China through unrushed eyes

Trekking across continents

The idea of walking such a distance may sound bold, but Rene and Michel planned their journey with care and discipline. They divided the route into stages of three to four months, aiming to walk 40 to 50 kilometers a day. They crossed the Alps, traversed the Balkans, and endured long, isolated stretches of Central Asia. By the time they entered China, they had spent around 400 days on the road, walked nearly 8,000 kilometers, and worn through six pairs of shoes each.

Physically, adaptation came gradually."At the beginning, we walked maybe 20 or 30 kilometers a day," says Michel, 26."Now our bodies are used to it." On good days, they can walk up to 60 kilometers, though winter daylight hours and weather often limit their pace.

"Each step is very small," Rene says."You never suddenly feel far from home."Moving slowly, he explains, makes cultural transitions smoother. "You're not in shock when you arrive somewhere. You've seen it coming."

That slowness also opens doors. "If we had taken a plane or a train, we would never have come to Lanzhou," he says. "We would never have met all these people."

Along the way, especially in small towns and villages, they often encountered people who had never met foreigners before. Tea invitations, shared meals and help with directions became routine.

"People are really welcoming," says Michel. "Sometimes they even paid for our hotel or food."

The warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people became the most memorable part of their journey.

Before the trip, their understanding of China was limited. "Most of what we heard in France came from the news," he says. "Politics, the economy, big companies. We didn't really know about the people."

"The biggest discovery for us is the Chinese people," says Rene. "And we are very happy about that."