Rural China hides treasures that go beyond the Great Wall and the temples of Beijing. For a traveler seeking a meeting between nature and authentic culture, the remote provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou offer an unparalleled experience: sandstone walls that turn red at sunset, ancient caves where the light filters in creating spectacular plays and communities that preserve traditions as old as the world.

Our journey was born from the pursuit of a vertical dream: the legendary walls of Liming, a rare gem for climbers and hikers hidden in Yunnan. Despite all it has to offer, the small town of Liming (黎明乡) does not receive much attention from hikers and trekkers, but that is precisely what attracts those who like to get off the beaten path and find experiences off the beaten track. But as often happens in the most authentic journeys, nature imposed its course, forcing us to reconsider our plans.

A monsoon disrupted our initial itinerary. After two days in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan, we realized that the rain would not give a break to our main goal. So we headed to Getu River National Park in Guizhou province, away from the wetland, a place made famous by Western climbers for its unique formations.

The surprisingly uncrowded park welcomed us with a gigantic, half-empty reception structure in a valley inhabited by a few dozen people. For visitors like us, finding our way around is a challenge: with the help of a translation app and lots of hand gestures, we found accommodation in an all-too-"typical" guest house in the local village.

For climbing enthusiasts, the park requires a signed waiver and a specific weekly ticket. The majestic Swallow Cave rises 200 meters above the river, offering a natural spectacle when thousands of swallows swarm in and out of their nests. The Chuangshang Cave, famous for its extremely difficult multi-pitch routes, offers the "divine light", a beam of light that passes through the cavity at dawn to dive into the waters of the river.

At the end of the monsoon, we finally reach Liming. This small village is nestled between deep sandstone canyons flanked by multicolored walls and spires that make the place an attraction for climbers from all over the world. The walls have the characteristics of the famous cracks of the American Indian Creek and Zion National Park, but in an environment characterized by lush forests and the quiet life of communities of farmers and hunters.

During the hikes, the Flyrock GTX shoes proved to be irreplaceable: versatile and comfortable both for long walks in the city and on the trails with heavy backpacks. On the more challenging routes, we opted for the Rock GTX. The exceptional grip of the Vibram compound on treacherous terrain and the double DFS lacing allowed us to confidently tackle both steep climbs and technical descents. We even used them to climb simple climbing routes, tightening only the second lace for greater precision.

The "Mountain of a Thousand Turtles", so called because of its shape that resembles tortoise shells, is the highlight of the hiking experience in Laojunshan Park. The trails wind through lush vegetation that has made Liming part of the UNESCO "Three Parallel Rivers" heritage.

The true richness of these places lies in their balance: red walls perfect for climbing immersed in lush forests, the authentic life of the local communities, and accessibility through well-maintained paths that allowed us to explore one of the most fascinating and still little-known corners of rural China.