AsiaTravel is thrilled to announce the 2012 AsiaTravel Explorer Grant awardees are… Zhang Shanghua AND team Bill Bleisch & Yan Lu! A split tie!
Mt. Gongga
Shanghua, a scientist based in Chengdu, Sichuan province, will explore the natural beauty and local cultures of Baiyu County in the Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture. Along his journey, he will spend time in The Chaqingsongduo Nature Reserve which houses two-thirds of the world’s population of white-lipped deer or Thorold’s deer, the second largest glacier in the prefecture, and the sources of numerous streams and rivers, and the peak of the mighty Mount Gongga.
Yaqing Monastery in winter
Bill Bleisch, Program Director of China Exploration & Research Society and Yan Lu of Fauna & Flora International will scout a route along the backbone of the Ailao Mountains through the Ailaoshan Nature Reserve. They are excited about their expedition as it could be the start of a trekking trail along the Ailao Shan ridge and beyond, continuing north to Dali where it would connect with existing trekking routes, creating a long “through-trail.”
Ailao Shan
After receiving fantastic applications from all over the world, the AsiaTravel Expert Panel, including AsiaTravel founder Zhang Mei had a tough job of selecting three finalists. From everyone at AsiaTravel, we thank everyone who submitted fantastic applications and we look forward to keeping you posted on our 2012 AsiaTravel Explorers exciting adventures…
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For more questions about the AsiaTravel Explorer Grant, please click here or send a question to explorer@wildchina.com
Pictures by Shanghua Zhang and Art Fund