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Join Mei Zhang as she embarks on the field study portion of her PhD, pursuing turning the ancient Tea Horse Road into “an interactive outdoor space, where hikers from around the world will finally have a long trail to follow in China, similar to El Camino trail in Spain or Appalachian trail in the US.”
“To do this well, I intend to widen my lens as much as possible, and build my field of study from sociological, historical, economic, cultural angles and more. Whether you’re a scholar, a hiker, a volunteer, or a grant giver, I would love for you to join me. This project is not for one person or one government alone, it’s for us all.”
Mei’s full research proposal can be found on the UC Berkeley Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management page here.
Rosewood Beijing
Luxury
With its residential-style suites and spacious bathrooms, Rosewood Beijing is a homelike escape from the bustle of the city. From night wanderers to history lovers, this hotel offers a range of activities that will make your time in Beijing unforgettable. After a long day exploring, return to the hotel for a beverage at the lounge while admiring the hotel’s collection of traditional Chinese art or tuck into a variety of local and western favorites at on of the signature restaurants. Then, relax with a swim, yoga class, or restorative spa treatment before resting up for another day of wandering Beijing’s busy streets.
The Middle House
Luxury Boutique
The Middle House blends Italian vision with modern aesthetics, topping it all with a uniquely Shanghainese twist. Designed by Italian architect Piero Lissoni to radiate urban sophistication, The Middle House’s decor skillfully combines old and new, texture, color, and line to create a thoroughly modern luxury accommodation experience – an oasis of calm set against the dynamic backdrop of a city 25 million people strong. Indulge in international, Italian, or Chinese favorites at one of the hotel’s signature restaurants, escape from it all at the day spa, and rest easy with The Middle House’s 24/7 bespoke service.
Field Study Leader
Mei Zhang is the founder and CEO of WildChina. Under her leadership, WildChina flourished from a small Hutong operation into an award-winning business. Mei’s own expertise has led her to win a number of personal awards, including Travel and Leisure’s A-List of Top Travel Advisors, Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialist, and Wendy Perrin’s #WOW List of Travel Experts.
Mei is an Aspen Institute China Fellow and currently serves as a member of Harvard Business School’s Alumni Board.
Departure Dates
Booking Information
Open to individual and multi-person/group bookings
If you’re interested in sponsoring one of the six departures (hosting/inviting your own group of 10 pax), please get in touch. Availability is still open.
50% of trip cost is a donation to the feasibility study scholarship supporting Mei’s research
What’s Included
What’s Excluded
Trip Cost
USD $10,000 per person
Trip Difficulty: Adventurous
This journey is classified as adventurous. For the Yunnan portion of this trip, expect full days hiking (10-25 kilometers per day)
Your Guides
Your guide will arrange the logistics of your trip, including meals, hotel reservations, sites, and activities, as well as providing you with information about the local region. Your WildChina guide is specific to each local region and will be confirmed during booking.
Health and Safety
WildChina puts the safety and comfort of our guests, guides, and drivers at the top of our priority list. We’ve spent the last few months reviewing our safety protocols, and in light of this pandemic, we’ve instituted a number of new procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all members of a WildChina journey. View our Health and Safety procedures.
Meals and Water
Meals are included, as listed in your itinerary. We strive to arrange meals that highlight authentic local cuisine in clean, local establishments.
It is safe to drink bottled mineral water, but tap water, even in 5-star hotels, is not safe for drinking. We will provide bottled water, tea, and snacks throughout your journey.
We request guests with severe allergies to consult their physicians prior to traveling and to bring all necessary medicines with them. Inform us ahead of time of specific allergies, such as peanuts or shellfish, or sensitivities to MSG, so that we can do our best to ensure these items are not used in your meals.
