Gary has been tramping the hills and valleys of Yunnan since 1990 and returning to the land ‘South of the Clouds’ on a regular basis ever since. In so doing he has thus personally witnessed Yunnan’s remarkable transformation from an ‘isolated backwater’ to a ‘dynamic crossroads’. In recent years Gary has focused his research on the rediscovery of Yunnan’s rich tea culture. To this end he has personally explored the cultural legacy of the ‘Ancient Tea Horse Road’ and published numerous essays on the results. He is very familiar with Yunnan’s complex history and multi-ethnic traditions. As an established scholar and teacher of contemporary Chinese culture and society Gary is well-equipped to share many fascinating insights with guests.
