The PETRONAS Adventure Team stayed a day longer than scheduled at Kunming, China to give their cars some much needed servicing before making their way to a UNESCO World Heritage site of Lijiang before proceeding to Zhongdian, a.k.a. “Shangri-la”.

Breathtaking scenery were then norm while team members negotiate three mountain passes on their way to De Qin, the last outpost in Yunan province before entering the sacred land of Tibet.

Here’s the latest recollection of their expedition by PAT’s Marketing Director Azman Baharuddin:

“1 September. We extended our stay in Kunming for another day so that all the cars could be thoroughly checked and serviced at two workshops here. After the beating the cars took in the off-road sector, Expedition Leader Halim Abdul Rahman felt that the cars should be serviced before beginning the team’s uphill climb into the highlands. Members took the opportunity to visit several outdoor shops to buy high altitude camping gear plus stock up on food.

On 31st August, the team celebrated the nation’s 48th year of independence. The Jalur Gemilang was flown from the roof rack of Abdul Rahman Shariff's car. Documentary producer Harun Rahman also read out Merdeka messages from home on the radio communications system.

After every corner in the bend, we were treated to sumptuous scenery – of crop covered fields, villages, and towns in the valley below. Faraway hills also distracted the car passengers. Unfortunately, where the breathtaking scenery deserves a photograph, we found there was no place safe to stop. The roads are two lanes and the shoulder kerbs are so high that it is impossible to park at the side. Many of the photographers amongst the team were especially disappointed.

We arrived in Lijiang in time for dinner, after which, we visited the Old Town of Lijiang. Inscribed in 1997 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, no vehicles are allowed unless it is electric-operated. Visitors prefer to take a taxi to town, and then go on foot. One small part of this 800-year-old town offers a gamut of restaurants and souvenir shops, but the rest is home to the Naxi ethnic minority.

The next morning (1 Sept), we left for De Qin. We were supposed to have stayed overnight at Zhongdian (also known as Shangri-la), but because we stayed an extra night in Kunming, we had to lose a night somewhere else. We are seeing spectacular scenery as we make our way towards De Qin at 3293m above sea level.

As we approached De Qin, the convoy drove through triple mountain passes at 4,331m, 4350m (Yak La), and 4,313m. The second pass was the highest pass today, and afforded a magnificent view, including a snow-capped mountain range. We also passed many herdsmen with their yaks, sheep and goats, as well as mountain streams cascading down steep mountain slopes. The weather is getting cold and many members have started wearing their winter jackets. It rained briefly at certain sections of the route.

De Qin is the last outpost of Yunnan on the way to Tibet. There are already signs of Tibet – prayer flags, stupas, and monks. Tomorrow we enter the Tibet Autonomous Region.”