WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE !

On April 9, TotalAdventure returned to China for the first time in 12 years.

Cathay Pacific is the best route from JFK New York to Hong Kong.Because it’s a Chinese airline it’s permitted to fly though Russian airspace, saving several hours of travel time and making it un necessary for West Coast layovers.

Economy Plus is a pleasant and not so costly way to travel. On this return flight I had no one next to me. Food is good and Chivas is available upon request.

Over the Danish Colony of Greenland. The flight left New York at 2 AM Wednesday April 8 and arrived in Hong Kong at 5 AM on April 9, a total of 15 hours and a 12 hour advance in time. Dark on either end, with about 5 hours of Arctic Midnight Sun in the middle.

Irkutsk near Lake Baikal. First time seeing Russia in 2 years, when I was on the Georgia-Russia border. TotalAdventure was in Irkustk in 2014.

From Chep Lap Kok ,it’s another 2.5 hours to Chongqing. Immigration is fast and efficient. TotalAdventure haas a 10 year unlimited entry visa.

DIdi is right on the Alipay App.

Alipay is used for everything. Payment, car, train, plane, All charged to your credit or debit card. Hardly any need for cash. I exchanged US 100 on arrival and only used it up buying trinkets at the airport when leaving.

Chinese Yuan, known as RMB is 6.77 to the US Dollar. Prices in China are significantly lower than the USA and Europe.

The 4 following stories cover TotalAdventure’s return to China. From Chongqing to Chengdu, to the mountains of Sichuan – East to Shanghai and back West to Enshi and then Chongqing to Hong Kong. BE SURE TO WATCH ALL THE VIDEOS !