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I will create a collection of my "Pig Town" rides here.
"Pig Town", originally Ping Tou Liang, located in the northern part of China's Hebei province, got it's name from a sloppy pronunciation by the locals up there. In addition, the name is also related to the many pigs along the roads.
Location
N 41.278348°
E 115.908920°
alt 1640m
47km SSE of Guyuan (Pingdingbu), Hebei, P.R.China
Escaping Beijing's heat and haze during summer, a trip to the North is always a good, if not the only, option.
After leaving BJ city and it's outskirts, traffic reduces to almost nothing and great views open up.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0805151534.jpg
Northern Beijing
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0805154328.jpg
Beijing into Hebei
After we crossed into Hebei, heavy rain et in, lasting for about 30 minutes.
With the rain behind, road construction ahead (near Fengning, Hebei)
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0805162317.jpg
Road under construction
A detour was on the schedule, together with all local traffic.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0805163223.jpg
Detour - was actually fun
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0805170458.jpg
Local traffic
Some nice scenery again after the construction site.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0805175711.jpg
First pass North of Fengning
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0805180130.jpg
G111, km231
Short before we reached Weichang (Hebei), rain and darkness set in.
On the last kilometers to Weichang we faced terrible riding conditions.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0805221036.jpg
The hotel owner insisted on parking the bikes in the lobby.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0806084504.jpg
Drying gear
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Leaving the hotel the next morning
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0806121257.jpg
Proceeding into Inner Mongolia - great scenic views
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0806124236.jpg
Juice is squeezed out of some herbs.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0806125932.jpg
Flower in the grassland
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0806153057.jpg
Building new roads goes together with heavy pollution.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0806171050.jpg
I think this must be the place where they took the shot for one the famous Windows background pictures.
Third day - It was back to Beijing. Some long 350 kms ahead
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0807080621.jpg
Approaching Pig Town
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0807081404.jpg
Grassland view
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0807084248.jpg
Abandoned village
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0807085004.jpg
Path in Northern Hebei
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0807090153.jpg
Sandy ruts and traffic
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0807122707.jpg
Discussing options with a local
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0807133906.jpg
Pig Town pass
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0807152215.jpg
Crew at lunch
Maps with track (partially)
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...Mongolia_1.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...Mongolia_2.jpg
All pictures here
Nice pics Andy. Been there a few times myself.
Regds,
Jim
CB,
Those are some nice pics! I appreciate seeing images of Mongolia as I've always wanted to ride there.
Riding in grasslands is lots of fun and what a treat for the eyes!
Who were the buddies in your riding group?
CC
Herbert from Germany, who was in charge of BMW moto China (2002-2005) with wife Sohyun from Korea and Claudio from Italy. Claudio runs 2 Italian restaurnts in BJ and has plans to start (or started already) one in Chengdu.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrazyCarl
Andy
While the August trip was a great opportunity to escape BJ's summer heat, the October trip was actually a crazy idea. At mild temperatures around + 20 C in the city, we went out to camp near Pig Town for one night after we successfully convinced our wifes to join us. Temperatures close to freezing and a stiff breeze were awaiting us there.
Nice cruising in BJ's autumn mood
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1015111745.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1015130107.jpg
Bridge under construction ...
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1015112212.jpg
Some remains of the great wall in Hebei
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1015132322.jpg
Getting closer to the smaller "roads"
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1015144002.jpg
Harvest traffic
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1015145421.jpg
Getting tougher
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1015151602.jpg
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A campsite was spotted in the middle of nowhere and tents set up when some locals showed up. They suddenly appeared from nowhere - as quite usual in China.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1015164736.jpg
Short before sunset
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1015171412.jpg
Five nationalities
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1015174323.jpg
BBQ getting ready
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1015182306.jpg
It was too cold to stay outside, so we were all in our sleeping bags by 8 pm.
Leaving back to BJ the next morning
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1016092547.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1016093524.jpg
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A small temple sitting on top of a rock
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1016111214.jpg
Short break at a small creek - temperatures back to very moderate
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1016121909.jpg
The last section in Hebei
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1016132139.jpg
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http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1016133029.jpg
Back on Northern BJ roads
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1016141102.jpg
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http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...1016151429.jpg
All pictures
Those look like some genuinely good times man! I'm so ignorant of the riding in and around Beijing that I usually just assume it's loaded with traffic but that seems to not be the case as it's full of beautiful countryside and interesting roads.
Cold weather I think is nice for riding as long as you've got the right gear....usually cold air brings clear skies and radiant warming. Many of the pics look like something I would expect to see in the North East US; minus the temples on rocks. No matter how many times I see things like that I still wonder why and how they did it?
Nice that you can camp out there too. One benefit of larger bikes is you can take two people and still pack camping gear. I love how people just pop out of nowhere in China. You could see nobody for 100kms of riding and stop somewhere. Within 10 minutes some curious on-lookers are bound to show up...usually excellent folks too.
When were these trips? Also, do you happen to remember the name of Caludio's restaurant?
CC
Riding around Beijing, say from Northeast to Southwest, is really fine once you left the city and the suburbs behind. About 70kms from downtown is where the nice mountain roads start and traffic reduces to a minimum. You find perfectly paved roads, gravel passes and also good off-road opportunities, just 70 km as the crow flies from Tiananmen.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrazyCarl
Those people are really friendly, offering tea, food, ... without being asked and without asking for or even accepting something - almost embarrassing sometimes.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrazyCarl
The trips were in August and October 2005, but there were 2 more, one in 2006 and the last one 2007, which I'll cover in part 3 and 4.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrazyCarl
Claudio's Restaurant is named Peter Pan: Chengdu Xiao Tian Xi Jie No.8, Tel. 028 85577058. www.peterpan.net.cn
Andy
hi Andy,
they are awesome riding areas, thanks for posting them
it is easily some of the best riding I have ever done, thanks for being the Guide !
I recoginize yourself & Claudio,
I see further up, on this link, you mention the other rider is Herbert P
all the best
TIM L
Tim, you are a major actor in part 4 of this story.
Andy
Passing the Great Wall at Huanghuacheng
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728111506.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728130003.jpg
Idyllic countriside
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728130742.jpg
Corn Wherever you look
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728132619.jpg
Hebei mountain road
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728134014.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728134033.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728135606.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728141649.jpg
Ooops! I smelled the brakes!
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728162452.jpg
Hebei Pass
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728162720.jpg
Revolutionary statue
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728163207.jpg
Surrounded by locals
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728164457.jpg
Datan
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728170924.jpg
The yurt hotel in Guyuan. Jetski, ultralight, horse riding, ATV, ...
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728181512.jpg
Sunset on a hill nearby the lake
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728181322.jpg
Some nice lamb BBQ
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728205543.jpg
We, as the only foreigners present at that time, had the great honor to light the fire, accompanying the ceremonies.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728210426.jpg
Quite good show in that remote tourist place.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728210712.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0728213830.jpg
Back to riding
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0729083515.jpg
Some really picturesque villages in the middle of nowhere.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0729090052.jpg
Good off-road fun in Northern Hebei.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0729090124.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0729100517.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0729100709.jpg
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All pictures
Hell yeah guys! Nice pics and looks like a proper good time hanging with the locals, getting wet and sinking your tires into a little mud n' rocks.
Have you guys though about getting your trips published or making a video about them?
CC
I've read a lot of China reports but never about the Beijing and Hebei areas. Thanks for taking me along for the ride. :thumbsup:
Lots of Beemers. I was under the impression that these would not be importable. :confused1: Are they sold in China? I can just imagine the import tariff! :rolleyes1:
Actually never thought of publishing or videotaping the trips but it's a good idea. Try to do that next time.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrazyCarl
Andy
Yes, Beemers are sold in China, but as you say, import tariffs are high and many cities ban all bikes. It's sometimes still a hassle to get a big bike registered, but it can be done.Quote:
Originally Posted by Indochine
There are around 100 legal Beemers on the streets and 2nd hand market is coming up slowly, while prices for used bikes are still around the same as for a new one in Europe.
Andy
This was the 4th, and so far the last Pigtown ride. Since we noticed significant changes on route, dirt roads are being replaced by paved ones and construction for a resort in Pigtown started, we are going to search for new places in the area, which there are a lot.
Day 1 - Lunch Time
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0525113024.jpg
Up the mountain
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0525130549.jpg
Wildlife
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0525132620.jpg
More wildlife
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0525153244.jpg
Between Fengning and Weichang
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0525153534.jpg
First night campsite
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0526051441.jpg
On the road again on the second day
Hole in the mountain
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0526074626.jpg
The road through the national park "The emporer's Hunting Ground" near Weichang.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0526091942.jpg
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http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0526104652.jpg
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Hebei - Inner Mongolia Border
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0526121546.jpg
On the way to our 2nd nightstop
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0526155415.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0526160344.jpg
2nd night campsite at one of the many water reservoirs in this area.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0526165345.jpg
Together with our new friends, the people who are looking after the reservoir's dam and its surroundings.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0526184458.jpg
Day 3 - Sunrise over the lake
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527061253.jpg
Once again on the way to Pigtown
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527081838.jpg
That's one reason we call it Pigtown
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527082115.jpg
Chasing pigs
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527082301.jpg
This young bull gives us s..t about our presence
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527083406.jpg
Nice hills in the grasslands ...
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527084844.jpg
... with some more cows
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527085828.jpg
One bike felt a little tired
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527091733.jpg
Another one was brought deep into the sand.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527093444.jpg
Picking up some food and drinks a the local supermarket
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527100207.jpg
Some scenic views after we came across the Pigtown pass
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527121637.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527122947.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...0527123144.jpg
And finally the map
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...an-Pigtown.jpg
All pics
this Morning we talked about this Rides and you showed me the Routes on Google Earth. With this Background Informations I enjoied the Reports even more.
Keep on Rolling Andy!
Really great photos! Makes me wish I was there too!
really fantastic pitcures, and I loved the video. Thank you.