(Lanzhou is the transport hub nearest to Xining, but is in the next province over, in Gansu; given that Xining is by FAR the largest city in Qinghai, that tells you what sort of wild animal Qinghai Province is. Lanzhou is also notable for at some point being the most polluted city in the world. I actually thought that the meat skewers sold in the Lanzhou market were the best outside of Xinjiang; I hope it wasn't pollution seasoning...)
This photo is of the entrance to the Mogao caves near Dunhuang. The caves have amazing artwork from lots of different periods, starting at 1500 years ago, by multiple Buddhist groups. The fancy entranceway is new and doesn't merit a photo except for the soldiers posing nearby. The soldiers might have been on their way to silencing protests (or general collective self-expression) in volatile Xinjiang province in prep for the Olympics; but at least here they got to have some fun!
Our other major activity in Dunhuang was an overnight camel ride to the desert. We went to the beginning of the dune area so that we would just barely not see the edge of the desert - so though it wasn't far, it felt remote.
Here's our convoy, Natalie in front, Tess following and Stephen's leg just barely visible.
This is a desert.
The wind was howling the whole night so we didn't sleep much in our flimsy tents in the desert. We spent half of the next day vegetating in a nice internet cafe in town. It's like I almost get over my nytimes addiction - and then it starts full force all over again...
Our train out of town was canceled, supposedly because of sandstorms but probably just because people didn't buy enough seats. But finally (I think the next day) we got out of town and made it to Urumqi. It might be politically within China, but it's still completely central Asia...
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