I stayed in Lhasa for the past few days from Day 26 to Day 31. This part of the photos is still lost. I took the damaged hard drive to a friend to restore it a while ago, but still to no avail. Fortunately, I still have a small circle of friends from back then. Let’s change the way of recording my time in Lhasa and use some blurry photos to record some sporadic stories.
Nepal visa
In north-central Nepal, Annapurna is located in the middle of the Himalayas. The main peak is 8,091 meters above sea level. There are many world-class hiking routes there.
During my graduation season, I first learned about Annapurna from an article. When I saw the impressive introduction and photos of the Annapurna Base Camp trek, I made the decision to go there in just one night. Go to that Buddhist country, go to that place surrounded by 360° snow-capped mountains.
I cycled to the Nepalese Consulate. It was very easy to unload the luggage and ride. When I arrived at the consulate, there was already a queue. I filled out the visa application form and handed it in in the morning and it was processed in the afternoon. It was very efficient.
One person set out to ride the Yunnan-Tibet line, but after arriving in Lhasa, it was still unknown whether he could go hiking in Nepal together. If I can't find any company in Lhasa, I plan to go to Nepal first. I believe everything will be fine when I get to Pokhara.
Jokhang Temple
Jokhang Temple, the eye of Tibet.
When I came to Lhasa, the Jokhang Temple and Yamdrok Yumcuo were the places I most wanted to visit. It is said that Songtsen Gampo promised to build a temple to worship the twelve-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni brought by Princess Wencheng. The temple was built where Princess Wencheng's ring fell.
Sitting facing the Jokhang Temple, I looked at the Buddhist shrine built by the Tibetan old man with highland barley grains and the pious figures of the pilgrims who kowtowed.
The bluestone floor in front of the Jokhang Temple has become a pure land for many people to cultivate their minds. Thousands of different spiritual activities are buried here.
There is incense in front of the temple all day long, and the believers' devout worship has left deep imprints on the floor in front of the temple.
Sit quietly for an afternoon in front of the Jokhang Temple. Infinite courage, energy, faith and some weird ideas will continue to pour into your body and mind wonderfully.
I just sat quietly on this bluestone floor. Until sunset, I still had not entered the Jokhang Temple. This bluestone floor has been given a unique meaning by countless pilgrims.
Bajiao Street
The Bajiao Street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the Tibetan houses hidden in the alleys may be the soul of Lhasa.
Belief permeates the streets and alleys here. In the evening, along the prayer path, you will follow the old man wearing Tibetan clothes and holding a prayer wheel, and walk with the pilgrims who are prostrate and have long heads.
Follow the Tibetan pilgrims along Bajiao Street and receive very meaningful food and sweets.
Bajiao Street gives people a really wonderful feeling. With the intricate light and shadows, walking through it makes you feel as if you are also being drawn into that artistic conception.
Feel that pious and kind smile, respect and think about it.
yamdrok yongtso
Yamdrok Yongcuo is also called Yang Lake. A photo of Yanghu Lake on the Internet many years ago made me know that Tibet is a place I must visit in my life. On this day, I set off alone.
When I stood on the mountainside and saw her for the first time, I was fascinated by her. Every step I took was like stepping into a dreamlike world.
The snow water left by Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain and the naturally evaporated water reach a magical dynamic balance. When a ray of sunlight penetrates the clouds and shines on the calm lake, the clear lake water, the majestic snow-capped mountains, and the washing blue sky merge into one. One body appears before your eyes, intoxicating, shocking, and cleansing all your organs.
At different times and in different locations, Yanghu Lake presents different levels and reflects extremely rich colors.
Exactly what I expected, just as soft and beautiful.
Surround yourself with the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains.
Meet Gao Daxia again
On the day we crossed the Baima Snow Mountain, Gao Daxia lost contact with us. He did not leave any contact information for us. From the first day I met him, I knew that he was prepared for various situations, even if it was not sufficient, I had confidence in him.
I went to the Potala Palace alone that day. Before I even started to look up, I saw that familiar figure. I met Gao Daxia. He told me that the wind and snow were too heavy that day and he could not ride forward. He found an abandoned cattle shed by a herdsman on the mountain and spent the night there. Then we took a few bus rides intermittently to reach Lhasa.
I was so excited and comforted to see him arrive safely in Lhasa after missing contact for more than 20 days. But he was very excited after seeing me, just like meeting me for the first time. He talked endlessly and couldn't stop at all. No matter what, Peace is good enough.
Potala Palace
Because I met Gao Daxia again, the Potala Palace on this day gave me a different meaning.
The weather in the Potala Palace on this day switched between sunny and snowy days.
It was probably when I climbed here that I received a WeChat message from a riding friend in Nanning. He asked me to help him send postcards of the Potala Palace to several of his friends in his name.
While I was riding, he used photos from my circle of friends every day to create the illusion that he was riding the Yunnan-Tibet line, and in the end his friends wanted to receive postcards from him from Lhasa.
The Potala Palace, located on Maburi Mountain, is the highest-altitude majestic building in the world, integrating palaces, castles and temples. It is also the largest and most complete ancient palace and castle complex in Tibet. Step into this magical palace step by step and feel the rich cultural heritage.
Phuntsok Youth Hostel
On the first day of arriving in Lhasa, I lived in the story of time, where I had my companions who rode into Tibet and our revolutionary friendship. I came to Phuntsog after a while, because Kankan and an old classmate were taking the Qinghai-Tibet line to meet me in Lhasa that day.
"Precious historical photos of mankind's early conquest of the sun"
The first floor of Phuntsok was a little lively at night. Everyone was discussing the next trip, going with various companions, picking up people or begging to be picked up, and all the traveling friends who couldn't go to Ali Mountain were in a hurry.
And I seem to have a lot of time. I can live a lazy life every day without even thinking about what to do the next day.
Phuntsok is between the Jokhang Temple and the Potala Palace. It feels very good to ride back and forth and see the Potala Palace. You can sit on the rooftop of Pingcuo in the evening. The night view of the Potala Palace is great, but it’s just a bit cold.
Dinner
On the second day after arriving in Lhasa, after meeting up with Kankan and his old classmates, Longzhu asked everyone to have dinner together. That night was the most sumptuous meal he had eaten in more than 20 days of riding, with three large bowls of rice. After arriving in Lhasa, my diet started to become normal. However, I was suffering from a nasty toothache that I needed to take good care of when I returned home.
Longzhu was already an old Lhasa. He was deeply poisoned by Tibet and had already lived in Lhasa for a long time. I remember that when she first entered Tibet, she consulted me about some plateau equipment, and she suddenly became my senior. After dinner, Longzhu took us to Yutuo Road, where their friends were selling things.
Ukulele
That night on Yutuo Road, I basically stopped at a stall selling ukuleles. I sat on the ground, listened to the crisp sound, and looked at the various tourists on the street.
With the introduction of Longzhu, I got this handmade ukulele from Teacher Fang, and this ukulele has been accompanying me on my subsequent journeys and has been accompanying me to this day.
Uncle performing arts
Beside the intersection of Phuntsok, there was an uncle performing arts. He tied a dog to his lap, and the vicissitudes of life brought with it a sense of joy.
He sometimes played the guitar and sometimes the violin. Although some of the notes were not accurate, it was still touching. The busking uncle wishes you well.
sweet tea house
One day, I went out with Kankan and my old classmates. I don’t remember whether it was led by my old classmates or if I entered by mistake. This authentic sweet tea house surprised me so much.
I was shocked when I first entered. I didn't understand the language. I looked at the pile of change on the table and didn't know where to go. Like riding a city bus, eating at an authentic local restaurant is an in-depth experience.
Drink sweet tea, eat Tibetan noodles, and feel the life here.
Another day, we were on Bajiao Street and accidentally entered another sweet tea house. This accident left a warm page in my time in Lhasa.
The story is very simple. In our teahouse, we met some Tibetans who bought a pot of sweet tea and couldn't finish it. Then they came over and poured the sweet tea into our cups. The kind eyes and actions are extremely warm.
In the following years, when I was making hot pot countless times, I often thought that it would be a very warm thing if the next table could bring all the unfinished dishes to me.
Send Ah Qi back
I heard before that some riders sold their bikes directly after arriving in Lhasa. Or like A Bin, he used the car to pay for his accommodation.
I couldn't bear to part with it, so on this day I packed up Ah Qi and sent it back to Nanning. Ah Qi was the name I gave the car when I set out, so that I seemed to have a real companion along the way.
The story of time
On the day Kankan left for Everest Base Camp, I came to the Story of Time early to meet up with my fellow riders, and finally washed the jacket I had worn for a month.
In the evening, everyone cooked for themselves at Time Story. Brother Long’s cooking skills got 3,200 likes.
It was a very happy last night in Lhasa.
Go to Zhangmu Port
Brother Liu, Chuner and Abin, the four of us continued to Nepal. I vaguely remember that there were two other people in the car going to Zhangmu together that day. Right, there should be two more people.
It was the longest ride I had ever taken. The young Tibetan driver who didn’t slow down when turning, the unrestrained ethnic music in the car, the shaky mountain road, the starry sky in Shigatse when I stopped to urinate in the early morning, and the long-lost refreshing tonic sugar water, this was The fragments that remain in my mind now.
Watching "The Mountain" again on the road, regardless of the movie's evaluation, now it can help me recall this journey.
Not long after we came back, we attended the wedding of this old classmate.
Brother Long visited Guangxi two years ago and had a good gathering in Nanning.
I went to Dandong last year and met and reunited with Brother Liu and Chuner.
After watching "The Taste of Lao Guang", it's time to go to Chaozhou, and A Bin is there.
Later I went to Shanghai several times, but never to Kunshan.
Longzhu and I now live in the neighborhood next door, but we have never met each other again.
Kankan, now he is my second line.
Best wishes to other friends.
We'll see you later.