This is the latest update from Giorgio Vanni, an Italian pensioner who’s travelling from his hometown of Varese to see his daughter in Perth... all without flying!

Vanni recently wrapped up his visit to China and headed to his next destination: Vietnam.

“I arrived in Guilin after a nine-hour train trip and travelled up the river Li in a boat towards Yangshuo.

“Travelling up the valley, I admired the farming and fishing villages along the way.

“I was particularly fascinated by the limestone formations surrounding the river, which were shaped like panettone.”

Vanni said he was disappointed with his experience of the region of Yangshuo because it was full of tourists and more expensive than the major cities.

“Even the Chinese go crazy for this place,” he added.

“It seems that parallel to the consumerism that permeates the country, there’s a Disneyland-type approach to tourism.”

Vanni hired an electric scooter to travel along the shore of the river Li and explore the small villages which pepper the countryside.

“I hope that this mode of transport also spreads to us, because it’s cheaper and better for the environment,” he said.

Once he’d seen Yangshuo, Vanni took a train to the city of Dali, in Yunnan.

The province of Yunnan is home to around half of China’s ethnic minorities and shares borders with Tibet to the north and Myanmar to the west.

Unfortunately, Dali was also full of souvenir shops and renovated buildings.

“I was starting to regret having planned a four-day stay, but my faith was restored when I visited the Three Pagodas of the Chongsheng Temple,” Vanni said.

He added that the complex of temples was impressive with its spiritual atmosphere.

Erhai Lake – China’s seventh-largest lake – was also enchanting, along with the markets of the Bai people who inhabit the area.

Having left Dali, Vanni headed north to Lijiang, the most beautiful city in Yunnan which thrives on tourism but still has isolated and tranquil spots.

Vanni then travelled half an hour to visit the Old Town of Shuhe, where he was lucky enough to cross paths with an ethnic group that lives on the Tibetan border and was singing and dancing in a captivating display of culture.

“When it comes to the people I’ve met during this trip, I must say I’ve been surprised by the youth who study and prepare themselves with optimism for the future,” Vanni said.

“They’re positive, conscious and proud of the path paved by their nation, and don’t exaggerate with nationalism but rather take a healthy approach to Confucianism: a respect for culture and work ethic.

“They’re hopeful for a future with more freedom and worried about the rising cost of living, especially housing.

“I seemed to have sensed the spirit of post-war Italy as described by my parents: enthusiasm, determination and a desire to conquer the world that raised the nation.”

The highlight of Vanni’s visit to Yunnan was trekking the Tiger Leaping Gorge.

The original hike takes at least two days but Vanni didn’t have that kind of time so he organised a one-day version.

“The trek was amazing – second best only to Mount Everest – and there’s no way I could’ve missed it,” he said.

The gorge measures 16 kilometres and has a depth of 3900 metres, making it one of the deepest gorges in the world.

The trek is a steep ascent which continues onto a path cut into the rock; you must proceed with caution because the trail is narrow and slippery, with the occasional waterfall.

“Whoever carved out that trail did an incredible job,” Vanni said.

Following his descent in the afternoon, Vanni boarded a bus to Lijang, where he rested at a guesthouse with a cup of hot tea and dumplings with yak cheese and honey.

He then spent the night in the capital of Kunming before boarding his last Chinese train to cross the border to Vietnam.

Destination: Hanoi.

“I’ve heard that it’s a little problematic at the border,” he said.

“Oh well, the pleasure of travelling increases one’s tolerance!”

During his trip, the Italian explorer is raising funds for the non-profit organisation SOS Children’s Villages.

To find out more or donate, visit the Facebook page.