Not Switzerland, This is Summer in Genie (格聂)
If you find Xinjiang too far away and Switzerland too expensive, you should really try visiting Genie once. A place where simply standing still can calm your soul.
Summer here is not bustling. Snow-capped peaks still lie there, quietly nestled among the clouds. Pine forests stretch on and on, with no end in sight. Small wooden houses huddle beside the grasslands, wildflowers bloom abundantly without anyone's care. Sometimes while walking, you feel mineral spring mist rising in the crisp cold of the plateau—a sensation difficult to describe—both real and dreamlike.
Between two large mountains sits an ancient temple, solemn and peaceful. No need for explanations or lengthy descriptions; naturally you find yourself wanting to slow down, speak less, and observe more.
Genie's beauty is not the "wow" kind that hits you at first glance. Rather, the deeper you go and the longer you stay, the more layers of the mountain's story reveal themselves.
The South Genie Route (格聂南线)
From Lý Đường to Ba Đường, the distance is approximately 230km. People often call this the "miniature plateau landscape corridor," and once you travel it, you'll find this description is quite fitting.
Along one stretch of road, you'll encounter everything: snow-capped mountains, crystal blue lakes, ancient forests, expansive grasslands, wildflowers along the roadside, mineral springs, temples, and peaceful Tibetan villages. The mountains are very close, so near that it feels you could touch them by reaching out your hand.
If you love pristine places, uncrowded spots, and areas not overly commercialized by tourism—then Genie is truly worth visiting, at least once in your lifetime.
Credit: Nguyễn Quỳnh Trang
