Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Follow back roads away from traffic to experience authentic rural life and silences between towns along the river (08:20)
- Tip 2Use a vpn in regions with restricted connectivity to stay online and access banking and social media (12:58)
- Tip 3Try cheap, local meals for quick energy during long rides; noodle bowls around 0.7-1.0 USD can be surprisingly satisfying (17:13)
Josh Kohler and his father are on a cycling journey through Sichuan, leaving the big-city blitz of Chengdu behind to explore a quieter, rural China between Changdu and Lashan. The film contrasts the two worlds: the sprawling megacities with their skyward glass and traffic lights, and the intimate, slow-paced lanes where bamboo, rivers, and small farms shape daily life. They ride for weeks, swapping planes and bullet trains for bicycles, which allows them to actually see the places they pass through, from fading storefronts to hands-on work in villages. After a rest period in Changdu, they gear up for the next leg toward Southeast Asia, acknowledging humidity, unpredictable weather, and cultural as well as logistical challenges along the way. The landscape shifts from dense urban canyons to sleepy rural roads hugging rivers, with dramatic cliffs, forests, and waterfalls guiding their route. Notable moments include riding along the riverine bike paths past the Changdu Global Center, tum
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Josh Kohler and his father trade the speed of the city for slow, pedal-powered travel, discovering a China that many travelers miss. They start in Changdu, bike along river valleys and bamboo groves, and wrestle with heat and sudden tropical rain as they head south. The trip includes a stop to savor local life in villages, the awe of massive structures like the Changdu Global Center, and a shift in pace as they cross from urban to rural Sichuan and into a more Southeast Asian climate. Mascots, new tires, and a sense of companionship color the ride, while technology like Surf Shark VPN keeps them connected amid inconsistent networks. They sample good local food for little money, marvel at giant statues in Lashan, and reflect on how much of China remains unseen by Western eyes. The father-daughter-like bond with Rory the red panda mascot appears as a light touch in the narrative, underscoring the family feel of the expedition. Josh remarks on the energy of the countryside, the quiet, the boats along the river, and the sense that they are discovering a country that existed beyond the familiar skylines. The day ends with a rooftop view over a scenic gorge in a small town, a reminder that the journey is as much about people and places as it is about distance and speed.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What challenges do you face cycling through Sichuan?
- A: Weather, humidity, connectivity, and navigation in a new region can be tough, but slow travel reveals landscapes and people you’d miss otherwise.