Fancy exploring China on your own terms? Seeing all the marvels that the Middle Kingdom has to offer without being confined to a bus tour or gazing out of a train window? Then the WildChina Explorer Grant might be the thing for you.
Specialising in immersive travel experiences, luxury travel company WildChina is offering a 5,000USD (34,365RMB) grant to one lucky applicant wishing to explore China. To give you an idea of what the selection panel is looking for, 2016 winner Dongrui Yu was awarded the grant to help fund his project Finding Our Lost Stars which focused on how to preserve China's starry night sky – serious stuff. So, with that in mind, don't expect your application to be successful if all you're in the mood for is a bit of a jolly up north.
This year's winner will have access to WildChina's network of contacts that'll cater to their travelling needs and ensure they'll be able to design a truly unique tour of China. The theme of this year's grant, Explore China Differently, is inspired by WildChina founder and CEO Mei Zhang's 2016 book Travels through Dali: with a leg of ham.
'We're searching for explorers who are looking to share their passion for China with others,' said Zhang. 'For us, exploration should have an impact on more than just yourself, and is often able to serve as an important form of cultural cultivation. This year's theme reflects the importance of that in our ever-changing world.'
Applications for the grant are open until April 23 with a public vote to decide the finalists taking place between April 24 and April 30. The winner will be announced on May 17.