ENGLISH EDITION OF THE WEEKLY CHINESE NEWSPAPER, IN-DEPTH AND INDEPENDENT
The Roads Less Travelled

 


Earlier this month China wrapped up what was arguably its most chaotic “Golden Week” national holiday to date. Thousands were left stranded in national parks, five tons of garbage was left in Tiananmen Square, and in some instances, armed police were dispatched to quell packs of riotous tourists. So why does China keep such a horrid holiday system in place and how can travelers get a more serene and profound look at the country?

You’d be hard-pressed to find a laowai who’s traveled more of China than Tom Carter. Over two years, he traveled more than 35,000 miles across the country hitting each and every province and municipality…and he did so while spending an average of less than $7 per day. The journey culminated in his photography book China: Portrait of a People, where he depicted the lives of all 56 Chinese ethnic groups. In today’s podcast we discuss Chinese holidays and talk logistics about how to travel the Middle Kingdom in the most rewarding way.

Have a question you’d like to hear discussed in a future episode? Record a brief Mp3 and send it to chinahangup@gmail.com.

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Click here for past episodes.

Links
Lost Laowai - Foreigners Allowed! – Hotel Registration Tutorial
Erika Warmbrunn - Where the Pavement Ends: One Woman\'s Bicycle Trip Through Mongolia, China & Vietnam
Tom Carter – Unsavory Elements: Stories of Foreigners on the Loose in China
Eric – Video: Biking through China’s Countryside