A Xia Secluded Valley

Beyond the southwest corner of Lugu Lake, a clear spring traverses the middle of Sanjia village and flows into the lake along the rim of a meadow. Setting out from a small bridge over the clear spring, we step into a deep, secluded valley.

Towering chestnut trees and dense ivy vines cover the 1.5 meter long valley near Lijiang in Yunnan province. Streams babble among stone gaps. The valley is carpeted with thick moss, soft grasses and quilts of fragrant wildflowers. Little birds sing in the woods, and squirrels play on tree branches. Standing here feels like being on top of the world.