China to Chitral

Embark on a thrilling adventure through the pages of 'China to Chitral' by H.W. Tilman. This captivating travel memoir serves as a vivid chronicle of Tilman's epic 1951 journey across remote landscapes and cultures, from Central China to the rugged terrains of Pakistan. With detailed descriptions of the majestic Sinkiang region, the daunting Gobi and Takla Makan deserts, and the awe-inspiring Karakoram mountains, this paperback edition invites readers to explore territories where few have dared to tread. Experience the timeless allure of ancient civilizations like the Kirghiz and Kazak as they maintain traditions from the era of Genghis Khan. Tilman’s laconic humor and rich narratives paint a picture of not just the stunning geography around him, but also his challenges – from hilariously unsuccessful mountain climbing attempts to charming encounters with local tribes. This book is not just travel literature; it’s a passport to experience the extraordinary with a master storyteller. Whether you're an avid traveler or a lover of travel literature, 'China to Chitral' is an essential addition to your collection. Discover the untold stories and breathtaking vistas of a world that is fast disappearing, all conveyed in Tilman's renowned witty style. Perfect for adventurers, historians, and readers seeking inspiration, this journey over snow-capped peaks and through vibrant cultures showcases the essence of exploration. Get your copy today and dive into a narrative that blends adventure with the serene beauty of nature and humanity.

Author: H. W. Tilman Publisher: Lodestar Books
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 156 x 216 mm
Pages: 184
Publication Date: 26-01-2017

Upon this trackless waste of snow, cut by a shrewd wind, they sat down and wept. In China to Chitral H.W. ‘Bill’ Tilman completes one of his great post-war journeys. He travels from Central China, crossing Sinkiang, the Gobi and Takla Makan deserts, before escaping to a crumbling British Empire with a crossing of the Karakoram to the new nation of Pakistan. In 1951 there still persisted a legend that a vast mountain, higher than Everest, was to be found in the region, a good enough reason it seems for Tilman to traverse the land, ‘a land shut in on three sides by vast snow ranges whose glacial streams nourish the oases and upon whose slopes the yaks and camels graze side by side; where in their felt yurts the Kirghiz and Kazak live much as they did in the days of Genghis Khan, except now they no longer take a hand in the devastation of Europe’. Widely regarded as some of Tilman’s finest travel writing, China to Chitral is full of understatement and laconic humour, with descriptions of disastrous attempts on unclimbed mountains with Shipton, including Bogdo Ola—an extension of the mighty Tien Shan mountains—and the Chakar Aghil group near Kashgar on the old silk road. His command of the Chinese language—five words, all referring to food—proves less than helpful in his quest to find a decent meal: ‘fortunately, in China there are no ridiculous hygienic regulations on the sale of food’. Tilman also has several unnerving encounters with less-than-friendly tribesmen. Tilman starts proper in Lanchow where he describes with some regret that he is less a traveller and more a passenger on this great traverse of the central basin and rim of mountain ranges at Asia’s heart. But Tilman is one of our greatest ever travel writers, and we become a passenger to his adventurers.