Neil Taylor in conversation with SACU Archivist Linxi Li

SACU ChinaChat Series – “Your Stories with China”: Neil Taylor in conversation with SACU Archivist Linxi Li

There was a time in the 1960s and 1970s when travel to China by Westerners was very limited. At this pivotal stage of its modern development, SACU offered one of the only ways of going on a tour to China. Strange to say now, participants needed to pass an interview before being considered to go on the tour, so it was a rare opportunity.

The opening of China in 1980s generated a wider public interest and SACU, which was able to expand tours, forming its own professional tour company. By 1985, there were over 10,000 members at one time or another. Guardian journalist John Gittings, BBC broadcaster David Attenborough and novelist Iris Murdoch all visited China through SACU tours.

Neil Taylor, a founder member of SACU and an expert on tourism, is going to share his experiences.

This is a SACU ChinaChat for members only. The March newsletter sent to members included the link to this event.

Questions? Please email membership@sacu.org.uk

Above: Liangshan’s welcome, August 1978, cover of China Now, Jan/Feb 1979