I slept like a log last night, the mountain certainly took its toll. My feet are fine, however every other muscle in both legs are complaining to some degree. Walking to the loo this morning I must have looked quite the sight.

After a lazy breakfast I went out for a stroll to explore a little and to buy breakfast for tomorrow. The hotel is quite far up the hill and I found that walking down the slight slope was a bit uncomfortable.

There is a river running parallel to the road and so I went on the hunt for the path beside. There’s a small community nearby which I head for. This is an actual village where people live and not one of those manufactured towns. Tourism is changing this area and maybe it’s for the better, mind you the older folk and those that are just getting by are still going to be the same. There lives are tough at the moment and they might end up being pushed out as there is more demand for hotels.

I found the path eventually and had to access it by going down a flight of stairs, now that was painful and awkward. Stretching my calves on the way down and my quads on the way up was torturous.

The river was low with no sign of aquatic life, mind you the bird life was plentiful. All manor of things, but I managed to snap a picture of this  Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyanus) that I’ve seen since getting to Yichang. They seem to be very common and they have an awkward flying motion.

Instead of going straight to the supermarket I opted for a detour through a few back streets to see what was happening. I always find it interesting when you leave the main drag and I’ve also noticed that in Huashan no one gives me a second look. In many places I get looked at with either curiosity or suspicion, but her I don’t exist and I like it.

I stopped for lunch, I got two Chinese hamburgers 肉夹馍 (Ròujiāmó)

Absolutely delicious and it gave me the energy to walk back to the hotel, although at a very slow pace. Walking uphill is slightly better than going down, but every step was a challenge.

I rested for most of the afternoon and even had forty winks and my goodness when I tried to get up my legs had seized up. I hope in the morning things will be better because I’m catching the train to my next stop and the lovely host of the hotel has offered to drop me at the station. She has been so helpful with me, helping me to organise the tickets for the mountain and also the bus tickets for transfers to and from the cable cars.

Jian Shan Xi Mei Su (Huashan Tourist Center Store) Huashan.

It’s not expensive to stay here. The on site restaurant is great and the menu vast. The room I have in warm and comfortable, has a good shower and it’s perfect for a few days. So when you come here to walk the mountain, stay here 🤗