Jul 21.
We depart Turpan the following morning heading to Urumqi by bus and then on to Kashgar that evening via airplane. But first, we visit the Xinjiang Provincial Museum and then Red Hill, where we get a panoramic view of Urumqi. The museum has displays that depict all the different ethinic groups in the Xinjiang Territory. You might have seen the special television presentation on Nova of the “Mysterious Mummies of China.” The mummies that are the subject of this program are on display here. The mummies at first were thought to be of Asiatic or Middle Eastern ethnic origin but DNA samples proved that the mummies were of caucasian origin. The history of the mummies really bring home what a center of trade this region was, how long ago these trade routes had been established, and how much more closely related we all are.
Sam's Journal- Day 9 Turpan
Jul 20.
Our second day includes Gaochang Ruins, Astana Tombs, the Flamming Mountains, Beziklik Caves, make a visit with a family in a local Uyghur village, and see the Karez irrigation system in the Grape Valley. We end up sampling some of the locally produced vine and then have dinner at a local family’s vineyard, dining outside next to thier home.
Interestingly, the niece of the family that is hosting the dinner, is visiting from her home in Austrailia. Everyone does a head snap when she introduces herself and a distinctly Austrailian accent bounds out of her mouth. Her family has left Xinjiang Province to try and establish a better life abroad.
Sam's Journal- Day 8 Turpan
Jul 19.
The train ride takes longer than we expected. In the morning, we watch as the scenery changes from desert to farmland and finally to an urban landscape. Along the way, evidence of yesterday’s rain and flooding are observed; wash outs, stranded cars, heavy equipment stuck in the mud.
Our disembarkation from the train is uneventful; we are all present and accounted for, along with our lugggage. We climb back into a bus, are on our way, and greeted by our local guide, Dolqun, with a, “I’m tickled pink to be able to be your guide.” Not what any of us expected as a greeting. We share sideways glances with each other and wonder, “What is this all about?” It turns out that Dolqun is practicing his English on us by using one of a couple of hundred English colloquialisms he has compiled. He is sincerely interested in improving his English and in sharing his Uyghur and Muslem culture with us. His second exchange is sharing Nan, a flat bread, with us- delicious.
We check in to the hotel and freshen up and have lunch. Then off to Jiaohe Ruins and Emin Minaret.
Sam's Journal- Day 7 Dunhuang
Jul 18.
Next morning, we are off to visit Mogao Caves and then tour a local market. We end up with quite a bit of spare time and improvise by visiting the Dunhuang County Museum, a local crafts shop that manufactures stoneware from quartz like stone with high iron content (magnets actually attract the objects), and a welcomed visit to the local ice cream shop that has no ice cream. While at the ice cream shop we enjoy smoothies and wait out a downpour of rain. The region’s annual rainfall is 16mm and we witness about 25 mm (an inch) in less than an hour!
That rainfall haunts us later as we wait for our overnight train ride to Turpan. The train is delayed over two hours due to flashflooding. We end up checking in at the train station and then after jostling with the frsutrated crowd (no air condiitoning and high temperatures), we wise up and decide to wait in the bus. The bus can’t leave until we board the train, our local guide is there as well as two assistants that we picked up to help us with our luggage. And, it is a long way back to town from the train station.
The train finally arrives and we board in a light rainfall.
Sam’s Journal- Day 6 Dunhuang
Jul 17.
Our next morning is off to a relaxed start and I think that we all are adjusting to the time zone. We decide to follow Margaret and Tricia’s lead and schedule a foot massage as we wait for Morgan, Rick and Holly’s daughter, to fly in. She had to delay her departure and is to arrive today after a flight in from Michigan and an overnight stay in Beijing.
Today’s itinerary includes West Qianfo Caves, camel riding at Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Spring Lake. Atypical weather continues to follow us and it rains in the evening as we head back from the Singing Sand Dunes.
Sam’s Journal- Day 5 Dunhuang
Jul 16.
Our group arrives late in the evening from our flight in from Xian. But not too late for Margaret and Tricia to check out the prices for a massage and to schedule sign up for treatments. How can you go wrong for 60 – 80 CNY (about $10 US)?
Sam's Journal- Day 4 Xian
Jul 16.
We leave Beijing for a quick and I mean a really quick visit to Xian to see the Terra Cotta Soliders. Up at 4:30 a.m. to catch a 7:15 a.m. flight two hours to Xian, tour the museum, visit the City Wall, and then head to the airport for dinner and to catch a two hour evening flight to Dunhuang.
Xian, for me it is all about the Terra Cotta Soldiers. Four years ago, on my first trip to the PRC and to see the Terra Cotta Soldiers, I wasn’t sure of what to expect. This time, there were images that I’ve had locked into my head that I missed and wanted to capture. Other than complying with the new “No Tripods Allowed” restrictions, I feel that I did better job, translating what I had in my mind’s eye into a digital image.
Back to chronicling the trip. The “pits” where the soldiers are located were a sauna; hot and not much air movement. Fortunately, the display is so impressive that your senses are at least overwhelmed and awed to the point that the heat and lack of fresh air momentarily take a back seat. After a couple of hours, though, it is time to move on and seek air conditioning.
That respite comes in the form of our tour director, Jason, saying, “It’s time to leave and get lunch.” the idea of ice tea sounds really good. Originally, our schedule called for our group to overnight in Xian but due to an airline schedule change, we altered our plans to fly in and out the same day. So the day is mainly geared to visit the Terra Cotta Soldiers. Once we finish lunch, there is barely enough time for a quick thirty minute visit to the Xian City Wall, drive to the airport to eat and catch the next flight. Hectic, but well worth the visit to see the Terra Cotta Soldiers.
Sam's Journal- Day 3 Beijing
Jul 15.
Our third day posts up morning visit to a park near the Temple of Heaven to see locals partaking in Sunday morning exercises, a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a quick walk through the Summer Palace, and then an Imperial cuisine dinner.
Sam's Journal- Day 2 Beijing
Jul 14
Next day the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square. We end the day with a Peking Duck dinner at Dadong and birthday cake to celebrate Rick’s and Bruce’s birthdays.
Sam's Journal- Day 1 Beijing
Jul 13. The California contingent has dinner at a restaurant nearby the hotel. A walk through the night market. The Michigan flight is on time and the Hughes’ arrive at the hotel about 11 p.m.