What does it mean to radically change your life? Author Alec Ash meets the Chinese who are doing just that, "reverse migrants" from the cities to the remote countryside of southwestern China, and he himself participates in an incredible and inspiring journey of self-discovery.

In 2020, Alec Ash left behind his life as a journalist in bustling Beijing and moved to Dali, a rural valley in Yunnan province, China, surrounded by a large ear-shaped lake and overseen by the Cang mountain range. Here, he hopes to find the space and perspective to heal his grief and escape the trappings of fast-paced, high-pressure urban life.

Originally home to the Bai people, Dali has become a rich and diverse community of people of all ages and backgrounds, with a common goal: to reject the worst aspects of modern times and live more simply, in harmony with the natural world and away from the core of authoritarian power. In this community, Alec integrates, documenting his first year of life in Dali among these fascinating neighbors, from political dissidents to bohemian hippies.

"The Mountains Are High" is a beautifully written, honest memoir about how reevaluating what is truly important and taking a leap of faith to achieve it can truly transform your life. As one of the "new migrants" says when Alec arrives: it's easy to change your environment, much more difficult to change your mind.

Pages: 272, Dimensions: 13.5x13.5cm