China Tour - Shanghai to Beijing

The Ferrari 612 Scagliettis at the start of the tour

Two Ferrari 612 Scagliettis set off on an extraordinary tour of China. The journey lasted two months and saw the crews cover around 15,000 miles (24,135 kilometres). The stages along the way varied in scenery but always surprised.

The voyage through history and culture was juxtaposed with the latest technology has to offer in this boundless expanse of country. The Scagliettis were Ferrari's ambassador in this foreign land. Wherever they went they drew curious, admiring looks. Thus Ferrari strengthened its presence in China with the aim of developing it into one of the biggest global markets in the space of a few years.

The mini-stage between Shanghai and Beijing saw journalists at the wheel of the Scagliettis as they crossed a part of the Huadong region. The inauguration ceremony was held in Shanghai's Tomorrow Square in the heart of the city, China's economic and commercial centre.

Then came the Sazhou stage, the 'Venice of the East'. Among magnificent gardens and lush vegetation the Scaglietti were greeted warmly as they have been at all the special events and traditional dinners.

It was then on towards Nanjing for the 612s. There they visited the old market and the Red Mountains that brood over the sprawling city. Jinan was the destination on 31 August 2005, a journey that called for the crossing of the humid and demanding Shandong region that borders the Yellow Sea.

The intermediate stage to Qufu, the birthplace of Confucianism, made the day even more memorable. Once more the crowds waved their approval as the 2+2s passed by.

The next destination for the crews was Jinan, capital of Shandong. There stands the Temple of Taian, an imposing construction featuring some 40,000 steps and bearing striking Japanese influences. Finally, after an energy-sapping day in very humid weather, the group reached Jinan and a throng of curious and amazed local people.

The China Tour continued to Shandong, also known as the 'Green Peninsular'. The name comes from its position among the hills and mountains that lend it an air similar to Brittany. Crossing the northern part of the region, the team made a stop at Binzhou.

This is a high technology zone situated on the Yellow River. Here the Scagliettis hugged the riverbanks and enjoyed a view of the myriad colours of the water as it swept by.

The Ferrari 612 Scagliettis at the Shanghai International Circuit

That evening, 1 September 2005, the party reached Qingdao via the traffic-free Shandong motorway. The metropolis was spotlessly clean, perhaps due to the German influence following that country's occupation of this area in the eighteenth century.

The city is also famous for its beer production, one enjoyed at a well-attended beer festival held here. The Qingdao dealership arranged an unusual welcome for the Ferraris as a themed gathering was followed by a sumptuous gala dinner.

The next morning the road led north again in the direction of Yatan. A tropical storm ushered the 2+2s to the port to catch the ferry for Dalian. This is the largest port in all Manchuria and is found in the Liaoning region. As well as being the centre of the Ming dynasty, it has been a strategic place since the 1300s.

The third stage of the most demanding section that led the Scagliettis to Beijing was one between Dalian, through Dongbei, to Manchuria. These areas are unique as they were 'forbidden places' as access was denied to them during the reign of the Qing dynasty.

Following a long motorway stretch of 429 kilometres, the city of Shenyang was reached. The 612s paid a visit to the Hunhe park and the imperial quarter and its majestic palace. The complex takes in 114 buildings and was declared a Patrimony for Humanity by Unesco in 2004. A tour of the area was made along with a Fiat Group support car that had come along specially. The setting was a breathtaking one.

The next day, 4 September 2005, the cars set off on the last stage that would lead them to Beijing. The direction was west this time and into the Hebei region. Owing to the length of the stage and the team's desire to visit the Great Wall that the Scaglietti would have skirted for a while, the decision was taken to make a stop at Qinhuangdao. Seeing one of the greatest constructions on earth only added to what was already an extraordinary experience.

In the evening the entire group and the support vehicles drew into Beijing at last. There they spent three days attending specially arranged events organised to mark the passage of the Maranello Ferraris. On the evening of 4 September 2005 a charity auction took place in the Chinese National Museum in Tien An Men Square.

One of the lots on offer was one of the two 612 Scagliettis from the Tour. The winning bid of 3.4 million yuan (approximately $335,000) came from a young Chinese businessman, Guo Bao Tian. Proceeds from the sale were donated to the Soong Ching Ling Foundation, an organisation that cares for Chinese children.

The auction was one concrete benefit of Ferrari's trek through the east.