From Peking to Mandalay

A determined explorer sets out on a rare trek across the little‑known western frontiers of the Chinese empire, driven not by official orders but by a deep curiosity for lands few Europeans have ever entered. From the bustling streets of Peking he heads toward the remote valleys of Tibetan Ssuch’uan and the high plateaus of Yunnan, crossing the formidable Yalung River and navigating passes that rise higher than those of the famed Lhasa expedition. Along the way he records the customs of the diverse tribes that dwell there, offering fresh insights into peoples whose histories have long intrigued scholars of Asian origins.

Listeners will be carried through sweeping primeval forests, snow‑capped peaks, and rugged gorges that carve the continent’s ancient story into stone. The journey unfolds amid vivid descriptions of bustling market towns, solitary monasteries, and the quiet rhythms of mountain life, all illustrated with detailed maps and sketches. This vivid travelogue invites you to experience the raw beauty and cultural richness of a world that still feels untouched by modernity.