Ryan Pyle talks about his eight years documenting China's remote and currently topical Xinjiang Region.  For centuries criminals, holy men, and traders tramped across this extraordinary region, and it was out of this tradition that the Silk Road was established.  Surrounded on three sides by some of the highest mountain ranges in the world, with the Gobi desert blocking the forth, what was Chinese Turkestan is one of the most isolated places on earth. 

David Eimer tells of what he discovered while travelling, living and writing in Burma over the past decade, in a portrait of this extraordinary unique and complex country.  He demonstrates how many of the problems that Burma faces are a direct result of its extremely turbulent history, and are the legacy of both colonial rule and the junta that ruled Burma 1962-2010.  

“For me personally, exploration isn’t about conquering nature, planting flags or leaving your mark. It’s about the opposite: opening yourself up and allowing the place to leave its mark on you…”

The Talk:

With his usual zest and humour, famous explorer, adventurer and television presenter Benedict Allen shares stories of his amazing expeditions around the globe and of his extraordinary life as an explorer of more than 30 years, richly illustrated with slides and film clips.