The Xinjiang and Guangzhou provinces.. Trip to China, following the ancient Silk Way

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Kashgar:
Kashgar, is the great center from which branch off the streets leading to the west, where they join the two paths of the Silk Road crossing Central Asia.

Buildings constructed of mud brick, winding alleys and labyrinthine lead at the shops of artisans who work tirelessly wood, copper, with the utmost care and attention. And merchants still traveling, walking quietly with their donkey-carts selling goods as diverse as women, who wander among the markets with their heads wrapped in their brown scarf. Characteristic of the walls blackened by smoke from the kilns that produce almost continuously of delicious bread. Fascinating to see piles of meat hanging from every corner ready to be purchased by restaurants in the evening they would have made some delicious shashlik (kebab made kebabs)
The heart of old town really seems to have remained unchanged over time, with all its magic, its authenticity.
Not less important is the atmosphere at the Sunday market, where they come from everywhere countless donkeys, horses, sheep, goats, which are assessed careful eye of buyers.
The minarets dominate the scene quietly, reminding people of Kashgar, in addition to trade, including Islam influences their daily routine. Then, the call of the muezzin broke the bustle of activity, forcing devotees to hurry along the narrow streets to be present at the prayer.

Karakoram Highway: made in about a 20 year old, this way of communicating veins built to facilitate transport of merchandise and exchange between the republics of Central Asia and the subcontinent.
Such is the greatness of this road is said to be his most colossal man-made after the pyramids of Egypt.

Needless to say, the view is very suggestive, the eye is drawn to the mountains, among the highest in the world, which change color from gray to bright red sand. After about three hours of journey, you arrive at beautiful lake Karakul located at 3,600 m. And 'the second highest lake in the world but the highest plateau of the Pamirs. There are also settlements kyrghyzi here. In fact, many yurts dot the banks of the lake, and among them, yaks and camels graze peacefully and undisturbed.

Tashkurgan: The day after we move to Tashkurgan Tajik capital of the Autonomous Province of Tashkurgan. An ancient town where the population is largely Tajik where he traded sheep, wool and dairy products, and especially carpets. Worth, as always, take a walk to the market, the heart of these places.


Urumqui: to continue with the last part of our journey, and go to the region of Guangzhou, we took a flight to Urumqi. Capital of Xinjiang, offers pretty much nothing but a visit to the park where people can watch the "oddities" of the Chinese people. People dancing to the smooth, others who play their traditional music, small markets where they sell the photos and the little red book of Mao. From Urumqi various bus / trains allow you to make several trips.

Turpan: about three hours by bus from Urumqi, Turpan oasis is legendary, its settlements have long been important stages of the Silk Road. Also known as Huo Zhou (u warm place such as fire) is actually the hottest place in China.
The temperature so high, also brings benefits such as creating favorable conditions for the growth of melons and grapes.

AROUND Turpan

Jaho: one of the desert city's oldest and largest and best preserved of the world. It 's very impressive to walk through its streets because you are the only ones to do it. Usually because the masses of tourists to observe local mimic the view from the highest point of the city and then go back. Required hat. The heat and the sun is really strong. After visiting a restaurant located at the exit point of the site will allow you to taste the delicious and fresh slices of watermelon.

Tuyoq: nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains blazing lies this tiny and quiet village of viticoltotori that offers the opportunity to learn about the life Uyghur traditional architecture. Along the gorge are a series of Buddhist caves.

Karez: characteristic of Central Asia, is an irrigation system that provides a main shaft is dug on a high point to collect water from melting snows. The system provides karez then dig a long underground tunnel that carries water to the farmlands in the villages.
Along the tunnel are made of vertical wells and whose purpose is to allow access to the tunnel itself.

GUANGZHOU

Dunhuang: an oasis located in the middle of the Gobi desert, is in fact a major attraction to visit the famous archaeological site of the Mogao Caves.
It looks like a small town that only 6 km away is surrounded by the majestic dunes of the Gobi desert. Among their reigns a curious crescent-shaped pond, must see the local tourism industry.

Mogao Caves: dating back to 366 AD, these caves are decorated with figures carved in the rock, with frescoes and statues that have as their dominant theme the religious. The paintings span the entire surface of the caves and maintain the largest collection of Buddhist art in China.
Unfortunately, the restructuring of the site meant that the whole atmosphere that the site was originally to be coming less completely.
The guided tour is mandatory.

Dunhuang AROUND: During the day there is the possibility of hiring a taxi and take a walk in the places around the city. In addition to the two places mentioned below, along the route you can take a break to visit an old wall that surrounded the dynasty that ruled this area.

Yadana: Featuring a unique desert landscape stretches majestically in the middle of the Gobi desert once the bed of a lake 12,000 years ago shaped by erosion. Its unique rock formations that create a truly beautiful landscape.
Again, the only flaw is that it is impossible to visit on their own.

CAVES OF THE THOUSAND BUDDHA: if you visit Mogao does not make sense to come here. Again the site is like a big cement flow in which there are frescoed rooms. Again, the visit is mandatory wizard.

Personal observation: the areas we visited are part of Guangzhou in China more traditional, are not particularly attractive.

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