The following extracts may be of assistance to the adventurer or just good reading. We will change the advice on a regular basis.
In North China transport is by cart or pack animal. Travelling by cart will also usually be by contract. With pack animals on the more out of the way routes it may be necessary to hire them at so much per day per animal, formerly at about, say, the equivalent of two shillings per day per mule. The big mules of North China carry loads up to 200 Chinese pounds (one and a third English pounds) apiece; the small mules of Yunnan and the Tibetan border little more than half as much.
In some parts of High Asia the native caravan men leave the riding or pack saddles on the animals night and day throughout the journey. In this and other respects it is best to follow local custom.
Ula is the official forced transport system of Eastern Tibet, the villagers having to supply the traveller with animals from stage to stage. Ula is unpopular and liable to abuse, and the foreign traveller should see that the animals with which he is provided as ula are paid for at a fair rate.
Carts are more economical than pack animals and are easier to lead. In the dry sandy country of North China, Turkistan, and the Mongolian border long-distance carts travel a good 3 to 4 miles per hour. For speed and comfort of travel select carts in preference to pack animals where the country permits.
Camels are slow and camel caravan very monotonous: need camels only on a Gobi journey, a special line in Central Asian travel.
Yak only likely to be used to supplement mule or pony caravan in crossing high passes in Eastern Tibet or the Pamir region: unique in their ability to plough through deep snow and maintain foothold on bad ground at high altitudes.
The traveller himself will probably be riding: use the Mongolian pony in North China and Mongolia, the Kansu (Sining) pony in Eastern Tibet and the Kokonor, and the Karashar or other Turki breed of pony in Chinese Turkistan. Select a pony that can amble (pace, tsou in Chinese) and avoid one that has no gait between a slow walk and a trot. For a long journey a good ambler is invaluable; the Chinese, Mongols, Tibetans and Turkis are well aware of this. The keener the pony is to go, the less tiring he will be to ride. Use a foreign saddle; one with a high cantle is less tiring than the ordinary hunting or polo saddle. No one without the anatomy of a native of the Far East can be comfortable on a Chinese, Mongol, or Tibetan saddle. The best native saddle is one of the Andijani type.
If you suffer from headache or mountain sickness at high altitudes, do not dismount uphill, but ride your pony, mule, or yak up the pass;
For more Travel tips dealing with Campsites, vehicles, etc
The panel below appears on all pages. It will allow you to return to this Home Page, place an Order for map products, or leave an enquiry or message to The Map Shop staff.
Last updated 2 Oct 01
©2001 The Map Shop This applies to all graphics and text; except for those images where appropriate copyright ownership is acknowledged.