China
9th May 2017
The nine million bicycles have dwindled to about three. There are at least nine million cars instead, probably more, as it has a population of 22 million.
30th August 2016
Shangri-La is punctuated by stops at border crossings for more passport checks as we inch closer to China. There is the pre-border check in Kyrgyzstan, then the stamp the passport Kyrgyzstan stop,
1st October 2012
19th August 2011
China has changed a great deal in 15 years. The people are friendlier and seem to be quite a bit taller too.
31st October 2000
31st August 1996
It was really a good route right up through the middle, with a wiggle to the west and Sichuan/Yunnan) taking in all the major tourist sights. In those days touring was still very controlled and there was a lot of army surveillance, hotels were dubious and the many diverse sights amazing
11th September 1988
The bus breaks down frequently. When it does the drivers disappear underneath, burnishing spanners and more Tibetans appear miraculously and help to get it on its way again. If our bus runs smoothly the road is blocked by other buses or trucks that have broken down, often tipping ominously to one side.