Field notes
The journal
What we've learned walking this city — written when there's something worth saying, not on a schedule.
Hunan3 min read
Zhangjiajie — The Pillars That Became Pandora
Zhangjiajie's quartz sandstone pillars are the real version of Avatar's floating mountains. It's also one of the most heavily engineered landscapes in China — lifts, cable cars and glass walkways included.
Hunan3 min read
Xiangxi — The Real Rural China
Western Hunan is one of the best places in China to see rural life that isn't being performed for anybody. Rice terraces, a market every few days, and Miao and Tujia villages up every valley.
Hunan2 min read
The Aizhai Bridge — Tunnel to Tunnel, 336 Metres Up
The Aizhai bridge spans 1,176 metres across a canyon in western Hunan with its deck 336 metres above the floor, and both ends disappear straight into tunnels. It cut a four-hour drive to under one.