The Plan

Harbin, China: 3 American teachers, inspired by opportunity and insanity, plan a road trip that will take them by motorcycle across China: from Harbin in the province of Heilongjiang, through the fertile Northeast and the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, along sections of the Silk Road, to Urumqi in the far West province of Xinjiang.

The People: Patrick Dunlavey, Niskayuna, New York. Taught at East College, now teaches at Harbin Engineering University.
David Andersen, Denver, Colorado. Currently a teacher at Jian Qiao middle school number 3.
Tristan Hanson, Sitka, Alaska. Came to Harbin to teach at East College.

The Route: Beginning from the Northeast capital of Harbin, we plan to ride West into Inner Mongolia to the small town of Ulanhot. Continuing Southwest in a slow arc towards the capital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, we will hit various landmarks including Xanadu. Skipping over to Baotou for a quick stop over, we next turn South toward Yinchuan in the Ningxia Autonomous Region. From Yinchuan, we head toward Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province, the first large city on the Yellow River. Taking some time in Lanzhou to see the surrounding area, including the Buddhist sculptures at Bingling Si, we then continue South towards Xining and the salty Qinghai Lake. Sling-shotting around the lake, we will drive North to Babao and back into Gansu province to Jiuquan, stopping to visit the Jiayuguan Fort. Turning West again, we will go through Yumen and Dunhuang past massive dunes, and cross the border into Xinjiang. Passing deserts and mountains, and visiting the cities of Kumul and Turpan, we will, after 4,000+ miles, end in Urumqi.

Logistics: Before leaving Harbin, there are many things to prepare: mapping the route, choosing motorcycles, brainstorming and obtaining necessary supplies, practicing with the bikes, and other smaller items. We will be aided in our preparations by Feiying motorcycles. After careful research and consideration, Feiying’s quality motorcycles and premium service made our choice easy.

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