2013 The China Silk Road: 10 Kashgar/Urumchi

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle...” - Albert Einstein

.Day 10: 31 May 2013

Kashgar - Urumchi

(Kashgar Grand Mosque - A carpet design)

(Signage to the tomb)

(The mausoleum)

(The tombs in the mausoleum)

This morning we visited Abakh Khoja Tombs at the northeast suburbs of Kashgar at Hanhao Villages, around 5 km away from the city. The environment in that area is tranquil and beautiful with lush green vegetation, dense forest. The grand tomb is heavily sheltered by the ancient poplar trees which grow around the mausoleum.

(Other unidentified tomb)

The mausoleum served as the family tomb of Abakh Khoja, the powerful white sufi ruler of Kashgar in the 17th century who was revered as a holy man. It was first built in 1640 and contained 72 members belonging 5 generations of the family.

(The colorful tiles at the entrances)

(Renovation in progress)

Entering the main gate, visitors will see a big rectangle-shaped courtyard, which contains a gate tower, higher and lower worship walls, Doctrine-Teaching Hall, an orchard and the main tomb chamber. The gate tower is small while very brilliant. Close to the gate tower is a small mosque, which is used as a daily service hall for the local Muslims. Muslims from South Xinjiang Province will come here to do massive liturgy before they go to worship the Abakh Khoja Tomb each Friday or on important religious festivals. The building complex is majestic and mosque-like with dome-toped buildings, minarets and wooden fences integrated harmoniously.

(The prayer hall)

(A group photo of the ladies)

The tomb chamber in the east of the cemetery is the main building in the complex. It is the largest dome-style architecture found in Xinjiang. Of the 72 royals in the tomb, the most famous resident, however, is a Uyghur concubine of Qing's emperor Qianlong. The site is thus well known among Chinese as Xiangfei Tomb.

(The clock tower at the entrance of the old town)

(Shoe repair at the horsesmith)

(Pottery and clay pots)

(The new wider street)

(A typical street in the old town)

Our next visit is to historic sites in Kashgar Old Town. It was a wonderful walk through the narrow alleys visiting homes, grocery shops and seeing some of the workshops with hand-made goods. Old mud-brick buildings were slowly being demolished but it’s good to observe that most parts of the old town are rebuilt with same old style where Islamic culture and architecture still exist and best preserved.

(Uyghur ladies walking among the debris of old buildings)

(Old mosque being demolished)

(Newly built building with intricate wall carvings)

The Sunday market and Sunday animals market are also the best places to see in kashgar old town. The old section is the best-preserved example of a traditional Islamic city to be found anywhere in Central Asia.

(Sacks of large dried chilies)

(Old man selling nuts and spices)

(Nan bread street vendors)

(Local produce, tomatoes and chilies)

We visited the Grand Mosque of Kashgar also known as Idkha Mosque and performed our prayers. It is said that more than 15,000 jemaah pray in that mosque every Friday. While waiting for lunch time we listened to our guide narrating the history of Kashgar and its importance in the Silk Route.

(A visit to the carpet shop)

(Various musical instruments - A carpet pattern)

After a short visit to a carpet shop we had lunch at a nearby rooftop restaurant. The men went to the mosque to perform Friday prayer while the ladies prayed in a special room in the restaurant.

(Kashgar Grand Mosque)

(The prayer hall)

After Friday prayer we visited the Grand Sunday bazaar and purchased unique souvenirs and local handicrafts.

(Kashgar Sunday Market on a hot afternoon)

(Local patterns - vibrant colors)

We had early dinner at Salman Restaurant and were later transferred to the Airport for our onward domestic flight to Urumchi. We arrived Urumchi at 23:00 and stayed the night at The Mirage Hotel.

(The imposing statue of Mao Tze Tung)

👈👈 2013: Urumchi/Guangzhou, China

2013: Kashgar, China 👉👉

2013 The China Silk Road: 09 Kashgar/Karakul Lake

“Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid...” - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Day 09: 30 May 2013

KASHGAR

(The Yin Rui Lin Hotel)

Kashgar or Kashi is an oasis county-level city with approximately 350,000 residents in the western extremity of the People's Republic of China, near the border with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Kashgar is a region with more than 30 ethnic minorities. In Kashgar, visitors can appreciate the unique landscapes of Lake Karakul, the Dawakun Desert, and Shiptom Arch.

(Assorted of nan bread)

Today we braced ourselves for the ultimate in road trips on the highest paved road in the world to cross the  border at Gezcun, where photographs are strictly prohibited, to travel to Lake Karakul. The Karakoram Highway is 800 miles of mountain road connecting Pakistan with China across some of the tallest mountains in the world. This highway connects China and Pakistan across the Karakoram mountain range, through the Khunjerab Pass, at an elevation of 4,693 metres.

(Snow-capped mountain range)

(Tajik's tents along the highway)

(Border control check at Gezcun)

The highway is named after the Karakoram, the Western reach of the Himalayas, which span the confluence of India, Pakistan and China. Home to five of the fourteen eight-thousanders, the longest glaciers outside the Polar Regions and a vicious conflict between India and Pakistan fought in 20,000-ft mountain passes. It is the perfect place for a dramatic epic road, with scenic and beautiful views.

(Crossing the mountainous range)

(Toilet stop, bring own water)

(Rest and acclimatization)

(Yaks on green pasture)

Lake Kala Kule is located at the foot of Mount Muztagata, and is 191 km from Kashgar. It is not far from the base camp if you wish to climb Mount Muztagata. If you walk or ride a camel, it will take five hours to arrive there. Kala Kule Lake is located in Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, an autonomous prefecture in western Xinjiang, China, bordering Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The altitude of the lake is 3,500 meters with a depth of 30 meters and a total area of 10 square km. Lake Kala Kule is a high mountain lake, with a surface reflecting the lofty and mysterious Mount Muztagata.

(The Kala Kule Lake aka the Black Lake)

(Horse riding along the lake)

(Toilets on high altitude)

Through the winding road of Karakoram highway, our bus driver drove carefully and cautiously slow as some parts of the road was too narrow for two vehicles to pass and some stretches were under repairs. While ascending the mountainous terrain, we were advised to always take a slow deep breath and drink a lot of water to acclimatize our body for the high altitude and extreme weather. When we reached the Kala Kule Lake we had lunch and enjoyed the beautiful view of the lake from the one and only restaurant and took lots of scenic photo shots.

(Cosy tents for rent)

(Performing prayer in the open)

Unfortunately we could not stay long as one lady from our group experienced light headedness and fainted. And a few more had nausea and trouble in breathing. Because of the acute mountain sickness experienced by some, we didn't stop at the Opal Village as planned.

(The Uyghur family)

On the way down most of us slept all the way to Kashgar City. After a short rest in the hotel, we went to have a very late dinner. Tonight we stayed another night in Yin Rui Lin International Hotel.

👈👈 2013: Kashgar/Urumchi, China

2013: Urumchi/Kashgar, China 👉👉

2013 The China Silk Road: 08 Urumchi/Kashgar

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Day 08: 29 May 2013

URUMCHI - KASHGAR

(The city view from our hotel room)

Urumchi is the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the northwest of China. Urumchi was a major hub on the Silk Road during China's Tang Dynasty, and developed its reputation as a leading cultural and commercial center during the Qing Dynasty. Urumchi, whose name means ‘beautiful pasture’ in the Mongolian language of the Dzungar people, is the largest city in China's western interior.

(The Tianshan Mountain Range)

Urumchi has developed economically and now serves as a regional transport node, cultural, and commercial centre. Urumchi has earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the most remote city from any sea in the world. It is about 2,500 km from the nearest coastline.

(The entrance to Tianchi National Geopark)

(A herd of sheep crossing the road)

Breakfast was early. This morning excursion took us to the Heavenly Lake, located to the east of the Tianshan Mountain range, in the north of Bogda Peak, 97 km south of Urumchi. The tour bus sent us to the entrance complex at the foot of the Tianshan Mountain where we bought the entrance tickets. Going up the mountain, we were transported by a CNG-powered bus.

(A warm reception with songs and music)

(Pretty young dancers)

(Tents in the wood)

On the way, we stopped for an optional tour of a Khazakh Yurt village to allow us to see the nomadic life of Kazakhs in the mountains. We visited the small community there and were entertained with beautiful folk songs and dances. Some of us bought Khazakh’s colorful handicrafts for souvenirs. We had fun trying out their traditional costumes for photo shots and it’s for free. Later we were served with salty milk tea, a traditional Khazak’s drink, a taste to be acquired.

(Adorning Kazakh’s colorful costumes)

(Vibrant colors of Kazakh's handicrafts)

Half way up to the lake we had to again change transport mode by riding on a battery-powered buggy. I really respect their efforts to preserve the environment and avoid pollution by using CNG and battery-powered vehicles. The ascending road is winding and steep and the scenic view is picturesque. The beautiful Heavenly Lake is situated 1,910 meters above sea level, with an average depth of 60 meters.

(Battery powered buggies)

(A first glimpse of the lake)

The lake is a natural and typical alpine lake, which is 3,400 meters long and 1,500 meters wide, occupying an area of 4.9 sq km. The lake forms a crescent shape and the water is cool, crisp and clear. Surrounded by mountains, verdant forest and assorted flora and fauna, Heavenly Lake is rightly regarded as a jewel in the crown of Tianshan Mountain.

(Heavenly Lake, breathtaking and tranquil)

(On a cruise ship)

Heavenly Lake doubles as an equally ideal and appealing summer and winter alpine resort, and many athletes can be found here-especially during winter months-as they gather for training and competition. We had the opportunity to ride on a cruise boat across the lake. If we come during winter the lake water could be frozen!

(Photo shot at vantage point)

We had lunch at the base of the mountain and later we were transferred to Urumchi Airport for the 18:20 domestic flight to Kashgar. We had to wait quite a while to check in. At the boarding gate there was a long queue as passengers had to go through a thorough security screening, removing shoes and belts and even head scarves for the ladies. It was reported that all Xingjian airports boosts security checks after foiled high-jacking in 2012.

We arrived in Kashgar around 20:40 and were met by Yusuf, our tour guide in Kashgar. We had a late dinner at Miran Restaurant before we checked-in Yin Rui Lin International Hotel for the night.

👈👈 2013: kashgar, China

2013: Turpan/Urumchi, China 👉👉