Why "Beyond the Yangtze" ??

WHY BEYOND THE YANGTZE?

As a New Zealander living among magical "Lord of the Rings" landscapes, naturally I would be drawn towards the mountains, lakes and rivers of South China. In 2012 before I set out on my first 5-week adventure to China, many days were spent crafting an itinerary to match destinations to my New Zealand tastes. Intending to follow in the paths of the great European “plant collectors” of the 19th century, I plotted a trail across the flora-rich Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.

My adventure would start in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan and finish in Xishuangbana, Yunnan, on the banks of the Mekong River. What I encountered along the way was so much more than the stunning landscapes I expected. What I observed has lodged clearly in my memory to this day:

· An historical and cultural depth that permeated the landscapes as well as the people.

· Local people whose hospitality, warmth and friendship have endured to this day.

· Endless stone paths, paved over many centuries with great skill and a unique Chinese asthethic.

· Food that was more than nutrition and, meals that were less about food and more about sharing, story-telling , performance and art!

· A society driven by the collective, no doubt a result of China’s 5000 year history.

And so in 2012, as a result of my experiences “Beyond the Yangtze” I was infected with the "China Bug". It was in my blood now and to South China I would return many times. But it wasn't just a holiday fling, rather a full-blown and all-consuming love affair! My adventuring became insatiable, and over the following 8 years resulted in 100 or more train and bus journeys and over 50,000 km traversed across the South.

People unfamiliar with, or not having visited China, will mostly identify with the icons of the North as must-see travel destinations...Beijing, the Great Wall, the Forbidden Palace, the Terracotta Warriors in Xian and the Old Silk Road out West. And yes there are countless "cookie cutter" tours that will take you to those places if that is your desire. But I have always sort out the “Road less travelled”.

South China also has its iconic locations. The Pandas in Chengdu, the Shanghai skyline and cruising on the Yangtze River, but these destinations also had limited appeal to me. In my early adventures and later on in my stories I wanted to show that there was much more to South China, if only one ventured like I did, off the beaten path.

As time went on, I developed a growing desire to share my passion for South China. The obvious conduit could be escorting groups “Beyond the Yangtze”. However, in 2020, along came the Pandemic to pour cold water on my dream.

During the Covid lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, with plenty of time on my idle hands, the vehicle for future adventures was crafted. Blue Skies Travel (NZ) Ltd…a child of the Pandemic was conceived in my home study!

China’s lockdowns would drag on for three long years. In 2023 they eventually reopened to foreign visitors. In 2024 they brought in their 30 day Visa free policy which applied to travellers from many European countries, Australia and NZ. The stars had finally aligned for us and in September of 2025 we escorted our first group of adventurers “Beyond the Yangtze”. The dream had become a reality!

The Historical and Cultural Depth of China

Hospitality, Warmth and Enduring Friendships...

So Many Paths to Follow

Gallery

"Beyond the Yangtze" landscapes & people - Memories etched in the mind...