Hehuanshan (or was it?) and Qingjing Farm

The plan for today was to drive right up into the mountains to Hehuanshan and do some hiking. This is the highest part of the island offering some terrific views. On a clear day. This didn't look like it was going to be a clear day. Nevertheless, looking down on the clouds with a misty mountain backdrop had a certain charm.

Unfortunately, as Thibault battled on valiantly up an incredibly winding mountain road (thank God none of us suffer from motion sickness), the mountains disappeared, as did pretty much everything else. And as well as fog it was raining hard.

 It was amusing to see other tour groups (as well as ourselves) stopping at "viewpoints" to take photos of no view at all.

At the visitor centre we got glimpses of what might have been, through the rain. But just too miserable to really try walking anywhere

The most promising walk was just up this peak, next to the visitor centre - essentially one short climb to the top.

 So Thibault went for it, just as the mist got a second wind and came in. Clarissa and I decided it wasn't worth the effort.

 We were quickly proved right. Here is Thibault in the enclosing mist, looking like a dementor from Harry Potter.

So we returned to base, and to the major local tourist attraction. Qingjing Farm. Now my guide book did stress the popularity of this place with Chinese, Taiwanese and Singaporean visitors. I think it was trying to give a hint that this wasn't for the likes of us, without being racist. Of interest to Orientals only. Although for us most of the fascination was in watching other visitors. Why?

Well this is a sheep farm, but not for the purpose of raising sheep for meat or wool, but for tourists to look at them.

So the entrance is through this fantasy alpine construction. It leads on to the fields where the local tourists come in their droves to feed the sheep (who of course are on grass fields and eat grass, so feeding is a touch on the superfluous side) and have selfies taken with them. They seem genuinely excited.

I suppose from the viewpoint of the urban Chinese this is a novelty whereas for us sheep are so ubiquitous that the idea of paying a substantial sum to enter for  few photos is an anathema. Of course when i say Chinese come in droves, not so much on a foggy midweek day, but that there were any people here at all was a surprise. Especially as half the trails (and the "sheep castle" advertised above) were closed.

 

Photo opportunity for those who love their sheep?

 And of course being unused to our furry friends, the site has lots of instructions on how to interact, or rather not interact. So no sheep chasing.

And no mounting the sheep.Go elsewhere if you actually want intercourse with sheep. This is a family farm...

The place should at least have offered views down the mountainside, but the mists put paid to that. however, I think below is a really rather charming romantic photo of my holiday companions.

 But the overall feel of the place is just one of tremendous kitsch. See below outside the gift shop. I rest my case.