Stage 29: On four and two wheels to the Roof of the World - XWORLD tour reaches Tibet
The 29th offroad adventure in the XWORLD tour led its eight participants from Chengdu in China to Lhasa in Tibet – they were the first foreign travellers permitted to enter Tibet by road in almost two years. Among their number was professional race cyclist Hanka Kupfernagel, who incorporated the magnificent scenery into her training regime time and time again, and was often cycling kilometres in advance of the Land Cruiser column. An expedition member reports.
- 06.04.2009: Chengdu - panda breeding centre
- 06.04.2009: Chengdu - panda breeding centre
- 06.04.2009: Chengdu - panda breeding centre
- 06.04.2009: Chengdu - panda breeding centre
- 07.04.2009: Emei-Shan - the sacred mountain
- 07.04.2009: Emei-Shan inhabitant
- 08.04.2009: XWORLD - draws a crowd
- 08.04.2009: Encounters with the natives
- 08.04.2009: The day off for XWORLD
- 08.04.2009: Street views
- 08.04.2009: Street views (2)
- 09.04.2009: Terrace farming
- 09.04.2009: Driving on real roads
- 09.04.2009: The XWORLD convoy takes a break
- 09.04.2009: Hanka Kupfernagel - cycling professional explores China with XWORLD
- 09.04.2009: Hanka Kupfernagel - cycling professional combines XWORLD with training
- 10.04.2009: The Old City of Lijiang
- 10.04.2009: The Old City of Lijiang (2)
- 10.04.2009: Encounters in Lijiang
- 10.04.2009: Pressure chamber tests in Lijiang
- 10.04.2009: Pressure chamber tests in Lijiang (2)
- 11.04.2009: Impressions on the road to Tibet
- 11.04.2009: Impressions on the road to Tibet (2)
- 11.04.2009: Tibetan payer flags
- 11.04.2009: Impressions on the road to Tibet (3)
- 11.04.2009: Hanka Kupfernagel: Altitude training in Tibet
- 11.04.2009: XWORLD: Narrow tracks on the way to Tibet
- 12.04.2009: Makham - Rawu: Making progress at altitude, from 4800 to 5400 m
- 12.04.2009: Makham - Rawu: Making progress at altitude, from 4800 to 5400 m (2)
- 12.04.2009: Makham - Rawu: Tibetan payer flags
- 12.04.2009: Makham - Rawu: Making progress at altitude, from 4800 to 5400 m (3)
- 12.04.2009: Makham - Rawu: Damaged tyres repaired
- 12.04.2009: Makham - Rawu: Blizzard at 4800 m
- 12.04.2009: Makham - Rawu: 5000 m above sea level
- 12.04.2009: Makham - Rawu: Making progress at altitude, from 4800 to 5400 m (4)
- 13.04.2009: Rawu - Nyingchi: Westward through Tibet
- 13.04.2009: Rawu - Nyingchi: Westward through Tibet (2)
- 13.04.2009: Rawu - Nyingchi: Tibet: Mountains, mountains and more mountains
- 13.04.2009: Rawu - Nyingchi: Free passage
- 13.04.2009: Rawu - Nyingchi: Tibetan payer flags
- 13.04.2009: Rawu - Nyingchi: Tibetan payer flags
- 14.04.2009: Nyingchi - Lhasa: On the road to the roof of the world
- 14.04.2009: Nyingchi - Lhasa: Encounters on the road
- 14.04.2009: Nyingchi - Lhasa: Encounters on the road (2)
- 14.04.2009: Nyingchi - Lhasa: Lhasa - journey's end
- 14.04.2009: Nyingchi - Lhasa: Impressions of Lhasa
- 14.04.2009: Nyingchi - Lhasa: The Jokhang Temple in Lhasa
- 14.04.2009: Nyingchi - Lhasa: Impressions of Lhasa (2)
- 14.04.2009: Nyingchi - Lhasa: Impressions of Lhasa (3)
- 14.04.2009: Nyingchi - Lhasa: The Jokhang Temple in Lhasa (2)
- 14.04.2009: Nyingchi - Lhasa: Impressions of Lhasa (4)
- 14.04.2009: Nyingchi - Lhasa: The Potala Palace
- 15.04.2009: Lhasa: The Potala Palace
- 15.04.2009: Lhasa: The Potala Palace (2)
