Explorer tackles North, South China

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lhyh2222

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Joined: Mar 13, 2007
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Posted: Mar 13, 2007 - 02:22 PM
Post subject: Explorer tackles North, South China

Johan Ernst Nilson, a 38-year-old Swedish explorer, has a daunting expedition resume. His footprints can be found on all seven continents. He went kayaking for six months all the way from Stockholm to Africa - the trip was recorded and made into a documentary by National Geographic.

He travels regularly to sub-Saharan Africa. He assists a scientific research team studying global warming in Antarctica. He has conquered the summits of Kilimanjaro in Kenya, Carstensz in New Guinea, Aconcabgua in Antarcitca, Mckinley in the United States and Elbrus in Russia. Oh, yes, and Mt Qomolangma(Everest).

Now Nilson is back in China, exploring the geography, climate and customs in Sanya in Hainan Province and in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province - southern and northern extremes.

This time it's not so arduous as climbing Mt Qomolangma in t¡bet. Nilson is accompanied by a film crew and two attractive models. He will "train" them to use modern exploring equipment and teach them survival techniques for extreme environments. He will guide them in a series of tasks to test their wilderness survival skills.

The professional film crew will follow and document his journey. Video clips will be uploaded onto Jongo.com, organizer of his trip and a new Internet portal that delivers China-related content.

"We want to promote China to the world, not only Shanghai or Beijing where everyone goes, but the other less-known parts of the country, such as central and western China, " says Wade Smith, chairman and CEO of Jongo.com.

True. With two million American travelers and six million Japanese every year, China has become a magnet. But many still know only major cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.

According to Nilson and Smith, there are many more interesting places for adventures.

The word "adventure" is often associated with high mountains, hot deserts or ferocious waves - all exciting and risky, like all of Nilson's expeditions. Very few people embody the notion better than Nilson.

Yet, Nilson himself has a rather different idea.

"We have a new idea about adventures - going somewhere you have never been to. It doesn't have to be risky mountains or deserts, it can be an old couple going to a small suburban village. It is not necessarily risky, but just as exciting," Nilson says.

The Website aims to motivate travelers to take adventures through original footage of various places. It also provides travel information through intelligently connected data. For example, one can click on an interesting photo or picture and immediately link to more including ticket-booking services.

"China is so large and diversified. Exploring China is like going to a candy shop with 2,000 different kinds to choose from. The choice is hard to make," Nilson says.

The video footage is not only intended to help people to choose where to go, but also display real obstacles and cultural shocks a foreign traveler would encounter.

As Nilson says, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with first step." In the near future, many travelers from overseas might follow Nilson's steps in China.

FROM NEWS.JONGO.COM