Yesterday I wrote "changing climate within a day in a plateau like Yunnan makes satisfactory sightseeings a serenpidity to tourists"; indeed, the inclemency at 玉龍雪山 once more disappointed us.  After a 20-minute riding on the cable car, with high expectation in the gondola, finally we reached to an observatory, the best spot to view the mountain.  But we couldnt see the awe and wonder of the mountain(see attached photo) because the scenery in front of us was deeply shrouded in mist, absolutely nothing we could see but thick mist.  What a great regret it was!   FYI, although 玉龍雪山 is much less in altitude than Mount Qomolangma which have been many human beings ever on its top, still, our tour guide told us, never has anyone ever "conquered" this mystic snow mountain!

Somewhat we were compensated by watching another awe and wonder: Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is tucked away somewhere in Lijiang by the mainstream of Jinsha River(金沙江).  The deafening rapids are rushing through the narrow gorge where there is a huge rock in the middle of the stream, that is the legendary stepping-stone for a tiger to jump from one side to the other.  But the tourists of my age must have a pair of strong legs to get down from parking lot to the bottom of the gorge and then go back to the origin through more than 500 steps.  Otherwise, you have to hire a sedan chair to help you finish the trip.