Biography
ENLARGE
Katie's thirst for exploring the world began at a very early age and was heightened after leaving school, when she travelled across Asia and Australasia. Upon graduation from Durham University she lived and worked in southwest China as an outdoor education guide, where she swiftly became enchanted with the country. Here, she was able to extensively explore China, experiencing a cross-section of people, cultures and food (which she misses hugely when she's back in England!); from the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong, to the rural obscurity of Guizhou province and the colourful, craggy Yunnan.
Her favourite places so far are Zhongdian in Yunnan, for its spectacular natural beauty and the Great Wall at Jinshanling.
Katie never ceases to wonder at the amazing diversity of the country, and loves to revisit it as often as possible with Audley, to sample yet more bizarre and delicious local delicacies!
My Most Memorable Experience
When I first came out to China and was living in the southwest of the country, I spent some time hiking around the Longji region. One particularly foul day, when the torrential rain had managed to soak through my waterproofs and I couldn't see two metres in front of my feet, my attention was grabbed by a tiny, wizened old man waving furiously in my direction. Curiously, I squelched towards him, whereupon he beckoned me into a small wooden house perched perilously on the mountainside.
Stepping inside I was greeted by a wave of warmth from a roaring fire in the corner, and a mug of indeterminate liquid was pressed into my hands by a similarly wizened, grinning old woman. What ensued was one of the friendliest, most bizarre few hours of my life - my rescuer and his wife plied me full of homebrewed local rice wine and delicious chicken hotpot, whilst chatting away incessantly to me in a language I then knew nothing of. My clothes dried out, my stomach was sated and my energy restored, thanks to this wonderful couple.
When I stepped back outside it was still raining but the mists had shifted, revealing a spectacular panorama of rice terraces glistening hopefully as the afternoon sun tried to break through the clouds.
My Favourite Destination
Zhongdian is spectacularly beautiful, surrounded by snow covered mountains, mirror lakes, grassy plains full of yak, pigs, cows and goats. The old town is one of the most colourful places I have ever been to, with prayer flags, minority clothing and shops selling all manner of handicrafts. Possibly one of the best days in my memory was spent in Zhongdian. I woke early to begin a full day hike to the top of Shi Ka mountain, which led me through forests, past herds of yaks and wrinkled, grinning yak-herders laughing at my lack of fitness - until finally we reached the top and were rewarded by phenomenal views of snow-covered mountains that stretched all the way to Tibet! The yak hotpot we devoured that evening was the perfect end to such a fantastic day.
My Favourite Accommodation
What a hidden gem! Located in one of Beijing's old hutongs, this small, traditional courtyard style hotel is a surprisingly peaceful haven in the midst of one of the largest cities in the world. Beautifully decorated and with some of the friendliest staff I've ever come across, the Cote Cour is a pleasure to return to after a hectic day of exploring Beijing.