MILLER XU AND MARIANE THUILLIER

Founders of M2adventure

Interview by Sophie Steiner

Seven years ago, Miller Xu and his business and life partner, Mariane Thuillier, started M2adventure out of their mutual love for hiking and the great outdoors. Over time, they built up their Shanghaibased travel community to include trips all across Asia. As a result of COVID, 2020 saw some major changes in the way the company operates, but through pivoting and keeping their activities fresh and relevant, they have overcome major obstacles and continued on their growth trajectory.

How and when did M2 get started? Where does the name come from?

MX: About seven years ago, Mariane and I met on a hiking trip in China. We realized how much we both love hiking and being outdoors, so we started organizing our own hiking trips for fun. We also started dating, and eventually got married last year. At that time, the trips we organized were just for us and our friends, but eventually more people joined in and our hobby became M2adventure.

At the very beginning, Mariane and I would lead almost all of the trips, at the end of the trips people would always thank us, but instead of saying “thank you Miller and Mariane,” they would often say “thanks M&M or M2!” So, it was only natural for us to choose this name for our company.

How does M2 differentiate itself from other travel and tour companies in Shanghai and the rest of China? MX: M2adventure is more of a traveling community than a travel agency. We are known for our unique outdoor trip products (EBC hike, Yellow Mt. West Valley hike, etc.) that take guests to places that

“We always encourage people to try new things, discover hidden or off-the-beaten path places and meet new people”

no other hiking or travel agencies are taking them. But what really differentiate us is our team leaders. (We call them ‘team leaders’ because they are so much more than just everyday ‘guides.’) They are friendly, passionate and full of energy. Our kind of trips naturally attract a fun bunch of people who, just like Mariane and me, are young-spirited, sporty, looking for adventures and always ready to have a laugh. As they say, your vibe attracts your tribe!

What is M2’s main mission with providing tours to guests? MX: Our motto is: ‘Keep Your Life Adventurous!’ We always encourage people to try new things, discover hidden or off-the-beaten path places and meet new people. We also believe and support sustainable travel, by protecting the local environment where we travel to and giving back to the local communities through volunteer work and donations.

How did M2 have to evolve as a company as a result of COVID? Did the pandemic open up any new doors for the company to expand in other ways that weren’t expected? MX: We had to pivot, from a pure outdoor hiking/activity-focused organization to a more all-around travel company in order to survive this challenging environment. We designed new trips and tried new ways to communicate with our community through photos, videos and livestream. We learned and grew a lot as a company from this experience, and it has been quite a rewarding process. We created new trips based on what was possible rather than what we normally schedule. When we couldn’t leave Shanghai, we had to be more creative and develop fun local activity-based trips, such as biking, horseback riding, forest day walks, etc. within Shanghai. Later on, since Tibet (one of our best sellers) was not reopening, we had to explore new horizons and started doing Silk Road trips within China. We quickly built up an expertise in that area, and we are now among the top three tour companies in Shanghai for organizing Silk Road trips.

Have you had any ethical qualms associated with working for a company that promotes travel during a time when some view travel as selfish and unsafe? MX: In general, if people want to travel, they will travel – with or without us. We have a strong monitoring system and local network to ensure we provide trips in low risk areas, without risk of quarantine nor change of QR code colors. We also never hesitate to cancel trips and refund full deposits to our clients if the situation changes and there are any risks or COVID cases.

What are you most excited for in the upcoming year in regards to changes and developments at M2? MX: We are most excited for the return of the Tibet Everest base camp hikes and new trip development in regions like Xinjiang, Guizhou and Inner Mongolia. We are also slowly building up a family-oriented line of trips.

> This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. To learn more about M2adventure, scan the QR code below:

ITCHY FEET

ROLLER COASTER

Think Before You Travel

China has advised residents not to travel during the Chinese Spring Festival to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, a task force which coordinates China’s anti-epidemic response, issued several recommendations last month to help ensure people stay safe during the holiday period. Liu Kezhi, director of the Market Management Department at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said non-essential travel should be avoided, especially to overseas destinations and to medium- and high-risk areas within China. Other key recommendations include holding virtual gatherings, limiting family meals and face-to-face gatherings to no more than 10 people and avoiding encounters with anyone showing coronavirus symptoms. Lay low this holiday as it’s not worth the risk of catching COVID-19.

MILE HIGH

Silver Bullet

At the start of 2021, China rolled out its new high-speed train designed for cold climates. CNN reported that the CR400AF-G train can operate at speeds up to 350 kilometers per hour in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. Developed and operated by stateowned China State Railway Group, the new high-speed line connects Beijing to several destinations in northeast China, including Shenyang and Harbin. It’s not yet clear when the train will officially begin operations. Several train components help it endure extremely low temperatures, such as temperature-resistant brake control devices and stainless-steel pipes equipped with heating devices. This is one of the latest lines added to China’s world-largest high-speed rail network of nearly 38,000 kilometers.

HOSPITALITY HIGHLIGHT

Sheraton Qingyuan Lion Lake Resort

This Qingyuan resort has everything you need for a weekend getaway, regardless of where you live in the Middle Kingdom. The Arabian architecture is one of the first things guests notice upon arriving at Lion Lake Resort. Spend your day strolling along the lakefront and lounging by the pool, while at nighttime enjoy a delicious barbeque buffet or an evening BBQ boat cruise (which is as much fun as it sounds). Best of all, the resort boasts an idyllic golf course that makes for a fun experience even if you are the least skilled golfer on the planet. In Qingyuan, the weather is always nice no matter what time of year, which makes Lion Lake Resort a must-visit destination in 2021.

HOT SPOT

Kalimantan

Anyone traveling to Kalimantan is normally seeking a real adventure. The diverse topography of the Indonesian part of Borneo island can make it a little difficult to travel around, however, you’ll soon learn what people are missing out on after visiting this fascinating piece of land. Kalimantan was originally home to an indigenous people, collectively known as Dayak, but now hosts 10 million inhabitants from varying cultures. Hiking is one of the most popular activities here, with a plethora of national parks to explore. Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan is one of the most recommended parks, and home to wild and rehabilitated orangutans and other species of monkeys. Another of Kalimantan’s highly regarded destinations is the Derawan islands, known for tranquil vibes and scenic views. On the island of Kakaban, travelers can jump in a sting-less jellyfish lake and observe one of the earth’s most curious creatures.