When my heart hit the magic land of Tibet, I began to believe wherever we are, there is a force in our heart which can be awakened, a force always moving upward, getting over hardships and frustration in the world and leading us to happiness and freedom.

Tibet is a holy and pure dreamland. Drifting sutra streamers, silent Marnyi Stones, gold-capped temples, vast pastures. The picturesque landscape has attracted numerous people to visit repeatedly. Self-driving is the best way to savor the beautiful sights on the way. When the invitation of Zhengzhou Nissan Self-driving tour came to me, I knew a special journey along the Skyway would start finally.

Among four roads leading to Tibet, I choose Dian-zang road which is not the roughest nor the most charming route, but the easiest and most pleasant choice. With an average altitude of above 3500 meters, the route, zigzagging upward for 2000li from Lijiang to Lahsa, can bring you through four seasons within a day.

With a carefree mind, we traversed across Yunnan along No.318 national highway and drove into Tibet. There, mountains were emerald and serene; waters were clean and limpid. Gentle breeze sent light flower fragrance, and white Buddhist pagodas stood on the side of roads, narrating the solemn stories in the ancient time. There were ranges upon ranges of mountains, open and wide pastures amid mountains, streams winding through, and cattle lingering on the grassland. I had been fascinated by uniqueness and charm of the Mount Huang and enchanted by serenity and myth of Jiuzhaigou, but when I came to Tibet, I was totally intoxicated by its expanse, openness and tranquility.

From Shangri-la to Deqin and then to Zuogong and Ranwu, we viewed the real sight of No.318 national highway, experienced altitude sickness and understood the hardships of pilgrims. What tortured us were not bumpy and muddy roads nor potential collapse in rainy season but the unawareness of how many mountains one needs to conquer before reaching the holy destination. However, all the confusion disappeared when we set foot on that land called Yamtso.

Holy Lake Cleansing Dust and Dirt

Lake Yamdrok (Yang Zhuo Yong Cuo in Mandarin) is one of three holy lakes in Tibet. “Yang” means “upper”; “Zhuo” means “Pasture”; “Yong” means “Emerald Jade”, and “Cuo” means “lake”. If put together, the name means an emerald lake with pastures on its upper stream. The interpretation offered by some Tibetan friends was “a turquoise eardrop scatter by Goddess”.

On the day when we arrived, I stood on the Ganbala Mountain pass over 4300 meters high. Seeing Yamdrok, I could not help shedding tears, bending down, kissing her and caressing her. Her ancient, pure and everlasting outlook made my broken-hearted. Looking surprising, arresting and charming, she should be admired, respected and worshipped. The lake left us the scenery stretching for 30 kilometers; the rising and falling No.307 provincial highway presented us different perspectives to enjoy the beauty of the lake. The clear and clean sky overhead was in great harmony with the tranquil and deep lake. With surrounding mountains up and down, white clouds of different shapes and travelers inside, the whole area was like a painting. I feasted my eyes with the vast expanse of sky and land, tides of lake and ever-changing weather. The moment of sudden stillness reduced me to fits of dizziness.

At the moment of setting foot on the Tibetan Area, I kept asking myself what my faith was. Every one of us has trudged all through the life from the starting point. In our journey, we can not help feeling anxious about gains and losses; our package becomes heavier with each passing day so we gradually lose our orientation. In the long journey, years are like a song, life a dream. Without adventures, one will never taste the flavor of freedom. Our faith might be found on the way.

After purifying our mind and dusting off the dirt, we once again hit the road. The destination, this time, is Mount Everest.

Civilization Nurtured by the Holy Mountain

Like the fervent aspiration cherished by many pilgrims for the divinities in their heart, I, for many years, have had a strong thirst for the glamour of Mount Everest. Nonetheless, the route for self-driving is really risky. I got up at 4 am and set off from Dingri County. The rubble road circling the mountain wound for 102 kilometers before reaching the headquarters. Under such road conditions, the driver can not drive too fast or too slowly and the speed should be kept within a range from 40 to 60 kmh to avoid resonance. It is said that one will meet 108 U-shaped turns upward and 105 downward, which will be a trial for one’s driving skills and, more importantly, one’s patience. Bouncing all the way, I felt that we were approaching Mount Everest. Although we could not see it, we already felt its magnificence. Undoubtedly, we stepped into the realm of a hero. After four hours bumping driving, we saw the prodigious Mount Everest free from any affection. Words failed to express my then feeling; all I wanted to do was to shake off tiredness and dashed towards her, forgetting I was on the plateau over 5000 meter in altitude.

As plain dwellers, we, walking on the plateau, felt weightless as if we were strolling in the sky. Grandiose mountains, blue skies, white clouds and clean and fresh air. In the big quiet valley, besides our soft steps, we heard the beating of our hearts.

After arriving at the headquarters, I stood long facing it. I gazed at her in awe. Shrouded by golden sunshine and against blue sky, she really impressed me with her serenity and dignity. Suddenly, I felt I was a kid snuggling against mother’s chest, filled with happiness and pride when looking up at her face.

Staying on plateau short of oxygen, people often fall into meditation or even delusion and lose consciousness. However, Mount Everest is by no means a trip for novelty. Every breath here could confront one with solemnness and meaning of life. I could not size up her profoundness and magnificence with my feet, but I can let my soul fly there to kiss the white snow on her summit.

Mount Everest, you represent a height which I will seek to attain forever. You will be an integral part in my spiritual world.

The second day after going down the mountain, we took a rest in Shigatse. I paid a special visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery which was the residence for Panchen. The Tibetan people, with a loyal heart, carry butter from thousands of miles away to contribute before the holy butter lamp. When we marveled at the splendid sunshine and raving snow, those pilgrims stood scorching sun, violent flood, storms and long-tie travel to head for a destination where some of them might never arrive. Those suffering diseases, might fail to get off the ground after long-time knelling down. They lied prostrate on the ground, looking composed and their souls drifted to the paradise they yearned for long. In this material world, we are often troubled by fame and fortune; our hearts are tortured by worries and obsessions. We have lost happiness and faith in the bustling world.

Boarding the plane back to Shenzhen, I reviewed my past 14-day journey: It was like reading a difficult book composed of numerous high mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers, a time-honored history and a profound religion.

This is an admirable nation. They sought their own faith and solutions through hardships.

As a matter of fact, happiness is not complicated---a beautiful world and a beautiful life. Compared with pious Tibetans, we are short of inner tranquility and the confusing outside world has eclipsed our innocent nature. If we can get back upright minds, kind behaviors and broad hearts, our life will be harmonious and happy again.

Therefore, from that moment I told myself to be simple and happy.

BOX：Zhengzhou Nissan Series Ascending Mount Everest

From July 22^nd to August 6^th, 2012, a Nissan Series auto fleet ,including SUV series- Nissan Tourle, Nissan Paladin, Dongfeng Odin, CDV series—Nissan NV200, Dongfeng Succe, Pickup series—Rich and Cabstar, spent half a month traveling before gathering at Lhasa from four routes: Chuan-zang, Dian-zang, Qing-zang and Tibet, and successfully reached the headquarters. It marked the fruitful end of 2012 Zhengzhou Nissan Auto Driver Meeting (Tibet). The activity attracted nearly 100 Zhengzhou Nissan owners including Mr. Tang Shizeng, also a Paladin driver, who was invited to visit the Mount Everest headquarters with other auto drivers.

Highlight: The confusing outside world has eclipsed our innocent nature. If we can get back upright minds, kind behaviors and broad hearts, our life will be harmonious and happy again.