The kids, some as young as 6-years-old and some as old as 17, live in Pili, a small village of about 400 farmers located in the foothills that separate China from nearby Tajikistan and Afghanistan. The problem? The closest school for these youngsters is 120 miles away, with a 50 mile stretch completely inaccessible by vehicles and traversable only by foot or by camel.

The journey, which the students accompanied by a group of teachers do four times a year in between terms, takes at least two days and one night—often longer—to complete. The most dangerous part of the path, according to the Telegraph is a path, just a few inches wide at its most narrow point, that has been cut into the cliff face 1,000 feet over the valley beneath it.

In addition, there are also four freezing rivers (no bridges, they have to wade), a 600-foot zip-line to slide down and several narrow, wooden-plank bridges ahead.

“Actually the parents think it toughens the kids up, and gives them good experience,” Su Quin, the head teacher at Taxkorgan Town boarding school said, according to the Telegraph. “We make sure that it is always a responsible group of teachers and local officials that go, and they take good care of the children.”

[Via: the Telegraph]

[Photo via: Flickr]

Vending machines, though convenient, have always lacked true sustenance. Well, no more, pescatarians! A new vending machine in China offers subway travelers live crab delicacies with the expediency we’ve all come to love. Just be sure to pick the right one. While A3 might be looking as fresh as a Georgia Peach, that lowly little sucker in D9 is probably emitting a slow-death poison. Bon Appetit!

iWend ambassador Dave Hoffman recently took a trip to China. This is one of the more memorable things he saw–in the bathroom.

As Hoffman put it, “Leave it to China to take the fun out of everything.”

[Photo Via: Gadling]

PHOTO: AFP

In what seems like a crazy reversal of roles, three Chinese youngsters have been recruited to observe 48 tigers for 72 hours in a safari park. The catch: They are enclosed in a 10-square- meter cage while the tigers roam free around them.

Qu Hongtao, spokesman of Qinling Wild Animal Safari in Xi’an, Shaanxi province told reporters that the purpose is to raise awareness for wildlife while celebrating the Year of the Tiger. After receiving over 650 applications for the positions, the park settled on three students.

The students have been given cameras and laptops to record the living habits of the tigers for the entire three days.

[Via: Orange News]

Follow me on Twitter @sarahesterman

In a strange and ironic twist of fate, Chinese officials have officially changed the name of the southern Chinese peak that inspired director James Cameron’s floating mountains in the movie Avatar to “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain”, a name inspired by the blockbuster film.

The “Southern Sky Column” in Zhangjiajie in southern Hunan province formally had its named changed to “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain” in a public ceremony on Monday, according to the Zhangjiajie government’s official website.

According to Reuters:

Tourists can now join a “Magical tour to Avatar-Pandora” or a “Miracle tour to Avatar’s floating mountain,” the Zhangjiajie branch of China International Travel Service Corp said on its website.

“Pandora is far but Zhangjiajie is near,” the municipal government added on its website. “Welcome to Zhangjiajie to see ‘Avatar’s Hallelujah Mountains’ and discover the real world of Pandora.”

[Via: Reuters]

Follow me on Twitter @Kyle_Cassidy

The Chinese government has sentenced Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen to six years in prison for producing a documentary film about the plight of Tibetan refugees.

Wangchen’s 2008 documentary Leaving Fear Behind showcased the opinions and feelings of ordinary Tibetan people about the Dalai Lama, China’s policies in Tibet and the Olympic Games. According to reports, Wangchen and his partner Golog Jigme managed to smuggle the film to the outside world in March of 2008. On that same day Lhasa city erupted into mass protests against unpopular Chinese rule.

Syria

Splashing around in water is fun. And no matter where you are on this grand planet of ours the rule is the same: if there is enough water people will find a way to have fun in it.

In his fly-fishing masterpiece The River Why, Oregon author David James Duncan claims that since human beings begin our lives in a watery womb, and since our bodies are made of 70 percent water, that it is our natural state to come back to it.

Unfortunately many water sources in developing countries are not clean enough to drink from, but that doesn’t always stop people from swimming in them (notice the photo of Pakistan, which features a group of children swimming in a pond so covered in garbage that you can’t even see the water).

There is a certain medicinal sensation to being immersed in water, regardless of the quality. But since you are reading this on the internet odds are you have access to clean water as well. So if you are able, what better way to kick off the new year than a nice, cleansing swim?

Close your eyes and plug your nose because this week we take you on a visual journey of Swimming, ‘Round the World.

If you like our ‘Round the World series, you might enjoy some of the previous themes: sweaters, mustaches, stairs, chess, foods, silhouettes, outhouses, cemeteries and donkeys.

Click on the thumbnails to view the images. If you’d like to see more work by any of the photographers featured here then follow the link that appears below each photo.

Enjoy.

Follow me on Twitter @Kyle_Cassidy

In Fall 2007 Christoph Rehage set out on a mission to walk from China to Germany. He didn’t make it.

As you might know from the video or from the blog, I did walk about one third of the initial way, from November 9th 2007 (my 26th birthday) until October 27th 2008. Then I stopped. I got a haircut and shaved off my beard, and I took a plane home.

I came up with a new plan: go back to university, get a degree, don’t think about walking for a while.

Although Rehage didn’t complete the self-imposed mission, he was able to use footage of himself from the year he spent walking to create this cool time-lapse sequence of his changing facial hair.

[Via: The Longest Way]

Would you like a side of ethical quandary with your dinner?

The newest “rare” delicacy craze in China is live, deep-fried fish. Yes, it’s true. Chefs there have figured out a way to keep a fish alive as it gets deep fried so that diners get the added bonus of watching it gasp for air and writhe in pain on their plates as it waits to be eaten.

Perhaps some of you have waited your entire lives to eat an animal that is both still alive and deep fried. But I doubt it. Obviously we know where vegans stand on this issue, but I’m willing to bet that even the most blood-spattered carnivores out there will find something fundamentally disturbing about eating a live, deep-fried dinner.

This video may be a little graphic for some readers, particularly if you are a mermaid or merman.

You’ve been warned.

[Via: Huffington Post]

Wanna travel for a long period of time but have no money to do so? No ideas how to sustain your finances on the road? There are tons of ways to refuel your travelling funds as long as you have the means to do so. From teaching English in Spain to working as a dive instructor in Borneo, here are some tips to help you get started.

Visa Requirements

Depending on how long you would like to stay in the specific destination, work could mean a short-term bar job or a contractual professional position abroad. You usually do not need a visa for a temporary job, but it is important to obtain a visa for long-term stay (>3 months). Commonwealth citizens may find it easier to live in fellow Commonwealth countries – e.g. British citizens can easily apply for an Australian visa to stay for up to 2 years. (Read How to Live & Work in the UK/Australia.)

1. Summer Jobs

These temporary jobs abroad are usually suitable for young and energetic individuals looking for a new experience after graduation. Types of work include — bar staff, ski instructor, animador (entertaining staff in all-inclusive resorts),  dive instructor, hotel receptionist, au pair, translator etc. These websites provide job bulletins with specific positions around the world.

• Jobs Abroad Bulletin (JAB)
• Been-Seen Job Search Service
• GoAbroad Job Resource
• Useful Article – Summer Jobs Abroad

2. Teach English Abroad

A popular choice among many, it is rather easy to obtain a teaching job especially if you are a native speaker. Countries where teachers are highly demanded include – Spain, Czech Republic, Korea, Japan, and China. These are paid positions and remuneration is especially good in Asia. TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) is a bonus when finding a teaching job.

• Visiting International Faculty Program
• Teaching English in Spain
• TEFL Worldwide Prague
• Journey East – Teaching English in China

3. Volunteering

Although most volunteering positions are unpaid, you can still find some that offer a humble stipend. Roles include – organizing social activities, organic farming and teaching. Nueva Alianza in Guatemala is an example of paid volunteering.

• Idealist.org
• Farm Work Abroad
• Paid and Volunteering Opportunities in Ecuador
• Tips on Volunteering Abroad

4. Internship

Recent graduates might find an internship abroad an amazing opportunity for both their personal and professional development. Thousands of companies accept interns from abroad, although many are unpaid positions. These are some specific internships available.

• V!VA Travel Guides Editorial Internship
• STA Travel World Traveler Internship
• AIESEC Program
• Intern Abroad Resource

5. Travel Writing/Blogging

Many travelers keep a blog to share their experiences on the road with friends and families. After gaining readership, some actually start earning money from their blogs through advertising and paid blog assignments. Travel writers are slightly different, they pen articles based on their travels for magazines and this also provides a flow of income on the road. Here are some useful articles to help it come true:

• Nomadic Matt’s e-book : How to Make Money with your Travel Blog
• TravelHappy’s Tips to Making Money with a Blog
• Make Money Travel Blogging
• Sponsored Reviews: Paid Blogging Gigs

6. Work Wirelessly

This new and hip way of life is creating a new trend in the travelling world, as many pack their bags and laptops, working from anywhere around the world. Whether you are a web developer, project manager or editor, you no longer need to step into an office for your job. These insightful blogs provide tips on how you could actually achieve it.

• Almost Fearless: Options for Working Remotely from Anywhere
• Becoming a Digital Nomad
• NomaDesk
• Digital Nomads.com
• Location Independent

[Via: WildJunket]

Pictures of humorous translations often make their way into our travel photo albums, and today’s Friday Photo would certainly be a perfect fit. Diane Desenberg snapped this shot of the Yung Long Voluntary Car Dealership while traveling in China. “Apparently the only “cars” for sale are bicycles. Even children can shop at the Yun Long Voluntarily Car Dealership, because there is a selection of kid’s bikes as well,” says Diane. Those kids might not know the correct English word for “bike,” but at least they’ll start cycling at an early age!

For her great shot, Diane scores a pair of Keen cycling shoes. Want your own chance to get hooked up with some Keen gear? Submit your best cycling related shots to our Flickr pool and send an email with a description of your submission(s) to fphoto@wendmag.com. Each weekly winner will get a pair of Keen cycling shoes, and a grand prize winner at the end of the month will score a Keen commuter bag.

Micah Dash and Johnny Copp segment of “The Sharp End” from Cedar Wright on Vimeo.

Interesting concept, but I don’t think I’d want this for my commuter bike. According to China.org.cn, it took this man  18 months to complete his crazy design.

[Via: Boing Boing]

Perched among the clouds that cling to the steep cliffs and sheer canyon faces of the Dadu River Canyon national geopark in Sichuan Province, China sits the Gulu Village school, a tiny building where students literally risk their lives to get an education.

To get to the Gulu Village school, students must trek for five hours up the steep Luoma Way, a treacherous mule path that winds along an overhanging cliff in 90-degree zigzag turns, the narrowest of which is only 16 inches wide. For these students, just one wrong step would mean tumbling down the towering cliff faces and into the canyon below.

The school has enough electricity to power a lightbulb and a cellphone thanks to a donated generator that runs off a waterfall in one of the mountain creeks. The building has five classrooms, one restroom and a basketball hoop that students don’t use for fear the ball will end up bouncing over one of the cliffs. The only full-time teacher at the school, 45-year old Shen Qijun, started working at the school when he was 18 years old.

[Via: Epoch Times, WAN]

I’ll go ahead and state the obvious: these guys are crazy. But they’re certainly fun to watch!

The clip is the trailer for a movie called Journey to the Center, and if you dig it then you should be sure to check out the full-length feature. Go to the official website to see some crazy pictures, read the athlete profiles, and even buy the DVD.

Thanks to Damien Tougas for tipping us off to this one!

A River’s Last Breath highlights the efforts of two organizations to protect China’s rivers. Filmed on the Yangtze river, this film tells the story of the conflict between cultural heritage and economic development in China’s Naxi minority region.

You can join Trip Jennings and Andy Maser of the Epicocity Project this Thursday, March 19, from 6-8pm at Lizard Lounge in Portland for some good stories, free beer and a sweet film. Want to know how cool these guys are? Listen to the podcast of Descent into Madness — the story of their intense exploratory kayaking trip in Papau New Guinea — to get an idea of the kind of crazy, cool stuff these guys do on a regular basis.

We reported earlier this week that China had banned foreigners from entering Tibet in preparation for the anniversary of the Dalai Lama’s exile. That ban reaches even to the mountaineering community, according to ExplorersWeb, who confirmed this week that the Tibetan side of Everest will be closed to climbers until April 1. And if any protesting gets out of control (like what happened during the 2008 Olympic Games torch rally) the mountain could be closed for the entire spring season.

What is an Everest-itchy climber to do? Summit another peak. Or download a podcast of Rest of Everest. Either way, you’ll probably spend a whole lot less than attacking the infamous Himalayan peak.

[Photo: ilkerender, Flickr]

In anticipation of the  50th anniversary of the Dalai Lama’s exile, China has closed Tibet to foreign travelers. Last year a peaceful protest by 200 monks quickly turned into violent riots, from which China claimed 22 deaths but human rights activists believe to be much higher.

Tourist agencies were contacted last Wednesday by Chinese officials and told to cancel all trips to Tibet for the near future. Foreigners are required to obtain a permit to travel into Tibet, but those permits are now few and far between. “It is very very difficult to get a permit at the moment. We will have to wait and see when they become available again,” a spokeswoman for Youth Travel Service told the Telegraph.

And it’s not just travelers that appear to be banned. Journalists are now finding their attempts to travel to Tibet for the month of March firmly denied. The Chinese government had previously stated that journalists would be welcome in Tibet in March in order to cover what it has deemed “Serf Liberation Day.” According to the Telegraph, the Chinese government says the exile of the Dalai Lama marks “the moment when Tibet entered the modern era, abolishing feudalism and leading to millions of slaves being freed.”

Human rights activists around the world view the exile otherwise. According to Free Tibet, “Tibet has been changed dramatically by the Chinese invasion. This has not only claimed many lives and cost its people the freedom to practice their culture, religion and language as they wish, but has also seen a calculated process put into place by which Tibetan culture is gradually and finally eradicated.”

[Photo: mckaysavage, Flickr]

Helloooo down there!

An international team of spelunkers has discovered a cave in China that stretches 3,100ft into the ground – the length of nearly three Empire State Buildings stacked on top of one another.

The chasm, which was discovered near the village of Tian Xing, might be deep enough to boggle the mind but it is not nearly a record-breaker. The world’s deepest cave is Krubera in Georgia, which is 6,822ft deep. For comparison, Mount Washington (the highest peak in the Northeastern United States) stands at 6,288ft.

Pictures from the team’s exploration of the cave can be found floating around the internet. Click here to see a few of them.

In other news of fathomless abysses, this cave, although spectacular, is not nearly as deep a hole as the one Republican Senator John McCain will have to crawl his way out of to pull off a win in the Presidential election today. Wacka Wacka Wacka. Knock on wood.

[Via: The Adventure Blog]

From Volume 2 Issue 2

Few people living today can remember America’s great and powerful rivers before they were dammed. But today, China’s Mekong River still flows freely even as the government begins construction on a series of dam projects. Kayaker Mick O’Shea teamed up with director Brian Eustis and set out to document his first descent of the Mekong from source to sea.

In the end, O’Shea made a film that’s a cultural exploration and a plea to save and protect the millions of people whose livelihoods depend on the river’s cyclical flooding. It’s the serenity of a fisherman balancing on the end of his boat and tossing his net in a graceful swirl over water blushing with sunrise. It’s the way O’Shea looks at Tibetan culture high in the mountains of China and how he attempts to explain and understand the Chinese people’s reverence of and connection to the river.

Mekong made me think of another movie I saw recently at the Telluride Mountainfilm Festival, The Good Fight. In the 1950s, the construction of dams that would have flooded the Grand Canyon seemed like a foregone conclusion. The Good Fight explores the contributions of environmental activists Martin Litton and David Brower in the fight that closed down those projects.

In Mekong, O’Shea leaves no doubt that the human and environmental impact of damming the Mekong will make the Colorado River projects seem tiny in comparison. As poignant as it is stunning, O’Shea and Eustis show us just how much we have to lose.

www.mekongdescentfoundation.org

When traveling abroad, it’s always helpful to know a few key phrases to help you out with the locals. But some languages are harder to learn than others. For us English speakers, mastering “hello” and “thank you” in the Germanic or Romance languages that are common in Europe is one thing, getting a good grasp on the same words in some of the Asian languages in another. That’s where the Me No Speak guides come in. As the company says “When language fails, a picture really is worth a thousand words.”

Me No Speak publishes passport-sized books complete with picture menus, illustrated lexicons and point-to-phrases. The project was born after a 13 month trip in Asia, and the company currently has three Me No Speak guides: China, Japan and Thailand. What an ingenious idea… pointing to a photo is SO much easier than trying to pronounce a foreign word with complicated phrasebook phonetic spellings. Even better, being compiled by fellow travelers, the guides are truly meant to be helpful, allowing you to deal with everything from transportation questions to bathroom emergencies; the menus even help out vegetarians and those with food allergies. I’m hoping there are many more guides to come.

It’s easy to be on a China kick with the Olympics going on. This video produced by VBS.tv takes a look at the Chinese city of Linfen which happens to be on the Top 20 Global List of polluted cities. Done in five parts, the Toxic Linfen series analyzes the country’s dependency on coal and the consequences of water and air pollution on Chinese individuals.

Part 1, 2 and 3 of the series are currently up on the VBS website and 4 and 5 will go up later next week. If you’re feeling up to stomaching some disturbing environmental images, you should also check out their Garbage Island videos on the Pacific Gyre.

With the Olympic Games starting this Friday, all eyes are on China. Actually, all eyes have been on China for quite some time now, especially in the environmental community. In a report published in May, China surpassed the US as the “world’s biggest polluter.”

That may make Americans feel good about themselves for a short second — finger pointing is after all easier than taking the blame — but in order to fully understand what China being the world’s biggest polluter actually means, we need to delve deeper into the issue and look at our own role in China’s greenhouse gas emissions. Why? Because developed countries consume many of the products that contribute to those emissions.

Economists now say that 1/3 of China’s carbon dioxide emissions can be attributed to the manufacturing of exported goods. That means that in 2005, 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted into the atmosphere just so that we in developed countries can continue consuming cheap goods.

Studies like these underline the importance of being a conscious consumer; choosing local and sustainable brands over the cheaper imported versions. True, it is difficult to live a 100% import-free lifestyle, but making an effort to support local businesses is a step in the right direction. This holds true for many goods, from surfboards to vegetables. And when you need a product that isn’t produced locally, the best is to seek out companies that are committed to running sustainable operations, and using sustainable materials, abroad.

It’s easy is to blame climate change on someone else, but what we should be doing is taking some personal responsibility. As the Olympic Games kick off and the question of pollution and air quality in Beijing remains an issue we should all be asking ourselves; just how much are we responsible for?

[Photo via Addictive Picasso, Flickr]

Although I am not sure if there actually is a true definition of what is “green” or not, Germany has managed to pick up the prize for being the greenest country in the world. In this case, the definition is based on energy use for 2007; Germany cut its use by more than any other country in the world in the last year. Use of oil, coal and gas in Germany fell by 5.6 percent compared with 2006, whereas the global consumption of energy rose by 2.4 percent, according to a report by BP.

Other European countries made their own environmental efforts, bringing the EU’s energy consumption as a whole down by 2.2 percent. And who are the leaders in energy consumption? Not a big surprise there, with the usual suspects: China, India and the US. With a 7.7 percent increase, China managed to account for half of global energy consumption growth. Let’s hope for better next year.