Source: AAP

A SEARCH has begun for an Australian freelance travel writer believed to be missing in southern China.

Clem Lindenmayer disappeared while hiking near Minya Konka mountain in the Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Ganzi, according to China's Xinhua news agency.

A separate posting on an open forum operated by Lonely Planet and accredited to Mr Lindenmayer's father Graeme said the 47-year-old was believed to have gone missing in the area of Kangding, in China's Sichuan province.

The posting calling for help in finding the missing man.

"I assure you this is not a hoax," the posting reads.

"We have done all the appropriate reporting but have heard nothing yet.

"Clem normally replies to our emails, but does not give details of his treks (other than where and about how long) until he returns.

"He has not replied to recent emails, including some about matters that we handle on his behalf. "

A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman said the man's family in Melbourne was trying to locate him and the department was providing consular assistance.

Mr Lindenmayer is a freelance travel writer who last worked for Lonely Planet publications in November 2003, a spokeswoman for the company said.

Mr Lindenmayer last had contact with his family on May 2 and was expected to resume contact eight days later, according to a message posted by family members on a Lonely Planet website.

Family members contacted refused to talk about Mr Lindenmayer's possible whereabouts.

According to the Lonely Planet website, Mr Lindenmayer is based in Switzerland and has written Walking in Switzerland, Trekking in the Patagonian Andes, the Rocky Mountains chapter of Hiking in the USA, and helped update its guidebooks for China, Malaysia and the German and Swedish sections of Western Europe.

UPDATE 29 July 2007

His body was found in China's south-west.

Mr Lindenmayer went missing in May trying to climb Mount Gongga in China's south-west.

Villagers have now found his body at Riwuqie Peak, 4600 metres above sea level.

His family has agreed to have his body cremated on the mountain where he was found.

They will then return his ashes to Australia.

The area is notoriously dangerous for climbers and local villagers have battled driving rain and ice to find Mr Lindenmayer.

Twenty-four climbers have successfully reached the peak of Mount Gongga since 1957 but more than 20 people have died trying.