Archive for May, 2009
Camping In Inner Mongolia
In the summer it is a scalding expanse of desert in the spring verdant grassland; but in the winter Inner Mongolia is a white kingdom few travelers beyong the occasional Mongol nomad brave to enter.
Indeed the traditionally nomadic lifestyle of the native Mongolian reflects the regions unforgiving climate. To quote the usually intrepid Lonely Planet guidebook chapter on Inner Mongolia “from December to March forget it!”
Occupying 12 of Chinas landmass in a majestic arching slope of over one million kilometers Inner Mongolia borders 8 other Chinese provinces in addition to the colossal countries of Mongolia and Russia to the north.
Today Mongolians make up only 17 of the provincial population. And while leatherskinned warriors on armored horseback may no longer pose a threat to the Chinese the mainland is now seeing a second Mongolian invasion this time in the form of sand.
The vast Gobi Desert which already consumes Inner Mongolias northwestern border is dramatically expanding at a rate of 10000 square kilometers per year and is calculated to turn 40 of the Peoples Republic into a veritable wasteland evinced by the apocalyptic sandstorms from the north that assault Beijing during the summer months
But vacationers to Inner Mongolia Nei Menggu in Putonghua need not concern themselves with such things as environmental catastrophes for in winter the gold sands of the Gobi slowly give way to white as frost slowly veils first the north and then the entire province.
Arriving in the Inner Mongolian capital of Hohhot pronounced Ho huh ha ta one finds that it truly is a “Blue City” as its Mongolian name implies but with a comparatively modern ambiance nonetheless.
The urban skyline falls behind the horizon as our journey via steam train progresses across the frozen plateau to the more rustic northeast. Following electrical lines from village to village the trains icetrimmed windows reveal an otherwise barren countryside dotted with red brick homes stacked with chimneys continuously exhaling their coal smoke.
This is the pastoral life of Mongolian miners farmers and shepherds hibernating for the winter nary a sole outside save the occasional caravan of camels led through the snowy waste by men as furry and indistinguishable as their charge.
The flatlands give way to hills of white birch and sinuous rivers of blue ice. Veering north the train then burrows into the Greater Khingan mountain range which forms a natural provincial border separating Inner Mongolia from the plains of Manchuria to the east.
Passing frozen Hulan Hu Chinas fifth largest lake and the Hulunbuir grasslands now blanketed in snow it comes as a pleasant shock to discover that the busiest land port of entry in the mainland is located here in the far reaches of Inner Mongolia. The Manzhouli crossroads situated directly on the borders of China Mongolia and Russia and the TransSiberian Railway is a fascinating fusion of northeastern cultures.
Shops hotels and restaurants are of distinct Russian personality and advertise in both Chinese and Russian script while the streets teem with rugged importexporters and big blonde Russian tourists extravagantly attired in plush fur coats pelt scarves and omnipresent ushanka hats.
But the final and most remote destination comes during the return trip south through tundra as vast as the sky above the snowscape spotted with resilient brush windswept fences and adobe villages of iceglazed rooftops untilXanadu Kublai Khans summer palace.
While the name Xanadu invokes an air of mystery to those who have never been there is in fact no “snowwhite mares with sacred milk rich and beautiful meadows” as observed by Marco Polo nor Samuel Taylor Coleridges oftcited “stately pleasure dome.”
Xanadu otherwise known as Yuanshangdu today is less an eternal world than a set of dilapidated stone walls and towers buried in centuries of dirt and weeds leaving the fantasies of a romantic Mongolian city to be written by the opiumaddled. Chinas tourism bureau has all but deserted the ancient area for literally greener pastures and according to locals it is a rare day when even one visitor can be found walking the venerable grounds during the winter months.
But the sheer desolation of Xanadu is exactly its attraction. Walking among 11thcentury ruins mantled in dazzling whiteness one is left completely alone to enjoy an untouched history and uncorrupted serenity that is otherwise not found in todays China.
In the immortal words of disco queen Olivia Newton John “Now we are in Xanadu!”
Tom Carter a freelance writer and photographer from San Francisco has lived in P.R.China the past two and a half years. He is currently backpacking through all 32 Chinese provinces.
Getting there
Daily flights from Hong Kong to Hohhot connecting in Beijing via Air China Cathay Pacific and Dragon Air 6 hours 7000 HKD round trip.
Daily trains from Hong Kong to Beijing 24 hours 800 HKD. From Beijing to Hohhot 12 hours 300 HKD
To reach the bordertown of Manzhouli daily trains from Hohhot to Hailaer approx 40 hours 270 HKD for a sleeper. From Halaer to Manzhouli via shuttle bus or express train 3 hours.
There are no official tours or direct routes to Xanadu. From Hohhot or Hailaer get off at Sangandali and then take a shuttle bus to Zhenglanqi simply called Lanqi by the locals. From Lanqi a private taxi can be retained for approx. 100 HKD for a round trip to Yuanshangdu 30 minutes away.
About the writer: China photographer Tom Carter is the author of ‘CHINA: Portrait of a People’ a definitive 600page book of photography coming soon from Hong Kong publisher Blacksmith Books.
Camping Gear – Only Way To Ensure A Great Camping Trip In UK
Camping is increasingly become one of the most favorite activities of people across the world. In UK people who go for cycling trips are the ones who are the most avid campers. Another way of camping that is popular with both the people who live in UK as well as the ones who visit the country. However because of the unpredictable weather in UK you need to choose your camping gear with care. The wet weather conditions in UK make it mandatory to buy equipment that is waterproof.
Most lovers of the outdoors find the mountainous of UK ideal for hiking and camping. And for these activities it is important to buy the right hiking and camping gear. You can also go in for other outdoor activities like cycling in UK. The main purpose is to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of nature that UK has to offer. Though summer months are the best to go for a camping vacation most hardcore enthusiasts prefer the harsh weather conditions of winters to go for hiking or camping in order to test their grit and determination.
Camping in caravan is a favorite way to go for many people especially keeping in consideration the unpredictable weather conditions in UK. Most campers from Eastern Europe come prepared with their caravans and other camping equipment. You can pull out a list of the various caravan parks all across UK from an online dictionary of caravan parks. Just select the location of the caravan park you want to go to and then get your camping gear in order.
It is wise to plan well in advance and buy your camping gear before visiting UK in a caravan. However if you are making a last minute plan you will need to buy your camping equipment from along the way. Some additional equipment is required for caravan camping as compared to normal camping gear. So if you buy your equipment beforehand you can save money. Another place where you can save up is on food. You can take proper food stock for your trip.
Planning your camping trip properly in advance and buying the correct camping equipment are the only two things you need in order to make your camping trip most enjoyable. You will really enjoy the beautiful countryside of UK whatever outdoor activity you engage in.
About the writer: Abhishek is an avid Camping enthusiast and he has got some great Camping Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 84 Pages Ebook “How To Have An Unforgettable Camping Vacation!” from his website http://www.CampingGuru.com/768/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
Camping Equipment…Your Survival Could Depend On The Right Camping Equipment
When I was teen camping equipment consisted mainly of a backpack to carry supplies a sleeping bag and a tent. Of course we always camped at the same old spots most of the time. Today people have more diverse interest than just building a campfire and doing a little fishing. People now hike backpack and climb rocks just to name a few activities. As they have ventured out and away from the campsite the risk of getting lost or hurt away from civilization has greatly increased. Survival gear and equipment are now an absolute must for anyone’s camping equipment. The following are some of the most important items that should be a part of every survival kit. These are just a few recommendations from the good folks at 4 Seasons Survival.com.
1. Spark Lite fire starter. The sparklite is the official US military fire starter because it’s so easy to use even when injured.
2.First Need water purifier. Although there are many filters on the market there are only a handful that they would use in an emergency. First Need because it is EPA approved and so easy to use gets the nod.
3.Don’t Bite Me Patch. Each patch offers protection from biting insects for up to 36 hours.
4. QuickClot Silver. Stops moderate to severe bleeding until further medical help is available.
Once again these are just some suggestions for your survival kit.
In this day and age however people should be thinking more about a rescue than survival. So your preparedness should absolutely include some type of signaling device. Most people think in terms of electronic beacons or GPS systems when looking into signaling. For most of us they are still cost prohibitive. The second and perhaps most relevant issue is that with a beacon or GPS unit if you get separated from the party that has it the device does you no good. So if dad has control of the device and his teenage son wanders off and gets lost searchers can locate dad but what about his son?
I have come up with a very simple and costeffective answer to all these concerns. The LifeTracker is a device that in case of an emergency will with the pull of a cord jettisons a heavy gauge red balloon attached to a 1000 ft fishing line up high enough for searchers or a rescue plane to see. The LifeTracker makes it possible for people to be found before panic ever sets in. It not only will save lives but millions of dollars in search and rescue man hours. The LifeTracker is a series of 3 different products designed to locate anyone lost or in distress in hours rather than days. The LifeTracker Belt The LifeTracker Vest and The LifeTracker flare Gun can be offered inexpensively enough to allow an entire family to outfit themselves with The LifeTracker for what it might cost to purchase one GPS unit. It even has a 12″ solar light rope for night rescues. In this day and age of electronics it’s refreshing to find something that is completely mechanical. There are no batteries or bad reception to worry about.
Anyone venturing into the wilderness; campers hikers backpackers and rock climbers will want either the “Belt” or “Vest” as part of their everyday gear.
The LifeTracker Belt … 4″ wide with pockets on the outside to store a thermal blanket and other survival supplies.
The LifeTracker Vest… Using the same concept as the “Belt” the vests inner side unzips to release a folded leanto tent complete with telescopic 3 ft poles. Some people will prefer a vest and are willing to pay extra for the complete survival package. This offers a great option and like the “Belt” is very marketable.
The LifeTracker Flare Gun…Flare guns are very expensive and of course the flare only has a short life. With a small adjustment to the LifeTracker Device it can easily be kept in a lightweight pistol that can be stored in any backpack vehicle boat or plane. It might even have military use.
If you would like more information please go to: The LifeTracker
While you are there please click on CONTACT and let me know what you think about my concept.
About the writer: Jack has always been in love with the outdoors. Now in his late 50′s he lives in California surrounded by meadows and trees. So many people go missing each year so he has come up with an idea to help find anyone lost in the wilderness in hours rather than days.