A trip to Sichuan Aba Tibetan Area

we were so clean on the 1st day

A ride in Sichuan: to the camp

1. From 35°C to 10°C in One Day

“In June 2024, we started our trip from Chengdu. It was 35°C in the city—very hot. My friend Roy was sweating and couldn’t understand why I told them to bring down jackets and heavy pants. He said, ‘I really hope these things are useful.’

One day later, he got his answer. When we reached the grasslands at 3,000 meters altitude, the temperature dropped to 10°C. He stopped complaining and put on every piece of clothing I recommended. In the mountains, you learn very fast: listen to your guide.”

2. Finding a Hidden Temple

“We don’t like to follow the main road all the time. We like to explore small trails. By accident, we found a very quiet temple where monks live and study. One monk was very friendly; he gave us Hada (white silk scarves) and showed us around. This kind of meeting is much better than any famous tourist spot.”

cooking coffee on roadside

3. 12 Kilometers of Mud

“To get to my friend Old Zhang’s camp in Zoige, we had to ride 12 kilometers on a small dirt road. It was already full of holes, and then it rained. The road became a nightmare. The rear wheels were sliding, and I felt I couldn’t control the front wheel. It took us almost an hour just to finish that 12km.

But it was worth it. The camp had no phone signal and only solar power. We lived with real Tibetan nomads.

Their life is simple: just two tents and a motorcycle. We played basketball with their kids and watched them bring the yaks home at sunset. It was a kind of peace you never find in the city.”

The Camp invested by Steve

Yak Steaks and Baby Eagles

“That night, the nomad Brother Ma cooked us yak steaks and beef buns. It was delicious. Under the roof of the dining room, we even found a nest with three baby eagles. They were small and fluffy, like little chickens.

Baby Eagle living under the rooft

The next morning, we woke up early to see the sunrise on the hill. Old Zhang was already there making coffee. We threw ‘Lungta’ (prayer papers) into the wind to pray for our families. It was a very special moment.”

5. Real Travel vs. Tourist Spots

“We visited Jiuzhaigou later, but there were too many people. The water is beautiful, but I’m not a fan of crowded places. So, we cancelled all the other famous scenic spots.

On the way back to Chengdu, the heat came back. It went from 5°C to 35°C. Ariel was so hot that he jumped into a river to wash. We stayed in small villages and played ping-pong together. This was the best part of the trip.

Later in Chengdu, we met Old Zhang again and said goodbye. After this trip, my friends kept talking about these stories. They encouraged me to start Ride In China to help more foreigners experience the real China. This is why I am writing this today. Hope to ride with you soon!”