Interview With Christoph Rehage – The Longest Way

The Longest Way – one year walk/beard grow time lapse.

Christoph Rehage travelled for a whole year by walking roughly 4500km, passed the desert of Gobi. During the year he walked from Beijing to Ürümqi soley on foot. His video is a great little insight into his travels, the places he went and the people he meet as well as some impressive beard growth.

TravMonkey was so intrigued by Christoph’s great video that we decided to ask him a few questions:

TravMonkey: What gave you the urge to want to walk across china?
Christoph: Its a long story. Basically I had walked from Paris to my home before in 2003. And i wanted more of that feeling I think.

TravMonkey: How did you manage to get around?
Christoph: I walked. Duh!

TravMonkey: What was the strangest situation you found yourself in?
Christoph: Lots of them. Maybe a big-ass sandstorm. Maybe a night in a power plant. Or a night at the townhall. Or getting lost in the mountains. Maybe being in love.

TravMonkey: How did you deal with the language barrier in China?
Christoph: I speak Chinese. Had lived in Beijing for 2 years before I started out on my journey.

TravMonkey: How did you find the Chinese people?
Christoph: I love them. Especially in the countryside. They are so hospitable and caring. Wonderful people everywhere!

TravMonkey: Are you glad to be home or do you have itchy feet?
Christoph: Both. What can I do?

TravMonkey: At the end of your video you suggest that the journey has changed you in some way? What would you say was the biggest change?
Christoph: I learned about what I want in life. I am still learning.

TravMonkey: Finally, did you consider keeping the beard?
Christoph: Oh no, I liked myself wearing that beard, kind of in a Forrest Gump way, but I didnt think it was very attractive. There are beard times, and there are non-beard times.

You can check out Christoph’s project on his website at The Longest Way where he has an extensive travel diary documneting his trip across China.

Also see:

• TravMonkey’s Weekly Roundup

• TravMonkey’s Weekly Roundup 02/08/09

• 8 Things To Hate About Hostels