Junko and I were picked up by our guide at 4:45 a.m. on our first morning in Yangshuo. We drove about 45 minutes to the base of Xianggong Mountain where we began our ascent up stone steps to the mountain top lookout point. While the steps were a challenge, they made the climb possible - I know I couldn't have climbed the mountain via simply a trail, given how steep it was!
And best of all, our guide made us tea and coffee when our shoot was over and had muffins for us (we had thought she carrying camera gear in her pack so it was a total surprise). I can't convey what it felt like to be above the world, drinking tea and looking over this scene!
Taken from the lookout point, stitched together in Photoshop and edited in LR.
PS...vocabulary word of the day: Karst = limestone formations that rise from the earth like those pictured in the photograph.
B&W more closeup version in extras album: http://365project.org/taffy/the-also-ran-ph/2016-11-05
See Junko's album for additional views (and I'm sure I'll post more -- it was magical to be there): http://365project.org/jyokota/365/2016-11-05
Breathtaking!! Thank you Taffy for sharing these stunning scenes which I know i will never see myself. Even if I got to China I would never be able to climb those steps!! LOL!! Fav!
Amazing shot.