Mathieu – travel advisor for treks in China at China Roads
A few questions for Mathieu – his story, his advice and his favorites
What is your connection with China? Your first trip to China?
My first trip to China was in 2008. That year, we went on a family trip with my sisters and my parents and discovered the must-see places (regions of Beijing, Xi’An, Shanghai…). But the primary goal of this trip was to see a total solar eclipse, the optimal observation site of which was in the middle of the Gobi Desert in the Xinjiang province. Experiencing such a natural spectacle in such a setting was obviously a very memorable experience, and in 2010, I moved to Shanghai, China, sent on a 2-year mission by my company, an SME specializing in cartographic applications for urban transport management. 10 years later, I am still in China.
Where do you currently live?
I currently live in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan. Having made a career change six years ago to focus on tourism and trekking, I naturally wanted to get closer to the mountains of western China.
What is your favorite place in China?
Hard to choose There are so many beautiful places and incredible discoveries to be made in China! If I had to choose just one, I would say that the most unique and impressive place I have been able to discover is the Badain Jaran Desert. Part of the Gobi Desert and located in Inner Mongolia, the Badan Jarain Desert is a sandy desert in which we find not only the highest dunes in the world (600m from base to summit!), but also multiple lakes whose colors range from intense blue to turquoise green and some of which are sometimes several kilometers long. Breathtaking landscapes!
When to leave?
China is vast, and some southern regions offer optimal weather in winter, while others in the north can only be explored in summer. But overall, I think spring and autumn are the two times when you can travel throughout the country while still enjoying a pleasant climate.
An experiment to do?
Enjoy a sunrise or sunset over the Yuanyang rice terraces! Located near Vietnam, in the south of Yunnan province, these veritable “mirrors of the sky” are reputed to be the largest and oldest rice terraces in the world… The site offers multiple viewpoints, each as magnificent as the last. Attention photographers, it’s impossible to miss your shot here!
A favorite hotel?
The “Tulu lodge” also called “Estelle’s House”! Located in a small hamlet in the Tibetan areas of northern Yunnan, this place will allow you to enjoy the warm welcome of Estelle (and her cooking skills!), a French woman in love with Tibet who has known the region for more than 25 years. Here you will not find the luxury of 5 * hotels, but the authenticity of a traditional Tibetan building tastefully renovated by Estelle herself thanks to her architectural talents, all in an eco-friendly spirit. A comfortable, zen place, truly unique and designed in the spirit of French guest rooms.
What travel destinations do you recommend in China?
If, like me, you’re a fan of wide open spaces, then head west! The vast majority of China’s population is concentrated in the large coastal cities in the south and east, but the west of the country, particularly the provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu, and of course Tibet and Xinjiang, have remained more isolated from development and are still very rural. Immense gorges, high mountains, steppes, deserts… There’s something for everyone!
A book or film to discover before traveling to China?
“Heavenly Funeral” by Xinran. A very well-written and easy-to-read short story that is a very good introduction to Tibetan culture and its contemporary relationship with the rest of China.
A restaurant or dish you love
When I lived in Shanghai, I loved the food at Yelixiali Restaurant, which was located downstairs from my apartment building. This restaurant serves specialties from Xinjiang, a Muslim province located in the far northwest of China. It’s a kind of fusion between Central Asian (or Turkish) and Chinese cuisine. A true culinary discovery and a true delight!
A souvenir to bring back from China?
If you are a tea lover, don’t miss a tasting in one of the countless tea houses that you will find throughout the country, and more particularly in Yunnan, the true land of tea and in particular of the Pu’Er variety, undoubtedly the most appreciated by connoisseurs!
Any last advice?
Before you leave, forget your preconceived notions, have an open mind, and come and discover for yourself. Don’t expect to discover everything in one trip either; China is too vast and the distances too great; it would take several lifetimes to discover it. For a first discovery, focus on one or two regions… and there’s no doubt that your trip will make you want to come back!