The Hong Kong Trampers - Hiking in Guangdong Province, China over Chinese New Year (6th to10th, February, 2008)

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Hiking in Guangdong Province, China over Chinese New Year (6th to10th, February, 2008)

Written by Francis,

山中無日曆，寒冬又一年。

舊年桂地客，新歲粵南人。

1. ....In keeping with Trampers' hiking spirits from the hiking trip in Guangxi Province, China over Christmas 2006, I am planning a hiking trip to Guangdong Province during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday. Anybody who wants to join me can email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call me on Tel. 6021-7013. Read more....

2. My intention is to leave Hong Kong in the evening on Wednesday, 6^th February 2008 (exit from Lo Wu Border Control Point at about 7.30pm. Lo Wu is the last train station on the Hong Kong side before crossing the border over to China), and take whatever transport is available on the Chinese side of the border to Hui Dong County in the southern part of the Guangdong Province.

3. We will stay overnight in a guesthouse/hotel in Hui Dong, and in the following morning take a local bus to a small, remote and sleepy Hakka town in the mountains. We would use the small town as our base from which we'll explore the nearby mountains in the next two days or so. The town is a quiet enough place to spend a short holiday away from bustling Hong Kong. We ‘ll return to Hong Kong in the late evening on Sunday, 10^th February 2008

4. The walks which we'll be doing are rated at either a two or three boot levels. Things of course can be flexible and we may just skip one of the hikes and do cycling instead (if we can find enough good bicycles in the small town).

5. I do not know how much this trip would cost, although I am quite sure that it will be less than $1,000HK. This will include everything but not the Chinese visa, if you need one to visit China. For those who need a visa to visit China, you need to arrange one yourself.

6. There is a guesthouse in the Hakka town (our base) in which there are toilet and hot shower facilities. Although it is a proper guesthouse, you cannot and should not expect too much western comfort.

7. If you are interested in joining me, you should let me know as soon as possible. If you need more information about this trip before you can make up your mind, please call me on the telephone number above.

8. Once things are firmed up, I'll issue joining instructions individually to participants (so leave me your email) closer to the date of departure, say 1^st February.

Disclaimer:- People join this trip at their own risks. I shall not be held responsible in any way for any injury or death incurred or any loss or damage to personal property caused due to whatever causes including, but not limited to, negligence, neglect, errors of judgement and inadequate orientation skills on my part. The fact that you show up at the appointed time and place on the day to join the trip is an implication that you have agreed to and accepted unconditionally this disclaimer. Francis.

Last update: 08-02-2008 13:50

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Posted by Malcolm Hawton, on 02-03-2008 18:28, , Registered

1. photos

There are some phots in photobucket...
http://s235.photobucket.com/ albums/ee47/hawton_photos/CNY% 202008/

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Posted by Cha, on 15-02-2008 20:09, , Registered

2. Walk Report

Foreword
1. The following Walk Report was written by Malcolm Hawton, who was kind enough to agree to write this report on my behalf.

2. Same as Malcolm, I will definitely return to Sin An for further exploration of the area, as the place is peaceful and beautiful, and offers great hiking opportunities.

3. A special word of Thanks must go to Malcolm who helped me in orientation in the mountains and in taking care of the girls.

Francis

The Report
1. On Wednesday 6th February a group of 5 Trampers, Elise, Wendy, Carrie and Andy, led by Francis met in Sheung Shui Train Station in Hong Kong to make the long trek to Huidong County - around 100 km East of Shenzhen, to Tramp some new turf. Once in China a minibus was awaiting to speed us down the expressway to Huidong town, where we met up with the sixth member of the group, Malcolm in the only 5 star hotel in the town. Any thoughts of a luxury stay were soon expelled as Francis led us across the road and down some dubious back streets to find an even more dubious looking staircase leading up to a 'guest house'. Despite appearances this turned out to have clean and comfortable accommodation, and if we thought it somewhat cold and noisy we did not know what was coming the next few nights. After a filling meal of hand stretched noodles at a local Muslim soup noodle establishment (where we were unable to convince them to cook a plate of vegetables, but which was conveniently sited opposite a KFC for the small luxuries (not vegetables)) we retired to bed to gather our strength for the oncoming Tramping.

2. On Thursday 7th we started the trip in style by returning to the Master Hotel and being the first for breakfast (5 minutes sir .. ). After a leisurely feast, a well-contented group headed out and were soon seated in a minibus on our way to Sin An village. The trip up county was uneventful, on very quiet roads as the locals stayed at home to welcome the first day of the Year of the Rat. Arriving at Sin An we found our accommodation - a converted government office block with plenty of space overlooking the (then) quiet village square.

3. The village has two roads - and a number of side alleys. a number of eating-houses are located up the main street along with around 10 shops, mostly general stores selling firecrackers, fireworks and a few other items. Locals are Hakka, and the village houses the primary and secondary schools for the area.

4. Unfortunately the eating establishments in the village seemed closed for the New Year, apart from one opposite our accommodation, where a table had been placed outside and the local children encouraged to gamble away their Hong Bao (red packet money) against the shake of three dice. After some negotiation they opened the kitchen and made lunch for us.

5. Well provisioned we sallied forth and tackled the nearest mountain - on the other side of the main road. After following the valley we ascended up the side on a good track until we reached a water-channel contouring along the side of the hill. Following this it led to a nearly empty reservoir. Francis walked the wall - to discover no signs of a path on the other side, so we retreated back to an earlier track we had seen heading up the hill and proceeded to ascend. Although the air was hazy we were rewarded with good panoramas of the surrounding mountains. The number of tracks and lack of a map led to judicious use of toilet paper to mark the way back at critical junctions and after ascending to a good height, but not quite achieving the next ridge ahead of us we beat a well timed retreat, taking an alternative route down to the water-channel. Following this downstream we came to a point where it disappeared down a pipe downhill and without further tracks we again retreated back to the track we had ascended. As dusk was rapidly descending we were grateful that we could follow this back to the village.

6. Unfortunately the gambling at the restaurant had by now moved indoors and taken a more serious tone, as the young men from the village were now the clients. The cook could not be distracted by such minor matters as cooking food, As we stood forlornly in the street talking to locals wandering around we were offered food at the house of one of the local girls in her last year at secondary school. We were very well entertained by her family - enjoying all the produce they farmed themselves, cook by Mum and imbibing the local spirit made in the village distillery poured by Dad.

7. On Friday 8th we rose early and were again treated to breakfast by the same family. Mum's noodles being a good platform to walk on we set off out of the bottom of the village along a new dirt road. This road divided and twisted around numerous small duck rearing reservoirs amongst quite barren hills. However as lunchtime approached we followed the sound of firecrackers and passing up a small valley entered a little village across vegetable fields and crossing a stream where a well placed flat stone served for washing clothes. We were immediately offered food at the first house in the village, and again enjoyed an excellent feast.

8. After eating we walked out of the other side of the village, and after some more reservoirs and valleys found our way into a wooded area where we struck a forest track which we followed until it emerged near another small village. This village was however deserted although clearly recently visited to set off firecrackers. We followed a larger road from her across the main road and into a small village, where Elise got involved in a game of Mah Jong while the rest drunk a cup of tea. Heading out of the village up the larger hill behind we were able to enjoy a panorama of the days walk and walking over a couple of ridges we descended close to Sin An and walked back into the village where the Restaurant cooked a Catfish for us. Overall a very enjoyable days walking through much varied terrain.

9. On Saturday 9th we rose again but were unwilling to disturb our hosts of the previous morning and instead bought some emergency provisions from the shop before heading out into the mountains with the promise of a Temple containing a Monk who would cook food when we got there. About an hour and a half later we reached a junction which promised a village if we turned off to the left or the temple straight on. Lured by the thoughts of another New Year feast we headed towards the village which turned out to be very elusive. We discovered a temple under construction, passed numerous deserted fields and ruined buildings, but met no-one and (more importantly) saw no food!. The tramping was however excellent - with lush vegetation, interesting hillside and rivers, and varied views of the surrounding hills. By around four in the afternoon we struck a larger path with a sign pointing on towards the temple. After walking towards the temple for another half hour we decided that it would be better to get lower down the mountain before the light failed and retreated back along the main path. Sin An was just visible in the distance and it took nearly three hours to reach it ---by then in the dark! Overall a strenuous days walk made the more challenging by a lack of calories!

10. On this evening while eating in the restaurant music started on the stage outside. After eating we were able to enjoy the New Years show with singing, dancing and magicians. This also prevented getting early to sleep as it was directly outside the 'quiet' accommodation block!

11. On Sunday 10th we took the strategic decision to return to Huidong town which we achieved by being given transport in a small freight van and returned to the main hotel to finish the tour in style with another well cooked repast before the trip was considered officially finished and the Trampers left to make their way home.

12. After this trip I am left remembering
- how lovely the countryside can be in Guangdong
- how tasty Chinese green tea can be - we were offered it regularly every day!
- how friendly the people are - who were always helpful!
- how noisy firecrackers sound - particularly when set off at 5:30 a.m. outside your window,
- how good a decent meal can taste when you have not eaten all day.

13. I will plan to go back to Sin An at some point - and manage to reach that Temple!

Malcolm.

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