Cycling Across China

In 1891, two intrepid recent university graduates set out to travel across Europe and Asia to Peking on bicycles. After an epic 15,000 mile journey the pair reached the imperial capital of Peking, but first they had to cross the great Gobi desert.  This article documents in photographs the people and sites that they encountered along the way; and depicts a China that has passed into history.

The Gobi ( whose name means “Sandy Desert”) presented a 400 mile obstacle of undulating sand dunes between the two cyclists and the next objective of their amazing trip: the Great Wall of China. Their plan was to cross the desert on bikes and then penetrate into the heart of China by crossing through the Great Wall of China.

The pictures that follow document their amazing journey. Click on the pictures for more text, taken directly from the explorers’ account of the journey.

Bicycle Tracks in the Sand of the Gobi Desert

Surveying an unfortunate traveler who did not survive the desert.

Accomodations and places to get supplies were few and far between in the wilds of the Gobi desert. There were a few strategically placed stations where caravans could stop and rest, but these offered only rudimentary hospitality and were infested with vermin such as lice and fleas, which tormented the travelers.

A Station in the Desert, China. Such stations were placed about a day's journey from each other so that travelers could make their way through the desert in stages.

Not all of the Gobi Desert was sandy. Some areas were rocky, and presented obstacles to the bicycles.

The wasteland of the Gobi Desert. The physical exertion, lack of proper food, and mental anxiety of being alone in this vast wilderness began to take its toll on the adventurous pair.

A Road Sign in the Desert

Weak with hunger and exhaustion the duo finally crossed the desert and reached the outer edge of the Great Wall of China. The last phase of their trip would take them to Peking.

To Be Continued.