Xiahe is known as “little Lhasa” and since we were unable to visit Tibet, this city was the next best thing. Xiahe is an ethnically Tibetan town famous for its Labrang Monastery, which is one of the most important centers of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. Driving from Chongqing to Xiahe brought us up in…Continue reading China – Xiahe & Chuanzhusi & Huanglong & Chengdu
China – Dunhuang & Jiayuguan & Xiakou & Chongqing
From Turpan, we drove to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Cave complex (5th to 14th century), nestled in a gorge of the Flaming Mountains. The cave grottoes’ best murals were hacked away by German explorer Albert von Le Coq who sent them to Berlin where they were subsequently destroyed during WWII when the city was bombed.…Continue reading China – Dunhuang & Jiayuguan & Xiakou & Chongqing
China – Wensu Grand Canyon & Kuqa & Turpan
From Kashgar we drove due east and made our way towards Kuqa and Turpan. The journey was supposed to take 5 blazing hot days, bush camping en-route. However, those plans quickly went by the wayside on the evening of day 1. We had gotten as far as Wensu Grand Canyon and planned to bush camp…Continue reading China – Wensu Grand Canyon & Kuqa & Turpan
China – Kashgar & Karakoram Highway & Lake Karakol
There are only 2 border crossings between Kyrgyzstan and China and we were set to cross over the most logistically difficult international border crossing in the world – the infamous Torugart Pass. This remote mountain pass links Naryn (in Kyrgyzstan) to Kashgar (China’s westernmost city). And why does the Torugart have such an daunting reputation?…Continue reading China – Kashgar & Karakoram Highway & Lake Karakol
Kyrgyzstan – Karakol & Jeti Orguz & Son-Kul Lake
After the mountain resort of Altyn Arashan, we had one night at a homestay in Karakol. Little did we know this would be the start of a week of slaughter (sheep, rabbit, sheep)! When our homestay hosts offered to cook us a lamb dinner, everyone readily agreed since the meals on top of Altyn Arashan…Continue reading Kyrgyzstan – Karakol & Jeti Orguz & Son-Kul Lake