The footing of Dragon Expeditions are its two proprieters- Matt Ryan and Lu Xuen [Apple]. Matt is a UK transplant into China, and has lived in China for over five years. Even speaks Mandarin quite well. He is expert Caver, exploring and mapping caves in China, including many government sponsored expeditions. In addition to caving, he is expert ice climber, technical climber and outdoorsman. But, more importantly his wife Lu Xuen [Apple] is one of the best, if not the best female ice climber, and mountain guide in all of China. She has built quite a reputation over her short 25 year age. Even as I write this reference the first week of November, I have emailed Matt and he has responded with note: " I am in city working on website, Apple is out exploring new mountain range on Tibet border, we hope to break open this territory to guests next year in 2008". You can see her true love is being out there... one day at home in city is too much.

Dragon Expeditions works from Retail Outdoor shop in Chengdu which can provide all gear necessary. Click Here. This gives them a physical presence, and not just a virtual internet broker trying to obtain your tourist business- only to re-allocate the services to another operation. Dragon Expeditions is the real deal. They have capabilities to coordinate gear, transportation, and logistics for both small and large groups in very professiona manner.

Probably bigger than their experience and expertise- is their integrity, and their down to Earth real person approach to service and dealing with customers. After you spend a week with people, in close quarters like the jeep for over 20 hours, or camping in same hut... you get to know their true being. Are they honest by nature? Are they lazy or energetic? Are they positive person, or always negative? These positive virtues epitomize Matt, Apple, and their committed cook/guide Ling Dong. We can only say very positve things about our week spent with them!

One other associate to mention is Roland Zeidler of Western Sichuan Tours who's company often partners with Dragon Expeditions. We originally found Roland's website, and Roland did the preliminary planning of the trip, but was already booked to trek with others during our time frame. Thus, we ended up with Matt and Apple. Roland is tranplanted German living in China for over 7 years.

Both organizations, and all persons Matt, Apple, and Roland we trust, had great experience with, and hope to trek again in 2008 with. Forr personal reference contact [Tom Patton] gtpatton@gmail.com or business mobile number on East Coast of USA is 401-741-9548

Dragon Expeditions
A3-201 Roma Plaza
Gaoshengqiao Donglu
Chengdu, 610041 China

matt@dragonexpeditions.com
Matt Ryan- mobile number 86- 136 2803 0425
Dragon Expeditions Office Tel: 86- 028 8510 9200 [delete first zero if outside of China]
website under construction: www.dragonexpeditions.com

Western Sichuan Tours
www.wstourix.com
Rolan Zeidler
86- 28 6640 6003
mobile number 86 139800 35421

Other Web Pages:
Yulongxi Village & Yulongxi Pass
Gongga- Main Page
See Detailed Gongga Shan itinerary
Gongga-Public Images & Maps
Why hire a guide, Guide or no Guide?
Minya Konka Buddhist Monastery