Pokin’s dad lives across a reservoir from the tallest mountain in Shenzhen – 梧桐山, or Wutong Mountain.

And the family thought it fitting to do a family hike for Chinese New Year before visiting the Hongfa temple in celebration.

So we set out at 8am in the morning to get to the entrance.

It was a little early for my tastes but if my best bear bud can get up so can I.

And off we went down cement paths and up concrete steps.

Across bridges,

Past ridiculous signs,

And vendors selling all sorts of crazy looking trail snacks.

Eventually we made it to the top, where we could see most of Shenzhen,

And a TV tower.

After that, it was back down the mountain to the Hungfa Temple to give and receive blessings.

Which would have been a fine idea if about a million other Chinese people didn’t have the same thought.

We spent almost as much time waiting to get into the temple as we did doing the 12 mile hike.

My Best Bear Bud wasn’t feeling great about it all.

As for me, I just took a nap in his backpack while we were waiting in line.

Eventually we got into the temple, got some incense, lit some incense, waved them in front of various buddhas, fought the crowds out of the temple, took the bus home, and made dinner.

And that was our 過年 Chinese New Year – a full day and 29,000 steps later.