What is it like to cycle across Xinjiang, China’s vast and often misunderstood western region? In this episode, we sit down with Jerry Grey, a 67-year-old long-term China resident and avid cyclist who has biked thousands of kilometres across the country.
He shares incredible stories from his 5,000km journey from Macau to the Kazakhstan border, detailing harsh deserts, majestic mountains, and the wonderful hospitality he encountered. We debunk common Western media myths, discuss the real situation on the ground with regard to security and daily life, and get a firsthand account of Xinjiang’s breathtaking diversity and development.
If you have ever been curious about travel in China beyond the headlines, this is a must-watch interview.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to Jerry & His 20+ Years in China
01:50 – How a 50-Year-Old Started Epic Cycling Trips
03:15 – The First Massive Ride: Macau to Kazakhstan Border
05:45 – The Real Reason He Couldn’t Bike to Tibet
07:30 – First Impressions of Xinjiang: Debunking the “No-Go Zone” Myth
09:45 – Surviving the Taklamakan Desert: 45°C Heat & Camping Under Bridges
13:10 – Interactions with Police & Security: A Former Cop’s Perspective
17:40 – The Story of Camping Next to a “Prison Camp”
19:20 – The Hospitality of the Local People
21:30 – Xinjiang’s Mind-Blowing Geographic & Cultural Diversity
25:00 – The Food: A Meat Lover’s Paradise (But Bring Your Own Veggies!)
28:45 – Development & Tourism: New Hotels, Airports, and 300 Million Visitors
32:10 – The BBC Narrative vs. On-The-Ground Reality
35:50 – The Bilingual Generation: Noticing the Language Shift
39:30 – Practical Travel Tips for Xinjiang
41:20 – Jerry’s Next Big Cycling Adventure: Conquering Qinghai
43:50 – Bizarre Story: Being the Only Foreigner on a Tibetan Influencer Trip
47:30 – How to Get Around China Easily (App Recommendations)
49:00 – How to Follow Jerry’s Adventures
50:30 – Wrap-Up
inks & Where to Find Jerry:
YouTube: Jerry’s Take on China
Twitter/X: @JerrysTakeonChina
Email: Available in the bio of his social media channels.
Hashtags:
#Xinjiang #ChinaTravel #CyclingChina #SilkRoad #TravelVlog #Uyghur #DebunkingMyths #AdventureTravel #China #XinjiangFacts