Mo – China Travel Advisor at China Roads
Mo’s portrait in video
A few questions for Mo – his story, his advice and his favorites
What is your connection with China?
I was born in Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province in China and I left China at the age of 22 after my studies at Nanjing University to study in France. My first trip to China took place on my 5th birthday with my grandmother before entering primary school. We traveled for more than a month and traveled almost all the provinces of China (Shaanxi, Guangxi, Sichuan, Shanxi…). I still have some memories of this trip despite the distant date, the strawberries of Huaqingchi in Shaanxi, the toes of the Great Buddha on which I am sitting in Leshan in Sichuan, the monkeys of Emeishan, the waterfall of Huangguoshu, the camels of Lishan in Shaanxi, the Taoist who housed us in Huashan in Shanxi…
Where do you currently live?
I currently live in France in Paris.
What is your favorite place in China?
It’s hard to say which place I prefer in China, because I’ve traveled a lot and the places are so different in China, it’s hard to compare. Each region has its charm, the important thing is to open your eyes wide and observe but not just look for things you’ve already seen ten thousand times on TV or on the internet before leaving. If I have to give a preference, it’s the way of traveling. I prefer to see the real life of the locals than the “fake tourist sites”, I prefer to dive into the “messy” streets than to lie on a beach in front of a 5* hotel. I prefer nature than a big city except that it has a big character, I prefer ruins of ancient times than a super modern building (it’s true that I’m not very contemporary :)) …
When to leave?
When we want and when we can.
An experiment to do?
– Take an old train (green color) and cross a region with few tourists, you will certainly have pleasant encounters with local people
– Participate in a local craft production experience (tea making, pottery, paper umbrella, ink, incense etc.)
-Visit a local rural market
– See a local festival
A place in China you would gladly return to?
My region (Shaanxi) of course, not only because my parents are there but also it is a culturally very rich region. There are 452 national heritage sites, 369 of which are ancient architectures. 80% of the architecture dating from before the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) of China are in Shanxi. There are many places that are not exploited. I have traveled a lot in this province, there are great places that I still don’t know: The Temple of the Three Religions in Lizhai (super architectures and sculptures, watched over by local peasants); the hanging village in Ningwu (on top of a cliff and cut off from the world); the troglodyte houses of all shapes and sizes (a bit everywhere in Shanxi); the earth forest of Datong; the Great Walls older than that of Beijing, some of which are built of earth; the Ningwu Glacier (yes, you read that right!), a three-million-year-old ice cave that never melts, listed by UNESCO; numerous early 20th-century Catholic churches with hybrid Western-Eastern styles, some built in a castle or on a cliff…
What travel destinations do you recommend in China?
A Chinese proverb says: It is difficult to make a dish that pleases everyone. Similarly, it is difficult to propose a destination that pleases everyone. Hence the importance of a travel advisor who must be able to understand the needs of travelers and create a unique trip that suits them with his experiences and knowledge.
A book or film to discover before traveling to China?
Regarding films, I like a Chinese director named Jia Zhangke. He has his own views and reflections on today’s China and he is interested in “ordinary people”. He manages to tell their ordinary lives with moving stories, the roles are often played by people who are not professionals with a natural manner, the characters are endearing. His films allow you to see a real China today.
A restaurant or dish you love
Peking duck, Peking duck, Peking duck, one important thing is worth repeating three times!
A souvenir to bring back from China?
Tea, embroidery, fabrics, minority jewelry, everything artisanal…
Any last advice?
Always carry toilet paper (or tissues) with you, as most restrooms don’t provide them, even I get caught out every time…