Today is week 34, day 4 of my pregnancy.
I’m not a “tiger mom,” so I don’t want to go for sensational titles like “Crazy Tiger Moms.” That’s why I feel this title might be a bit more down-to-earth? Ha, those familiar with Xiaoying, come along as I take you through my journeys over these eight months.
Some say that after getting pregnant, you’re entering a kind of cage. Others say that many things can still go on as normal because it’s only after the baby is born that you really lose control, since everything then depends on the little one. So relatively speaking, pregnancy is actually quite comfortable. There are many opinions—from before pregnancy until now—and like all expectant moms, I’ve been listening, observing, and experiencing them. In short: everyone’s body is different, so pregnancy varies. Therefore, whether you can travel and how you do it really depends on you.
Among my close friends, some flew abroad while pregnant and gave birth to babies weighing over 8 pounds; some are quite homebound, constantly discovering new things in their own cities and finding simple joys; and then there are those like me—after finding out I was pregnant, I didn’t dare go anywhere for the first three months, at most just picking strawberries at a farm near my home. It wasn’t until the relatively stable second trimester that I dared to go out nearby with my husband, keeping the farthest destinations within a 1–2 hour drive. By the third trimester, especially starting in the seventh month, my belly swelled dramatically, and the baby pressing against my upper abdomen made walking very difficult. During this time, I just stayed put—going to work and coming home. On weekends, I’d stroll around with family, take walks, visit exhibitions, or explore nearby sights. That was about it.
Friends who care often wonder why I’m still working at eight months pregnant. Yes, I plan to keep working until the last two weeks as long as my body allows. Because in the final stretch, my body is relatively stable, and maternity leave is quite short (especially compared to how much I want to spend with the baby), so I figure I might as well delay resting as long as possible. The hard part is the daily commute back and forth—that’s something any mom-to-be, if physically able, needs to push through.
So much said—I’ve briefly reflected on my feelings about my body and travel. Lastly, I should mention that before I even knew I was pregnant, that month I went to Daocheng, Sichuan. A friend joked that maybe that little one was hiking up the mountain with me too. Looking back, the scenery there was so beautiful, and perhaps a life was just beginning to sprout inside me—it was all so magical. A good friend also said it proved that when I was climbing, the baby was holding onto me tightly, so strong. Thinking it over carefully, it’s a bit frightening to recall that I was hiking on the Sichuan-Tibet Plateau before pregnancy. Xiaoying isn’t a delicate person, but when it comes to the baby, I still get a bit nervous for myself. All in all, gratitude is what remains.
So if we start from the Daocheng trip, during my pregnancy I traveled to these places, both near and far:
Pre- and post-pregnancy trip to Daocheng
October 17, 2014 — Red Grassland, Sangdui Township, Daocheng County, Garzê Prefecture, Sichuan Province
It’s been over half a year since that trip, but every time I think back, my heart still races. It was my last long journey before becoming a mom—a feeling of freedom that was wonderful. People are always moved by the thought of losing a certain kind of space, and the future will be just as happy because of you, while the past was joyful because it was another version of my younger self.
Tens of thousands of acres of poplar forests, under the vast sky where the soft blue sunlight spills onto the earth and into each of our hearts, as if gilded with pulsating vitality, making every breath feel strong. I wonder if you in my belly could also feel that rush of emotion toward the earth.
Me in front of the poplar forest—maybe you were just sprouting in there. For the full blog post, please visit: “[Daocheng. Poplar Forest] Autumn, I Want to Chat with You”
The poplar forest was just a stop on our first day in Daocheng. The next day we arrived at Yading Scenic Area. This was our first entry, where we mainly explored Luorong Pasture. It’s a land of happiness that brought us immense satisfaction.
In a photo taken by @MissRein, I even tried to show off my long legs. Not sure if I’ll bounce back after giving birth though. For the full blog post, please check out: “[Yading Yading] Overwhelming Happiness—Moments of Daydreaming at Luorong Pasture”
On the third day, we entered Yading Scenic Area early again to catch a glimpse of Milk Lake. This was my first trek on the Sichuan-Tibet Plateau, spanning a total of 7 hours and 15 kilometers. Milk Lake sits at an altitude of 4,500 meters, nestled in the valley of Mount Yangmai Yong. It earned its name from the milky white ring surrounding its azure glacial waters, and it’s considered the foremost of Yading’s three sacred lakes. This hike was the most memorable part of the trip—and now, thinking back, it may have had a big impact had the sprout already been growing inside me.
The sky is vast because of the blue, and the mountains are sacred because of faith. From golden autumn to bitter winter, it’s merely a momentary glance from heaven and earth. Our meeting and knowing each other—what a bond forged through thousands of years.
For the full blog post, please visit: Hiking at Over 4,000 Meters to Embrace Ice-Blue Milk Lake
Also unforgettable from this trip was the horseman (or guide, as I think the latter term fits better) on the route from Luorong Pasture to Milk Lake. Covering the 15-kilometer round trip in 7 hours, riding a horse cost 300 yuan for a horse and guide. On the rugged path, weaker hikers rode while the guides led the horses, walking and chatting—offering immense reassurance to visitors. Often, you’d also see guides carrying not only the horses’ gear but also tourists’ cameras, backpacks, and more. Truly impressive stamina, and a real appreciation for the hard work behind that pay. Details in the blog post: “Plateau Guides – Horsemen Above 4,000 Meters”
On the flight back from Daocheng to Chengdu, I met a very sweet mother and son. She encouraged me to travel more while I’m young. At the time, I was full of plans to see more places before having a child. Little did I know that upon returning, my feelings would begin to shift—because I’d soon be exploring the world with my baby. Of course, I’ll still have solo trips, outings with girlfriends, and family travels—but the time spent with my baby will forever be interwoven into my life. It’s irreplaceable. “Daocheng—Chengdu: Flight Stories”
Early pregnancy strawberry picking near home—sort of a weekend trip
In early November 2014, after confirming our pregnancy at the hospital, we became extra cautious. Feeling a bit unwell and unsure if everything would go smoothly, I barely went anywhere, mostly lying around, afraid of any mishaps. I used to think pregnancy would mean sharing time with family and friends, but I learned that you should wait until after the unstable first trimester before “announcing” it. My impulsive nature made it the first time I managed to hold back.
December 14, 2014. On the weekend, my husband, worried I’d get bored, took me out for a walk nearby. Luckily, strawberry picking farms in Guangzhou were in season, so with a 50 RMB note, we crossed the street for a mini-trip right at our doorstep. Travel is important, but so is stabilizing your mood.
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