Walking is a profound skill — challenge yourself on highland treks

　　Hikers are also known as "backpackers," or more colloquially as "traveling buddies," generally referring to those who wander around in groups or solo. Their aim is to connect with nature and reflect on the relationship between humans and the environment through group or solo travel, while also challenging their own limits.

　　In recent years, more and more young people have taken a liking to hiking. Aside from being more cost-effective than road trips or cycling tours, hiking also builds endurance and perseverance, while offering more stunning scenery and deeper insights.

　　Hiking through refers to an outdoor activity where the main method of covering the distance from start to finish within a hiking area is on foot, possibly crossing various terrains such as mountains, jungles, deserts, snowfields, streams, and canyons. It demands a high level of comprehensive field skills, combining mountaineering, rock climbing, rafting, stream tracing, and wilderness survival. Participants must have good physical fitness, stable psychological resilience, and moral standards, as well as a team spirit that is willing to help others. For a successful trek, one must carefully plan the route in advance, understand the area to be hiked — including weather, terrain, difficulty, risk factors, required gear, food, medicine, and more.

　　Hiking through is characterized by its exploratory nature, educational value, and unpredictability. Hikers must master relevant wilderness survival knowledge and skills to deal with ever-changing field conditions.

　　Yang Guang and his girlfriend are from Shihezi, Xinjiang. When we first met them, they were hiking along the Dazi County section of National Highway 318. His girlfriend seemed to have better stamina than him and was always walking ahead. “We’ve been in Lhasa for over 10 days and plan to reach Nyingchi in three days,” said Yang Guang, hoping to hitch a ride along the way; otherwise, they might delay their schedule. Having been into outdoor activities for two years, they can hike 40–50 kilometers a day. An important goal of this trek is to see the peach blossoms in Nyingchi.

　　In Tibet, circumambulating sacred mountains holds profound meaning for pilgrims, and can even be considered an essential part of their spiritual practice. For hikers, the kora around Mount Kailash also holds endless charm. “Even if the sacred mountain doesn’t possess the divine power to absolve sins, it at least grants those who circle it enduring patience and great fortitude,” reflected Ms. Wang after circumambulating Mount Kailash last November. On this endless journey of life, she pledged to walk forward with a heart full of happiness, reaching the heavenly destination.

　　“Hiking gives me the freedom of body and mind, as well as the joy and touching moments of mutual help among strangers.” Huang Lifang once trekked into Motuo, and her current goal in Tibet is to summit Mount Everest.

　　Speaking of hiking stories, what Huang Lifang remembers most is the time she went to Motuo with companions. Along the way, blood-sucking leeches were almost everywhere. Although she had prepared thoroughly before the hike — for example, wearing soccer socks to tightly wrap her legs — the leeches still crawled all over her during the trek. “At first I was very scared, but later I got used to it. During breaks, we helped each other pick off the leeches,” Huang Lifang said with a smile.

　　In Tibet, it’s common to see groups of “backpackers.” Windbreakers, hiking boots, backpacks, and trekking poles are their typical gear, and of course, sunglasses and headscarves are also essential “tools” for sun protection on the plateau. You might think these items are enough, but in fact, there’s a lot more to it.

　　One or two backpacks with good load-bearing capacity are essential. For long-distance trips, they should generally be around 50 liters. “I recommend having two; one is not enough,” said Huang Lifang, a freelancer from Beijing who has loved hiking since 2006 and has been coming to Tibet every year for seven consecutive years. Dressed in full outdoor gear, Huang emphasized that preparation must be thorough for any unforeseen circumstances. While hiking in Motuo, she even brought feminine sanitary pads to absorb moisture — placing them in shoes wet from rain made them dry and comfortable the next day. As for hiking boots, never wear new ones for hiking, as they can cause blisters and become a “stumbling block” on the trail.

　　All-cotton underwear is a big no-no for hiking because although it absorbs sweat well, it doesn’t dry easily. On the plateau, where day and night temperatures vary greatly, this moisture retention can lead to feeling cold when temperatures drop, and may even result in serious consequences — in international mountaineering circles, it's even called “the clothing that can kill you.” Therefore, it’s essential to choose moisture-wicking base layers. Outerwear should offer excellent windproof and waterproof performance, which is crucial in the plateau’s unpredictable weather.

　　Once everything is ready, all you need to do is take that step and head toward your “sacred destination.” But even walking is a nuanced skill. Just like long-distance running, rushing out at full speed from the start isn’t wise. Similarly, holding your breath and brisk walking can easily overwhelm your heart and lungs — this is especially true on plateau hikes.

　　Therefore, your walking posture matters. When starting out, slow your pace to let your body warm up. Use arm swings to maintain balance, keep your back straight, land on the whole foot, adjust your steps, and try to maintain a consistent speed. When ascending with a heavy load, slow down your footsteps.

　　“First-time hikers must pay attention to resting — usually take a 10-minute break every two or three hours,” said Tsering Sangzhu, vice principal of the Lhasa Mountaineering School. In addition to planning a reasonable daily walking schedule, it’s also important to replenish energy and hydration in a timely manner.

　　Generally speaking, hiking doesn’t mean walking the entire way, especially on long treks. Unless the hiker deliberately aims for perfection and insists on walking the whole distance, hitching a ride is often essential. On the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, it’s quite common to hitchhike by extending a thumb — an internationally recognized gesture. Another tip is to go with the flow — whether it’s a cow cart, tractor, or truck, getting a ride is a ride. Of course, whether you can successfully get a ride depends on luck.

　　During a hiking trip, you won’t always reach your intended destination every day. The changeable weather on the plateau can disrupt your plans, and that’s when finding lodging comes into play. Most locals in Tibet are very kind, just like the Tibetan hostess in the movie “KORA,” and will usually offer “traveling buddies” a place to stay overnight, helping you avoid setting up camp in the wild.

　　“This is my seventh time in Tibet, and I’ve never been refused by locals when asking to stay overnight,” said Huang Lifang. Most of the time, staying with Tibetan families is free, or the hosts may ask for whatever you’re willing to give — usually between 50 and 100 yuan.

　　Tibet also has youth hostels scattered across the region, large and small. The Pingcuo Kangsang Youth Hostel in Lhasa is a well-known one, often frequented by “traveling buddies” from all over. Bed prices range from 20 to 100 yuan depending on the peak or off-season. Beyond accommodation, the hostel also provides a wealth of travel information — seeking travel partners, carpooling trips, making it a veritable hub for information exchange. In addition, many Tibetans run family guesthouses, so finding a place to stay in even a small town is quite convenient.

　　Of course, compared to lodging, more hikers carry their own tents. Hence, a tent with a waterproof rating of over 1500mm, along with a sleeping bag and moisture-proof sack, becomes very important. “When organizing activities, we usually choose to stay in tents. It doesn’t trouble others and allows for a better wilderness survival experience,” said Tsering Sangzhu. He added that when camping in the wild, knives, compasses, and especially lighting are very important. For those without wilderness experience, losing light can be very dangerous.

　　Mount Kailash in Ngari Prefecture is a world-renowned sacred mountain, considered the center of the world by Hinduism, Jainism, Bon religion, and Tibetan Buddhism alike.

　　It is said that circumambulating Mount Kailash once can wash away all sins committed in a lifetime. Circumambulating it ten times spares one from suffering in hell for 500 reincarnations; a hundred times can lead to enlightenment and ascension in this very life; and circumambulating it once during the Horse Year—the year of Buddha’s birth—multiplies the merit by twelve, equivalent to thirteen ordinary rounds.

　　Circumambulating Mount Kailash holds not only deep religious significance but is also a beloved trekking route among hiking enthusiasts worldwide. Every year, pilgrims from India, Nepal, Bhutan, and other countries travel great distances to complete the kora, joined by numerous trekkers.

　　The kora consists of an outer and an inner circuit, with the commonly referred to trek being the outer kora—a large loop around Mount Kailash centered on the Gangdise Mountains. The outer kora spans 56.5 kilometers, taking hikers 2 to 3 days to complete on foot, while prostrating pilgrims may take 15 to 20 days. The inner kora is a smaller loop around Mount Yenka, located south of the Gangdise Mountains, and is generally undertaken after completing the outer kora.

　　Located in Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet, Medog remains without road access to this day, naturally making it one of the most challenging trekking destinations for adventurers.

　　The best season for trekking to Medog is from August to October. By then, the rainy season in Tibet is coming to an end, landslides and mudflows become less frequent, and trekkers flock to Pai Town by the Yarlung Tsangpo River. From there, the journey through Lhagba, Khami, and Pemako to the “Sacred Lotus Land” typically takes about 15 days.

　　When trekking in Medog, it is essential to hire a local “porter-guide” to avoid getting lost and risking danger.

　　The short trekking route from Ganden Monastery in Lhasa to Samye Monastery in Shannan Prefecture usually takes 4 to 5 days, making it a great warm-up hike for those new to trekking in Tibet.

　　Ganden Monastery is the first monastery of the Gelug school, while Samye Monastery is Tibet’s first monastery. The route passes through the picturesque Jia Ma Valley, offering a classic journey into Tibetan culture.

　　Hiking is a full-body workout that benefits various parts of the body. Jin Qiao, director of the Beijing Daily Hiking Sports Center, outlines the comprehensive effects of hiking.

　　1. Brain: Stimulates the release of endorphins, boosting mood and promoting happiness.

　　2. Lungs: Increases maximum ventilation capacity, strengthens diaphragm muscles, alleviates symptoms of chronic emphysema and bronchitis, and reduces cravings for smoking.

　　3. Back: Unlike running, which puts stress on the spine due to jarring impacts, walking exerts similar pressure on the spinal discs as standing does, reducing injury risk. It also strengthens back muscles to support the spine.

　　4. Bones: Bones need exercise too. Hiking acts as weight training for bones, helping the body absorb more calcium and combat osteoporosis.

　　5. Stress Relief: Bright sunshine helps lift mental fog, and walking amidst green mountains and clear waters relaxes both body and mind.

　　6. Body Shaping: Walking engages all major muscle groups and tendons, helping tone the abdomen, shape the calves, and strengthen the glutes.

　　7. Weight Loss: An effective way to burn excess fat and also helps regulate eating habits.

　　Additionally, hiking promotes cardiovascular vitality, enhances respiratory muscle function, lowers blood cholesterol levels, and helps prevent hypertension.