Friday, August 9, 2013

Xinjiang1 - 西域

Perhaps there is no other place in the world that shares the depth and breath of this remote state of Xinjiang.
From mystery past glory to present uniqueness(Etnics/Culture/Food etc), from endless dessert to magnificent lakes/highland/world heritages, from astounding spring colours to black and white snowy scenery in one season, from immense heat wave to extreme coldness... 

The table below summarized our itinerary(started on 19/June), weather, temperature, distance travel per day by our land cruiser and ranking of visited destinations. Those highly recommended place are marked by green font.


The map below shows the neighboring countries(with many "stan") and our travel path to north, central and south of Xinjiang before flying back to urumqi.

The map below shows detail travel path with key interesting places.

Day 1 : Arriving Urumqi. Interesting to see the clear dessert ground from 33000ft and snowy mountains in the distance.

Day 2 : Arriving Buerjin. The picture below shows "5 color-beach" next to the only river in
China that flows to the west.

Day3: Entering the Kanas lake area with full of flowers. We manage to capture photo > 30 type of flowers.


Day 4 : Peaceful Baihaba Village - The most north west village of China located next to Kyrgyzstan.
One can sees snow on the mountain despite summer time. This village still have
the Mongolia ethnics inherited from remaining troop of Genghis Khan.



Day 5: Devil and Oil City.  One red fox was spotted.

Day 6 : Dual Lane highway to Sairam Lake. One can sees a long  white stripes - Snow on top of the  "sky mountains"

Day 7 : From Lake Sairam to World heritage of east Kerajin.  Xinjiang is the world top 3 producer of Lavender.

Day 8 : Arriving at the 9 "curves" and 18 "turns". Freezing cool. Temperature was reported to be zero at night.

Day 9 : Passing through sky mountain and reach "Jordan" of China.

Day 10 : Passing through Dessert Highway and encountered the everlasting "HuYang" tree.
Xinjiang has world 2nd largest dessert and world largest moving dessert(moving south) capable of forming hill with height of 300m.

Day 11 : On the way to Kashgar. Colourful land profile.


Day12 : On the way to Taksgkan Stone City. Magnificent white sand mountain. Strong wind.

Day 13 : Explore the Pakistan and China Border. It was snowing at altitude of 5200m(17000 ft).

Day 14 : Relaxing at kashgar biggest bazzar and have last minutes shopping.

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