Last week, my girlfriend and I went on yet another epic rock climbing trip.
Shigu, Yunnnan, China — Chinese name 云南省丽江市石鼓镇
For more information, checkout climbshigu.com. The hostel is owned by a British dude who has helped develop the area for climbing. Great food, as well. Delicious Yunnan coffee available every morning.
This is 100% without a doubt my favorite climbing spot in China.
The style is, like many climbing destinations in China, pocket-filled limestone with tons of tufas. The climbing here is actually pretty varied, though. You can find any kind of climbing style here: technical climbs, slabby rocks, huge vertical reachy routes, or for people like me — juggy overhang tufa stuff.
I don’t even know what to say, other than it’s incredibly beautiful there. I’m starting to question quality of life in Shanghai — people in Yunnan are living their best lives, with much healthier food, local coffee, and incredible climbing right outside their front door.
I plan to go back when I have another opportunity, I have some unfinished projects that I didn’t send.
Key visual: me on a route at diamond wall with a rainbow in the background
![end of storey](/_astro/logo-small.sd8LXI_3.webp)
![](/content/images/shigu/shigu.jpg)