John Hare has made many expeditions to the Mongolian and Chinese Gobi deserts, first with Russian and then with Chinese scientists. He is the first recorded foreigner to have crossed the Gashun Gobi from north to south and to have reached the ancient city of Lou Lan from the east. His aim was to track down the mysterious, wild Bactrian camel in the desert heartland, now protected in a sanctuary in the area.