Sunday, March 23rd, I took a train to the ancient Daoist mountain, Qingchengshan. Located just outside Chengdu, this mystical mountain is draped in mist and legend. Known as the birthplace of Daoism, it's home to ancient temples, lush forests, and peaceful hiking trails. Daoism (or Taoism) is an ancient Chinese philosophy and spiritual tradition centered around living in harmony with the Tao (道)—the natural flow of the universe. Rooted in simplicity, balance, and spontaneity, Daoism has influenced Chinese culture, medicine, martial arts, and even modern mindfulness practices. Some key concepts include the Tao (道), which represents the Way, the underlying force of the universe that moves through everything. It's nameless, formless, and beyond human comprehension, but its presence can be felt in nature and life's rhythms. Wu Wei (无为) is the art of effortless action, embracing the flow rather than forcing things, like a river shaping a mountain over time. Yin & Yang (阴阳) symbolize the balance of opposites—light and dark, strong and soft, action and stillness—everything exists in a state of dynamic harmony. Ziran (自然) emphasizes spontaneity and naturalness, encouraging people to live authentically and in tune with nature.
There are two sides to the ancient mountain: the front and the back. The front side is more touristy and has many monasteries, while the backside is known for its waterfalls and scenic hikes. I ended up hiking for about five hours, and I was so gassed. It was way more crowded than I expected—I had to push past oldies and kids. The scenery was nice but not mind-blowing. But after traveling so far, you have to accept that not every experience will blow your mind. At times, I felt like I was in Kung Fu Panda. I wanted to train kung fu with a Shaolin monk, but apparently, you need to commit for months. The hike was still a cool way to get out of the city. I made it to the top, but the view wasn't as nice as I had hoped—lots of construction.
After the hike, I went to the ancient city of Dujiangyan (都江堰). Dujiangyan is a 2,000-year-old irrigation system in Sichuan Province. Built during the Qin Dynasty (around 256 BCE), it remains one of the oldest and most sophisticated water management systems in the world—and it's still in use today. Unlike traditional dams, Dujiangyan doesn't block the river but instead diverts and distributes water naturally, preventing floods and providing irrigation. This ingenious design helped turn Sichuan into China's agricultural heartland, earning it the nickname "Land of Abundance" (天府之国).
I found an awesome and cheap place on Trip.com. The owner, whose English name was Spencer, was a sweetheart. He spoke some English and told me he liked the USA. Even though I was exhausted, I gathered enough energy to walk to a famous bridge and riverside. I wanted to fly my drone for the first time, but I decided against it—it was dark, windy, and over water. Flying a drone is actually not that straightforward, and it would've sucked to lose it on my first try. Instead, I drank tea at the hotel and went to bed. A much-needed private room rest.
