June 20 Kashgar (Kashi).

On the bus for a 2 1/2 hour ride to Urumqi.

Street lights and crosswalks all have second count down

We are now about 3300 km from Beijing. Amazing we have traveled so far and it seems is such little time, but it has been 10 days. We are in the far western corner of China. Very different. There is more Uyghur here. These are people that are decedent from Persia. Facial features very different. Also much more "Uyghur" style of writing signs. Dual languages on signs, Uyghur and Chinese.
Then onto a plane to fly 1600 km to Kashgar (Kashi). 2 1/2 hours flight.
This city very much Uyghur, about 65%. Very hot and very dry.

We had some free time so off to the supermarket! That is an experience in itself! Underground and monstrous! But they have everything you can imagine. Similar to a Walmart but this place had to be 2 times the size! But they have booze, beer and wine, which Walmart does not! Wine, cheap stuff at 35 yuan, $7, On way back to hote

l, the wind picked up and blew sand and dust everywhere!

Just to Chinese restaurant around the corner. As Ramadan started yesterday, any of the Muslim places are closed until sunset. Great food, and there is even plenty of meat in the dishes, which has been the case in most other places. Some you could not find it! But here no problem.

Glaciers in mountain range

Then just out for a walk. The police/military presence was huge. No problems, just showing a stand. They were not around for very long, but they are still present. 2 or 3 blocks down from the hotel is a lake. It was very busy with lots of families playing on the waters edge and taking boat rides. A small outboard the had the riders screaming as the driver made sharp turns. The people along the waters edge liked as there were waves. One of the group made friends with a small kid, around 1 years old. Mother took picture. Interesting as kids not really in diapers. These had their sleepers/ jump suits on that are completely open in the crotch.
Amazing as it was 11 pm and still fairly light! All of China is on the same time zone and we are now a long way west!

June 19 Night train to Turpan

Arrived about 5.30 and then into van for 45 minute drive to hotel. Interesting selection of amenities in this bathroom which include condoms!
Lunch at a little restaurant down the road. Fresh noodles that have just arrived. They are fairly big but the woman beat them on a table to thin them out to spaghetti size. They really stretch out. Noodles in broth with vegetables. Very good.

Then off to Jiaohe Island city ruins. They are high above a river that splits around this island.

All the buildings and Buddhist temples are made of local mud and straw. About 500 years old. Not much shade anywhere and must be 38 degrees out. At least there is a bit of breeze in some places. It is an amazing place! A very tactical place as so high and with the river, easy to protect from invaders but easy to be put under seige. There is no mention of growing any food but the area all around seems to be good for growing vegetables and lots of grapes.

Short drive to the Karez water system. This is a series of underground tunnels dug out to drain the water from the nearby mountain glacier streams. There are hundreds of them, many miles long. About 1900 km in total, some which are still used today. Some debate as to how old. Some say 2000 years to about 500 years ago. Amazing how they dug the tunnels underground and were able to get the to go in a fairly straight line. Sighting sticks used above and below ground in combination with square wells straight down.
Then to the Imin Mosque, built about 250 years ago. Amazing place as build out of bricks which several patterns on the minaret.

Stop back at hotel before dinner. Followed the signs to John's Cafe - apparently there is coffee! And there was! Espresso, but very expensive - $7. But tasted great, as it was the first coffee I have bought in ages.

On way to restaurant for food, stopped at an open air theatre. Looks like there are groups practicing for a singing/musical competition. Did not stay long but did see some interesting musical instruments.

Ended up eating dinner at the same restaurant as lunch. We did walk through a meat BBQ outdoor market. Always amazing what interesting things you find in these places. I will leave at that! But they did have dumplings with mutton and rice just being made and hot pots with rice and chicken that looked very good. Some people not ready for this.

June 18 Dunhuang

Well, believe it or not! We are in a desert but it is pouring rain and cool! Need a jacket this morning but still in shorts and sandals. Many people driving scooters holding umbrellas to keep the rain off.

Quite the sight!
Today out the door by 7.30 am and off to the Mogao Grottoes. These are Buddhist shrines built at various times from the 3rd century to 14th century. They have been dug into the side of a sand stone cliff. About 500 of the caves have very detailed paintings inside. There are about 500 other caves that are used for living quarters to the monks. One of the caves housed the library where 1000s of books, bamboos slips and other documents were found. Some of these are in various large museums around the world. Another amazing place. This is a crossroad of the East and West. This site has been visited by many monks from all over the west hundreds of years ago. Interesting in that although known during the Silk Road era, after it died down in about 1500AD, it was not rediscovered until the very early 1900s! And by westerners. Apparently the government was not aware of the site!
They have done a fantastic job. Spent about 500m yuan, $100 m, on a movie production and 2 theatres. 1 theatre is a 360 degree view of the grotto (caves). Very well done! The building is great.
Once again, onto a large bus and to the site. Difficult to see the grottoes as there have been protective walls built in front of the the cave entrances.

Back into the city and a few hours to selves. Lunch at pizza place, a nice change then a short walk along the Shule River. They have made reservoirs along parts of the river, otherwise very dry.
Back to hotel to relax a bit as have a 2 1/2 drive to another city to catch the train to Turpan. Wandered around a bit. Lots of watermelon for sale. On the corner 4 pool tables outside!
Train leaves at 10.30 pm and arrives Turpan at 5.30 am.