FOOD&TRAVEL
near-perfect reflection in the crystalclear water. Minute fishing villages appeared to exist at the bottom of these densely forested green peaks, and we must have passed countless fishermen on their rickety bamboo rafts, clad in Asian conical hats. The cruise down this ribbon of water is made famous by the images naturally carved out into the rock. The Elephant Trunk Hill is the best-known, and while others are hard to make out, looking out for them is tradition here. Tradition was what made a later visit to the Yao minority village special – a people from the Guangxi Zhuang region, characterised by their vibrant red-hued clothes, and for women whose anklelength hair can only be cut once married. That particular morning I had hiked up to the Longji rice terraces, built in the Yuan Dynasty over 700 years ago, and over Zongzi – bamboo wrapped rice and bean paste dumplings – looking down from above where a cascading set of terraces formed a ‘dragon’s backbone’ from the ridge of many hills. I was told of the Yao’s daily life, superstitions and dedication to following their ancestors’ norms. Remarkably, and unlike the speed I witnessed in Shanghai, nothing of theirs has changed for centuries. China moves at such an alarming rate, that one can’t help but feel destined to miss out on its latest development.
We, in the financially-hit West, fear this: will we forever be behind? Only time will tell. But five days in China did at least teach me one thing: that no matter how it evolves, its inhabitants, a near 1.5 billion, are just as keen to hold on to what makes this old civilisation one of the most bewitching in the world today. Let’s hope they never let go.
A double room at Pudong Shangri-La starts from RMB 2,473 (approx. £243) per room per night A double room at ShangriLa Hotel, Guilin starts from RMB 1,106 (approx. £108) per room per night Prices are inclusive of breakfast, tax and service. To book visit www.shangri-la.com or call 0800 028 3337 99
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26/04/2013 19:35