My research is focused on the experiences and practices of walking tourists on China’s Tea Horse Road. So truly, I am interested in your experiences, what this kind of leisure and tourism activity means to you, how you experience it in the particular case of the ATHR and what role the ATHR plays within your experience.

 

When I say I am interested in your experience of walking tourism on the ATHR that means that it is up to you in large parts what you will be talking to me about in regards to your experience. You may want to voice your perceptions on the importance of the place within your experience, in this case the ATHR or you may feel that long-distance walking offers you an escape from normal life and would like to share that experience. You may want to talk to me about the physical experience of walking the ATHR or you may find that for yourself the social aspects of walking in groups during your holiday is very meaningful. These are just a few examples and my research is aiming at hearing your individual voice to understand potential collective patterns as well as the role socio-cultural background may play within. In order to hear your voice, I would like to come on a walking holiday in the area of the ATHR with you.

 

My research is highly inductive, that means that while I am aware of some of the key dimensions of walking and hiking tourism, there may arise themes that I had not previously considered. The reason for this focus is that I believe that practices of leisure walking and hiking as a means of movement can open possibilities to experience and engage with tourism time-spaces like the ATHR that other methods of transport may not. 

 

The existing body of research on walking practices, though frequently acknowledging its connection to cultural frameworks has largely been based in research sites in the Western hemisphere though. The increased diversification of the Chinese tourism market, where walking tourism as part of nature-based outdoor tourism has become one of the future key growth areas both with respect to domestic as well as international tourists, provides a fascinating opportunity to expand this field of research beyond the Western context. And within that the ATHR as potentially China’s first official long-distance hiking trail as well as a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Status, located in one of China’s most diverse provinces with regards to culture, history and nature, presents itself as the ideal opportunity to address the questions I have identified.

 

If this research project sounds interesting, please refer to Where, When What? to find a quick overview on how participating in the project would work. I hope to see you soon on China’s Ancient Tea Horse Road.