Xining: Silk Road Hub

Posted September 10, 2016 by Jan
China: Silk Road

Xining

Qinghai Province

China

September 10, 2016

 

Xining is a city with a history of more than 2000 years.  It was a vital link to Tibet to the south and to the city of Lanzhou to the east. 

Xining lies in the Hexi Corridor and served as a transportation and trading hub for the ancient Northern Silk Road route.  The city now serves as a hub for the Modern Silk Road providing connections to multiple-lane highways and bullet trains in all directions.

Tongren: Town and Temple

Posted September 9, 2016 by Jan
China: Silk Road

Tongren (pop 257,000)

Qinghai Province

China

September 9, 2016

 

The Longwu Tibetan Temple and Monastery is the main site in Tongren.   I saw very little of it.  In fact, I almost missed it. 

I stroll from my hotel towards the Temple along the main street but as usual, I am seduced by shops and shopkeepers and the local population at work or at leisure.

Gansu Province: On the Road

Posted September 8, 2016 by admin
China: Silk Road

On the Road

Gansu Province

China

September 4, 2016

 

Here's the thing I love about Independent Travel:

When I’m On the Road, I’m on the Road.  I never know what I'll find.

Early today, it's a Livestock Market.  Herders transport their cows or sheep or goats for sale or trade.  Others come on a motorbike and buy a chicken for dinner.

Later today, I find two Minority Villages somewhere in the remote hills of Gansu Province. 

Bingling Temple

Posted September 7, 2016 by Jan
China: Silk Road

Bingling Temple

Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture

Gansu Province

China

September 3, 2016

For more than a millennium, the Bingling Temple was a work in progress.  Inside natural caves and grottoes, artists and craftsmen carved their venerated Buddha statues according to the current stylistic attributes.

I suppose it takes a lifetime of research and scholarship to ascribe the origin of a carving to a definite century or dynasty.

Lanzhou: Night market

Posted September 6, 2016 by Jan
China: Silk Road

Lanzhou

(pop 2.1 Million)

Gansu Province

China

September 2, 2016

Hello,

When I return to China, I will head straight for Lanzhou and then directly to the Night Market.

The Muslim Halal Night Market is crowded and fun.

At one stall I purchased a portion of seasoned potatoes that were the best I have ever eaten.

Next time I'll try the fish and vegetable stir fry.  

Or maybe a lamb kebob or two

Jan

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