The ancient city of Xi’an (Xian), famous for its massive city walls and home of the Terracotta Warriors. But it’s not all about the Terra Cotta Army. Roam the streets and be rewarded with yummy dumplings and curious, smiling faces.
The flag the gentlemen is holding was eventually torn up and stomped on (It is now in Frank’s hands)
Hong Kong skyline from Victoria Peak
An open discussion of the Occupy Movement and the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989 on HK television. Such freedom of expression is absolutely unheard of on the mainland.
A four-day cruise from Chongqing to Yichang on one of the greatest water superhighways in the world…
Lily, a delightful part of our crew.
Shennong Stream
Excursion to Shennong Stream
Shibaozhai
Excursion to Shibaozhai
Three Gorges Dam
Three Gorges Dam is beyond enormous, much more than any photograph can convey. Built in order to provide electricity (50 Gigawatts capacity), for flood control, and to boost shipping capacity along the Yangtze, it remains controversial because of its massive environmental impact and displacement of the local population.
The gentle, several hours long process of passing through the gigantic locks of Three Gorges Dam in the middle of the night was particularly interesting and well worth setting an alarm for.
Geographically defined by staggering extremes of altitude and climate, ranging from towering snow-capped peaks to arid basins far below sea level… and bordering eight countries: Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
But the most interesting thing is the Uyghur culture, ethnically more Turkish than Chinese, where Arabic is the mother tongue, and Islam rules. Alas, it appears that tensions between the Chinese central government and Uyghurs have seriously escalated since Frank’s visit here in 2013 (when you could already cut the tension with a knife).
Destinations include Urumqi, Turpan, and a drive through some of the flattest and most desolate terrain on planet earth.
The Turpan Depression
The Turpan Depression is the third lowest point on the earth at 150 meters (~500 feet) below sea level. The rain shadow cast by the surrounding mountains and the low elevation make this one of the hottest and driest places on earth.
Urumqi
A curious and warm welcome upon arrival!
I was absolutely astonished to discover this enormous metropolis in the middle of the desert.
Large-scale construction projects can be found all over China.
And heavily-polluting power plants, too.
Urumqi nightlife, outdoors!
Friendly bartenders serve all the Chinese and imported beer you want!
Making some Han Chinese friends. A small world… This gentleman, who spoke English quite well, is a mechanical technician and has been to Nashville several times on business.
Bilingual signage.
Dinner at a Muslim restaurant… Unlike the rest of China, Lamb, rather than pork, is the main source of protein.
A heavy Chinese Police presence patrols the streets in the Uyghur neighborhoods, ready to suppress even the slightest hint of disorder.
Predominantly Han Chinese, Urumqi has a large [Muslim] Uyghur population that feels quite segregated from the Han neighborhoods.
Curious and friendly, but wary Uygur gentlemen.
But let’s leave Urumqi on a more uplifting note… How many Chinamen does it take to open the hotel safe?
Heavenly Lake
On the Road between Urumqi and Turpan…
The drive from Urumqi to Turpan passes through a wasteland…
of coal-fired power plants
and a thousand electric-generating windmills.
What could this possibly be? ( I fear that it’s a concentration and “reeducation” facility).
HFS!
Turpan (Tufan)
Emin Mosque, which feels like an enormous sand castle.
Jamming at 1000 Buddha Caves.
Gaochang Ruins
Karez, underground waterways that irrigate the bone dry desert.
Tuyoq Cemetery
House of Albert von Le Coq who looted the Thousand Buddha Caves. Sadly, the spoils were destroyed in Berlin during WWII. Evil and stupid!
Turpan City
Uygur Noodles, one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten.
My new Uyghur friend, who gave me his cap as a gift and invited me to smoke and drink beer with him. I was the first Westerner that he had ever met. And he insisted that he pay because I was his guest!
8 thoughts on “Postcards from China: 1001 Faces and Full of Surprises!”
I, who cannot travel far, have been all around our amazing world with you… I couldn’t ask for a better travel companion ~ you are always looking at just the things I want to see! 🤗
Thanks for appreciating the story telling behind these pix, Ana. I am sincerely honored to have you as my travel companion… in more ways than one. Big hug.
I, who cannot travel far, have been all around our amazing world with you… I couldn’t ask for a better travel companion ~ you are always looking at just the things I want to see! 🤗
Thanks for appreciating the story telling behind these pix, Ana. I am sincerely honored to have you as my travel companion… in more ways than one. Big hug.
Always good to have hugs along the trek!
More hugs!
🤗
The photo essay is stunning. You can certainly get the whole vibe from that trip through your photographs. ….those roasted bugs on sticks…eek!
Thanks for the kind words and for taking a moment to travel with me for a while, JJ. Believe it or not, not all the bugs were roasted., double eek!
🤢