whole, and eating the famous Biang Biang noodles in Xi'an. TL:DR ---> This trip was really memorable, and Xi'an is a beautiful place, especially if you look and travel beyond the usual tourist spots for a complete experience. I'm happy to answer any questions you guys might have :)! submitted by /u/_SmilingElephant [link] [comments]