2011 Long Distance Trips

1–3 Apr

Wuyuan, Jiangxi Province
Vast fields of yellow flowers and ancient river towns in southern China. Cultural focus, nothing too strenuous.

Photos from the trip

8 Apr–10 Apr

Ancient Walled City of Pingyao (2.5 days)
Guided tours of the alleys, thoroughfares, and the key historical sites; an easy hike outside the city walls. (Fast train there; fly back)

29 Apr–2 May

Alashan Desert Route 1
Travel by foot and jeep through the desert, visit desert lakes, ride camels, camp in the desert, and more.

29 Apr–1 May

Ancient Walled City of Pingyao (3 days)
Guided tours of the alleys, thoroughfares, and the key historical sites; an easy hike outside the city walls. (Fly there; fly back)

20 May–22 May

Ancient Walled City of Pingyao (2.5 days)
Guided tours of the alleys, thoroughfares, and the key historical sites; an easy hike outside the city walls. (Fast train there; fly back)

26 May–29 May

Zhangye, Gansu Province
Fantastically coloured mountains and cliffs in an all-but unexplored area of Gansu; Jiayuguan Fortress and Great Wall, and more.

16 Jun–19 Jun

Alashan Desert Route 2
Travel by foot and jeep through the desert, visit desert lakes, camp in the desert, and more.

17 Jun–19 Jun

Bashang Prairie
Clean and cool grasslands near the border of Hebei and Inner Mongolia; hikes, BBQ lamb, and more. Horse-riding/motorbikes optional.

14 Jul–17 Jul

Hulunbeir Prairie
Fresh air and the endless green grasslands of the best preserved prairie in China. Trip includes hiking and a visit to a border town that contains a curious mix of Chinese and Russian culture.

29 Jul–31 Jul

Bashang Prairie
Clean and cool grasslands near the border of Hebei and Inner Mongolia; hikes, BBQ lamb, and more. Horse-riding/motorbikes optional.

11 Aug–14 Aug

Alashan Desert Route 2
Travel by foot and jeep through the desert, visit desert lakes, camp in the desert, and more.

17 Aug–21 Aug

Kashgar and Mt. Muztagh-Ata, Xinjiang
Trip cancelled, apologies.

Aug 26–28 Aug

Bashang Prairie
Clean and cool grasslands near the border of Hebei and Inner Mongolia; hikes, BBQ lamb, and more. Horse-riding/motorbikes optional.

9 Sep–11 Sep

Bashang Prairie
Clean and cool grasslands near the border of Hebei and Inner Mongolia; hikes, BBQ lamb, and more. Horse-riding/motorbikes optional.

1 Oct–7 Oct

Xinjiang: Journey from the West
See the sights along a key stretch of the northern Silk Road, visiting Urumqi, Turpan, Hami, Dunhuang, and Jiayuguan. Camp a night in the Gobi Desert and see the ancient Han Dynasty Great Wall; visit Turpan's Grape Valley; view the Buddhist artwork in the Mogao Grottoes; and explore Jiayuguan, the outpost at the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall.

Oct 7–10 Oct

Zhangye, Gansu Province
Fantastically coloured mountains and cliffs in an all-but unexplored area of Gansu; Jiayuguan Fortress and Great Wall, and more. Hiking and photography focus.

7 Oct–9 Oct

Ancient Walled City of Pingyao
Trip cancelled, sorry.

10 Nov–13 Nov

Lijiang and Shangri-La, Yunnan
See the highlights of Lijiang and Shangri-La - the cobbled streets and watercourses of ancient towns, country roads and fields around small settlements, Naxi culture, and amazing views of snow-capped mountains. Cultural focus, nothing too strenuous..

Photos from the trip