Since leaving Xian I’d travelled predominantly by night train. This was definitely convenient but by the time I reached Turpan in Xinjiang, over 2,300 kms from Xian, I felt I had no concept of the distance I’d travelled as I’d slept through it! Despite that it was absolutely clear I’d travelled a long way since
I looked out at the scene in front of me, speechless. Yes, the sand dunes were impressive but that wasn’t what had left me speechless. Instead it was all of the Chinese tourists walking around in bright orange plastic covers to protect their shoes from sand, and it was the long line of hundreds of
Heading further west across China stands the ‘First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven’ set on a stony plain between two mountain ranges . A great fort which in the past marked the westernmost limits of civilisation of imperial China. Beyond the fort were tribes who harassed the Chinese empire as well as the forbidding Taklamakan
Join me in Xian a food journey!! Xian’s Muslim quarter is full of colourful, interesting food and simply interesting things to see. It was an absolutely fascinating place to wander around and an even better place to eat!
I was excited to have reached Xian. Today Xian is a big, modern Chinese city but formerly it was known as Chang’an and this was the beginning of the Silk Road (or the end depending on your direction of travel). As my plan is to travel the Silk Road it now felt like my journey