Journey of a lifetime (2)

Before 2006, we did do some private car rallies, but that year we decided to do it on a larger scale because it was the 20th anniversary of Shanghai and Hamburg becoming sister cities.

The reaction from rally participants and media covering the event was so positive that we decided to make it an annual thing.

Are there any other reasons you have chosen Shanghai and Hamburg as the departure and arrival cities for the New Silk Road rally?

The ancient Silk Road stretched from Xi'an (then known as Chang'an) to Rome and thrived during the apex of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) in the second half of the seventh century and first half of the eighth century.

At that time, Xi'an was the cosmopolitan capital of China and the center of Eastern civilization. Rome was its counterpart in the West.

Today, the importance of trade along the Silk Road remains but the biggest players have changed. Shanghai and Hamburg are the most important port cities and commercial hubs in their respective countries, which enjoy an enduring friendship and robust commercial ties.

In that sense, the two cities are good representatives of the modern East and West.

How are participants for the rallies selected? Do they have to meet any special requirements?

There is no formal selection process. People learn about the rallies mainly by word-of-mouth. They do need to have a sense of adventure, curiosity about the world and a durable car in proper working condition. Long-distance driving experience helps.

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