After Pakistan, the longest route awaits us in the world's oldest continual civilisation - China.
We entered China at Xinjiang. From Taxkorgan, we headed for Kashi or Kasgar. The importance of this western frontier town grew from its location - as an oasis at the point where the northern and southern arms of the ancient Silk Road converged. This is where traders sell fine silk, intricate lace, knives and local handicraft at colourful stalls,providing a fascinating glimpse of local life.
After Kashi we passed through Aksu and Korla then Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. Next isTurpan - a delightful town with a number of interesting sites, exuding an old world ambience, now rare in rapidly modernising China. From Hami, we drove to Dunhuang - home of the Magoa Caves and their magnificent Buddhist wall paintings. We also visited Jiayuguan, a small town at the far end of the Gansu Corridor, marking the western extremity of the Great Wall.
From the old administrative and garrison town of Wuwei, we proceeded to Lanzhou, a major industrial city and the capital of Gansu Province. Xian was next - one of the greatest cities in the history of Civilisation. We were accorded a traditional Tang Dynasty welcome at Xian’s north city gate. Although the Terracotta Warriors were the highlight of the visit, there was much else to see, including Xian’s Great Mosque and muslim enclave From Xian, we moved on to Sichuan. Chongqing, a city perched high on cliffs overlooking the confluence of the Yangtze and the Jialing Rivers proved fascinating. Our journey took us through Guiyang, Kunming, and Jinghong before reaching China’s border with Laos.
