Traveling through the serene landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, the valleys of Kashmir, and the lush, green pockets of South India, I slowly discovered something about myself. I feel most alive when I’m surrounded by nature. Mountains, fresh air, silence, and raw landscapes became more than just a preference; they became something my heart deeply craved.
So whenever conversations about international travel came up between me and my partner, I always imagined destinations rich in natural beauty. China, honestly, was never on that list. In my mind, China was all about towering skyscrapers, hyper-advanced technology, and fast-paced city life, a place that felt distant from the kind of nature I loved. Little did I know how wrong I was.
Everything changed in September 2025, when my husband told me about his upcoming business trip to China. He casually asked if I wanted to join him and maybe even extend the trip on my own, since he would be returning to India after 10 days.
My first instinct was to say no. It just didn’t excite me. But something made me pause and eventually say yes.
We began the visa process, and that’s where things got a little uncertain. My visa application was rejected the first time, no explanation, no clear reason (which, as I later learned, is quite common). It was disappointing, but we decided to try again. This time, we reapplied with all the required documentation, including an official invitation from the exhibition my husband was attending.
And then, finally it got approved. That’s when the real journey began.
What I didn’t expect was that this trip would completely shift my perspective. Spending time in China, I discovered a side of the country I had never imagined. One filled with breathtaking mountains, serene lakes, vast national parks, and untouched natural beauty. A raw, quieter, and deeply immersive side of China that exists beyond its modern cities.
It wasn’t just a trip anymore. It became an experience that challenged my assumptions and showed me a version of China that truly stayed with me.
