cokesmith

Traveling the Silk Road is fascinating, and this is why some intrepid travelers make to China's Xinjiang Province. But very few travelers venture too far off the ancient road in search of what Xinjiang can offer. We spent a couple weeks in Xinjiang very recently (like last week!) exploring the wild side of the vast region. After being completely lost in the Lop Nur Desert for nearly three days, and wilderness camping in some of the most spectacular places on Earth, we came back with a deeper appreciation of wild China. Of course we explored the Silk Road a bit, but we loved seeing Xinjiang's wildlife and wild places so much more. What a special place on this earth. Take a look at our most recent China adventure travel series in the link below. I think you will enjoy it! (It's long but it's a nice photo-essay)

Cheers,

Coke, Som and Cokie

http://cokesmithphototravel.com/expe...-xinjiang.html

hawaiiantraveler

SPECTACULAR SHOTS!!!

OMG!!!

Wow Coke, looks like you are getting the most out of your China stay. Your family is very fortunate to be able to experience these places you travel to and so are we through your wonderful reports here. The desert shots were unbelievable! Nobody around for miles it seemed....the whole place to you and nature. Who would think there is somewhere like that in the land of a billion people. Stark contrast to when we met in Shanghai,lol.

Can't wait till you move into SE Asia to see whats next,lol

Aloha!

Kathie

Thanks for sharing your account and the marvelous photos. The vast empty spaces were amazing to see.

cokesmith

Thanks! Yes it was an epic trip - one of our all time favorites for sure. We've really enjoyed our "China years" but at the same time we're looking forward to some new adventures in SE Asia starting next year. Hope to continue the adventure trend! (and to breath some clean air for a change...;-))

Cheers!

Coke

Shanghainese

Coke: Wow and WOW! Wild Xinjiang of Wild China!! This is just incredible, the rare photos and the fantastic report, you and your family are so generous to share this terrific experience with us.

DH and I can't wait to see you, Som and Cokie next month!

cokesmith

Same here! I can't remember - did we set an exact date yet? Either way, we'll get together!

Shanghainese

Coke and Som: Not yet, please check your email.

Hanuman

Wow thanks for the report and photos! A part of China that I don't know much about so very exciting to see it.

Cilla_Tey

Great photos. A trip my husband would enjoy but for me I need my en-suite!

HappyTrvlr

We did avlot of the Silk Road, incredible sites, history, culture. En suite is available!

cokesmith

Indeed - so much to see and do. After Dunhuang and Jiayuguan however, we were satisfied and avoided other tourist stops. Although Turpan was nice for a half day. We thrive on the wild areas and wildlife though. Maybe one day we will make it to southern Xinjiang and get in to the Pamirs and Taklamakan deeper...and a day in Kashkar maybe...

jobin

Lest we all forget, Xinjiang is undergoing a massive 'remodeling' courtesy of the Beijing government. Remodeling to render the historical local population of Islamic Uighars obsolete and impotent. Not unlike the USA's treatment of the Native Ameri-Indians, such as the Sioux, Navahoo and Cherokee tribes. The long time residents of Xinjiang are day by day being reduced to tears and cultural elimination. Sure, it's beautiful place to visit, but not so nice to live in if you are not Han Chinese.

cokesmith

Jobin, I could not agree more. What the majority are doing to Xinjiang and Qinghai...and another province(I dare not write it here).... is sad beyond words - both the culture destruction AND the unparalleled environmental destruction, the likes of which I have never seen anywhere else on earth. But an interesting note - we noticed so many of the Uyghur, Kazakh and Mongol folks we came across were overtly happy, friendly and cheerful. The majority population conversely was basically the opposite - very openly curt, angry and seemingly very unhappy....This observation was based on our short stay, so take it for what it's worth, but we all actually mentioned this observation more than once during our trip...