Guilin Drone Footage

Описание: I was in Guilin city proper on May 20, 2024 for one night after two-ish weeks of exploring surrounding rural towns. After a long travel day, I didn't really have any plans for the evening, but the man working at my hostel insisted that I check out this park in town for some cool views. Expecting a chill stroll, I show up at the park, latte in hand, and start walking on the path.

Very quickly, the walk becomes a climb, and the climb becomes very steep. I have to chug my latte and put the cup in my backpack because this is a two hand trek. It gets so vertical at points that it feels like rock climbing. I stop at one point to rest, and while I'm stopped, a man approaches and we start chatting. My Chinese is very weak, so we pass my phone back and forth, speaking into my translation app. His name was Xiaofei, he was there with his wife and their tiny dog. He works in IT and was in Guilin on business, and he and his wife love hiking whenever they travel. Very kind people. We all end up finishing the ascent together, their tiny dog climbing with a level of skill that puts us humans to shame.

Once we reach the top, I am gobsmacked by the view. I was told the view would be pretty, but this is truly insane. My new friends and I sit there in silence for who knows how long just taking it in. Xiaofei then whips out a drone and asks if he can take a video of me. He sent me all the footage he took, and that is what this video consists of.

We stay up there until after dark, and then climb back down with our phone flashlights lighting the way. Xiaofei and his wife invite me to dinner with their friend, where they order me a ton of local cuisine, pay for my meal, and then drive me back to my hostel.

I think about this evening daily. Truly one of the greatest nights of my life. I am so grateful that my hostel owner insisted I check this place out, that I met Xiaofei, and for the overall hospitality I experienced from the Chinese people. I will cherish my time there and this video footage forever.