Two years ahead of Shanghai Sideways, in 2006, Beijing Sideways was founded by Gael Thoreau, a french Briton expatriated in China since 1999. The amazing experience of Beijing Sideways gave Thomas Chabrières and Hugues Martin the will to launch its sister company in Shanghai in 2008. Thomas Chabrières arrived in China at the age of 19 and begun a career in the digital marketing industry in 1999 while discovering a passion for the chinese Changjiang motorbikes. Hugues Martin, a true Shanghai historian became a Shanghailander in 2003 (click here to see Hugues’ blog on Shanghai history) and is married to a lovely shangainese woman since 2009.In 2008, with the help of Gael Thoreau, they decided to combine their talents and ideas to give life to their dream. Hugues is in charge of the design of the tours and the training of the drivers while Thomas is working for a healthy and sustainable development of the company. So far, this balance seems to be the wining combination.