This essay was originally two threads posted to Twitter in October 2024, featuring my conversations with Boss Liu about Sichuan Tibetan food and culture, and a tour of his beautiful home.
I always enjoy your travelogues, but this one was particularly fun! We're heading over to Tibet to visit, would you mind sharing the guesthouse contact? Thank you!
Best travel journalism around David and an object lesson that you always get more out of a country/culture if you speak the language. Have a great new year.
What a delightful refresh of memory :) Did you actually go to Tibet or just Jiu Zai Gou?
I went to Tibet by land (HK > Xian > Lhasa > Napal / Himalaya basecamp > Chengdu / Jiu Zai Gou) more than 10 years ago with college friends. I wonder how touristic JZG has become. I remembered Lhasa was vastly different than any other places in China that I have visited.
Do want to comment on Boss Liu's seemingly being able to hold "two different world views harmoniously". Although I believe he was genuinely content and believe in what he preaches, I must say, it is not representative of majority of the Tibetans, especially Tibetans living in Tibet.
For one, his 'background' (or 'Guan Xi') makes all the differences as you may already know, Tibetan or not. The CCP also aggressively pushed for "assimilation", establishing school and Mandarin-based education on Tibetan children for years. Not sure how old is Boss Liu; he might be in the batches that were 'assimilated'.
While the Chinese do bring infrastructure, i.e. high way, railroad, as well as tourism, 90%+ of the local business in Lhasa were run by Han (Chinese) people; local Tibetans were either nonchalant or slightly negative towards Han Chinese, per my memory.
But then again, I haven't step in west side of China for ages. My information might need to refresh :)
I always enjoy your travelogues, but this one was particularly fun! We're heading over to Tibet to visit, would you mind sharing the guesthouse contact? Thank you!
It’s called 山居SnowPeak 雪山人家 - here’s the link https://hk.trip.com/hotels/jiuzhaigou-hotel-detail-80892457/jiuzhaigou-snow-mountain-homestay/
Thank you so much! I'll make sure he knows you recommended him!
I doubt if he'd remember me haha. He sees hundreds of guests per year and this was over a year ago! But worth a try.
Extraordinary photos!
amazing story! thanks for sharing.
Amazing! What is the name of the guesthouse? Can I book online?
Yep - it’s this one. It’s called 山居SnowPeak 雪山人家 - here’s the link https://hk.trip.com/hotels/jiuzhaigou-hotel-detail-80892457/jiuzhaigou-snow-mountain-homestay/
Best travel journalism around David and an object lesson that you always get more out of a country/culture if you speak the language. Have a great new year.
Man, what a home! So fortunate to get a glimpse of it. Great pictures.
What a delightful refresh of memory :) Did you actually go to Tibet or just Jiu Zai Gou?
I went to Tibet by land (HK > Xian > Lhasa > Napal / Himalaya basecamp > Chengdu / Jiu Zai Gou) more than 10 years ago with college friends. I wonder how touristic JZG has become. I remembered Lhasa was vastly different than any other places in China that I have visited.
Do want to comment on Boss Liu's seemingly being able to hold "two different world views harmoniously". Although I believe he was genuinely content and believe in what he preaches, I must say, it is not representative of majority of the Tibetans, especially Tibetans living in Tibet.
For one, his 'background' (or 'Guan Xi') makes all the differences as you may already know, Tibetan or not. The CCP also aggressively pushed for "assimilation", establishing school and Mandarin-based education on Tibetan children for years. Not sure how old is Boss Liu; he might be in the batches that were 'assimilated'.
While the Chinese do bring infrastructure, i.e. high way, railroad, as well as tourism, 90%+ of the local business in Lhasa were run by Han (Chinese) people; local Tibetans were either nonchalant or slightly negative towards Han Chinese, per my memory.
But then again, I haven't step in west side of China for ages. My information might need to refresh :)
This made me smile ear to ear, especially the part about Boss Liu's wife's succulents. What a character!