Author Archives: JeffFuchs

About JeffFuchs

Having lived for a decade in Yunnan, Fuchs’ work has centred on indigenous mountain cultures, oral histories along with an obsessive interest in tea. Fuchs is the author of 'The Ancient Tea Horse Road' (Viking-Penguin) and he was the subject of 'The Tea Explorer' documentary based on his exploration of the Tea Horse Road. His photos and stories have appeared on three continents in publications such as Kyoto Journal, TRVL, and Outpost Magazine, as well as The Spanish Expedition Society, The Earth, Silkroad Foundation, The China Post Newspaper, The Toronto Star, The South China Morning Post, and UNESCO amongst others. Various pieces of his work are part of private collections in Europe, North America, and Asia. Fuchs served as Asian Editor at Large for five years at award-winning Outpost magazine. Jeff has worked with schools and universities, giving talks on both the importance of oral traditions, tea and mountain cultures. His recently released book ‘The Ancient Tea Horse Road’ (Penguin-Viking Publishers) details his 8-month groundbreaking journey traveling and chronicling one of the world’s great trade routes, The Tea Horse Road. Fuchs is the first westerner to have completed the entire route stretching almost six thousand kilometers through the Himalayas a dozen cultures. Fuchs partnered with Wild China to create a journey along the Tea Horse Road which National Geographic Traveler called one of the "50 Trips of a Lifetime". He is co-founder of Akahiao Nature Institute on the island of Hawai'i along with his wife, Julie Rogers.

Tea Horse Road and the Women’s Touch

As a New Year came in I thought back to those whose ‘new’ year’s have not yet come. I thought back to three generations of women who hosted our team on a barren portion of the Tea Horse Road years … Continue reading

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Tea Interview with Tealet and Jeff Fuchs…with Tea

Tealet’s fearless leader Elyse Petersen sits down for an interview with yours truly about tea, where I get to gently rant a bit about Puerh tea, people, and why tea and people cannot be separated. Enjoyed with a sip of … Continue reading

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Two Worlds – The Himalayas and the South Pacific – and Global Warming

So much of the time I’ve had here with the East West Center in Honolulu as an invited speaker has been time spent showing, seeing, and being reminded of the very similar plights that people share, while living in very … Continue reading

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Himalayas Change – A Nomad’s Words About Mountains

A’bing of Ganzi at 4,700 meters in a tent speaking of life in the heights. “Winter no longer knows when it wants to come. It no longer comes with white snow. Now it is mainly dry. Maybe it is time … Continue reading

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JalamTeas Tea Review (a good one) of our Nannuo Shan Puerh

Our Jalamteas’ Nannuo Shan unfermented Puerh from one of the areas I hand source, finds a fan and gets a great review from witty tea blog “Steep Stories”. With our latest JalamTeas’ Nannuo Shan we touch upon a neutral and … Continue reading

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Himalayas’ Words – The Wolf aka, ‘The Old Master’

“Wolves are what we (nomads) fear most. They know us well and though I fear them, they are important for the land. They know how to wait and they know when to strike. My mother used to call them the … Continue reading

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Interview with Wild China about Trade Routes

  The Enduring Obsession and Importance of the Himalayan Trade Routes here

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The Himalayas’ Guardian of the Pass

The face of Lhamo, 23, of Ala Dhotok (Stone Roof) at over 5,000 metres in Eastern Tibet. Her ‘community’ deep within the folds of the Himalayas involved nothing more than a loose trio of yak wool tents that rippled with … Continue reading

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Expedition Final: An End With Warmth

It is northwards into Central Asia and the old kingdoms of Turkestan that beckon but borders now are things of great sensitivity and we are heading south again. We’ve headed as far north as we will be permitted to go. … Continue reading

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Mountain Eyes

One of the immortal faces of the mountains…even though only four-years old. A nomadic girl, whose predecessors were a clan of ‘guardians’ for trade caravans on the top of the world. Caravans of precious salt, tea, and wool passed through … Continue reading

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