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Paul Salopek treks across China as part of his yearslong ‘Out of Eden Walk’
The World’s hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler talked with National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek about his experiences walking across China and beyond as a part of his “Out of Eden Walk” project.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018. Paul Salopek on a boat along sacred Ganges River. Salopek, a National Geographic Fellow, is the writer and walker of the Out of Eden Walk. Join the journey at outofedenwalk.org.
John Stanmeyer/National Geographic, Out of Eden Walk
Paul Salopek has been walking across the world for the past 11 years. He’s tracing the historic path of human migration from Africa through Asia and into the Americas.
The journey is part of his “Out Of Eden Walk” project in collaboration with the National Geographic Society.
To date, he’s walked 16,000 miles and just recently was in China where he crossed seven provinces. He will return to China this spring — he plans to cover 24,000 miles altogether.
The World’s hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler talked with Salopek about his experiences in China and beyond.
See some of the sights from his journey in the photo gallery below. To hear the full interview with Salopek, click on the audio player above.
Madain Salih, Saudi Arabia, 2013. Paul Salopek wanders through the ancient Nabataean ruins of Madain Salih, carved into sandstone outcrops some 2,000 years ago. These structures were used as tombs for the wealthy during the Nabataean era. The kingdom stretched from its capital Petra in Jordan south to Madain Salih in the Hejaz region of present-day Saudi Arabia. Join the journey at outofedenwalk.org. John Stanmeyer/National Geographic, Out of Eden Walk
Afar, Ethiopia, 2013. National Geographic Fellow and writer Paul Salopek and his Ethiopian guide, Ahmed Alema Hessan, leave the village of Bouri in the Afar region of northwestern Ethiopia. Join the journey at outofedenwalk.org. John Stanmeyer/National Geographic, Out of Eden Walk
Afar, Ethiopia, 2013. National Geographic Fellow and writer Paul Salopek follows local guides into the Afar Desert on a 22,000-mile walk to retrace the human diaspora. Join the journey at outofedenwalk.org. John Stanmeyer/National Geographic, Out of Eden Walk
Anatolia, Turkey, 2014. National Geographic Fellow and writer Paul Salopek leads his mule past a royal tomb near Nemrut in eastern Turkey. Join the journey at outofedenwalk.org. John Stanmeyer/National Geographic, Out of Eden Walk
Writer and National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek has embarked on a 24,000-mile storytelling trek across the world called the “Out of Eden Walk.” The National Geographic Society, committed to illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world, has funded Salopek and the project since 2013. Explore the project here. Follow Salopek on X at @outofedenwalk and also at @InsideNatGeo.