2011 Long Distance Trips
A summary of the long distance trips we did in 2011, with links to view photos taken on each trip.
Updated with links to the trip reports, where available
We did a lot of scouting trips throughout China during 2010, and in 2011 we took groups of hikers to some of the most interesting places that we found in Gansu, Yunnan, and the far north of Inner Mongolia.
As well as these new trips, we repeated some of our favourite trips from last year, including the Tengger and Alashan Desert, Wuyuan in Jiangxi, and the northern Silk Road in Xinjiang.
Below is a list of the trips we did, with links to photos and writeups for many of them.
Interested in long distance trips with us next year? Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we'll send you the trip schedule as soon as it's ready!
Trips completed in 2011 | Date | Trip | Photos |
|---|
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) | 2011 trip photos |
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) | Photos from the trip |
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. | Photos from May 2011 trip |
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. | Photos from the trip |
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. | July 2011 trip photos |
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. | July 2011 trip photos |
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.
| August 2011 trip photos |
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. | Photos from the trip |
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. | Photos from the trip |
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. | Photos from the trip |
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 |