A Trip to the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan

Setting Out from a Marathon

I’ve just finished the 2024 Bengbu Marathon. For the first time, I broke the 1:50 barrier, ultimately finishing the half marathon in 1:46:15.

Time and again, I broke historical records and set personal bests at A1 events.

Believe in yourself—no effort is ever wasted. There’s no road longer than the one under your feet; run with confidence and joy for what you love.

Afterward, as planned, our family set off on our journey to the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan. This trip lasted a little over two weeks, and we began by wandering through the ancient and charming city of Langzhong.

Continuing along the winding road known as the “318 Mini Loop,” we officially entered the heart of Sichuan.

Crossing the Luding Bridge

“The waters of the Jinsha beat against the warm cloud-kissed shore; the iron chains of the Dadu Bridge stretch cold across the river”—we stepped onto the Luding Bridge, a landmark straight out of our elementary school textbooks.

Stepping onto the swaying Luding Bridge, with the raging Dadu River rushing beneath my feet, every step forward filled me with trepidation and fear. It’s hard to imagine that in 1935, the Red Army soldiers—with planks missing from the bridge deck and and under a fierce enemy fire blockade, seized the Luding Bridge with iron-like tenacity and fearless courage, carving out a bloody path to revolutionary victory with their blood and conviction.

Returning to the Plateau

Returning to the high-altitude region of Western Sichuan, my body had already adapted comfortably to elevations above 4,600 meters. Thanks to a year of consistent, daily long-distance running, my cardiovascular endurance and physical fitness had improved dramatically—a far cry from the struggle I faced when I first arrived in the highlands last year. Back then, I was plagued by low blood oxygen levels and a persistently high heart rate throughout the hike, making every step a struggle. Now, even after straining to climb a steep slope, the blood oxygen level on my Apple Watch remains steady at 94%. This physical transformation is the result of perseverance and self-discipline.

Traveling along Route 318 to Xiaojin County

In the past, whenever I tasted apples from Xiaojin County, it was always through an online purchase—viewing them on a screen—and I always felt it lacked the authentic flavor of being there in person. But this time, as I set out on this journey, I had already set my primary goal early on: to make a special trip to the source to select fresh, authentic local apples, fulfilling this long-cherished wish; At the same time, I was able to complete the self-drive tour along the Sichuan-Tibet National Highway 318 loop—a trip I’d longed to take—all in one go. Killing two birds with one stone, this journey offered both the anticipation of culinary delights and the joy of venturing into the unknown.

Encountering Giant Pandas in Wolong

Passing through the Shenshuping Base of the Sichuan Wolong China Giant Panda Reserve, we paused here—it was the warmest and most precious encounter of our journey through western Sichuan.