Dunhuang

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Jiayuguan

Day 9...


Travel Expenses
*** Total: 215RMB ***
Entry to Crescent Lake and Echoing-Sand Mountain: 80RMB
Camel Ride @ Crescent Lake and Echoing-Sand Mountain: 60RMB
Accomodation @ Feitian Guesthouse: 25RMB
Local Transport, Food and Others: 50RMB



Took a overnight train from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang
On the way, we can see the ground surface varies alot, from this that resembles that of a moon's surface


To flat sandy desert ground


Then shrubs start appearing gradually


And finally farmlands, signaling that the city is close now


Still in construction Dunhuang train station


Took a trip to the Crescent Lake and Echoing-Sand Mountain (Mingsha Shan), situated on the edge of the Gobi Desert


Echoing-Sand Mountain actually refers to the beautiful sand dunes of the Gobi Desert, so named because of the sound that you can hear in the night when strong wind blows against the top of the sand dunes


You can try a camel ride through the desert


And this was my camel =)




Surrounded by sand dunes




Creative shot =p


It is easier to climb to the top of the sand dunes using these stairs, although it is more fun not using them


One of the locals working there


More beautiful sand dunes




If u are going during noon, be reminded to wear shoes, as the sands can get really hot!


A dead tree that failed to survive the extreme conditions


Small temple in the midst of the sand dunes


Towards evening, the sands are much cooler and walking bare-footed is much more fun!


I thought this makes a good mineral water advertisement poster, wat do u think? Haha...
~ View Picture on Flickr ~


My footprints up the sand dune
~ View Picture on Flickr ~


Aerial view of the temple


And of small Crescent Lake


Many desert lizards scrambling around


Overnight, these footprints will disappear and next day you will see...


A beautiful sand dune again after a night of "repair" by the howling wind


It kinda looks like the Great Wall of China seen from far, isn't it?
~ View Picture on Flickr ~







Day 10...


Travel Expenses
*** Total: 392RMB ***
Bus to Mogao Caves and back: 8RMB + 8RMB
Entry to Mogao Caves: 160RMB
Bus from Dunhuang to Liuyuan: 20RMB (128km)
Local Transport, Food and Others: 45RMB

Overnight Train from Liuyuan to Daheyan (For Turpan): 151RMB
>>> Click for more trains details <<<
                ~ Train Code: T193
                ~ Type: Hardsleeper Lower Berth (Aircon)
                ~ Departure: 0032
                ~ Arrival: 0742
                ~ Travel Time: 07Hrs 10Mins (682km)


*Overland Distance Covered So Far: 4,279km



豆漿油條 for breakfast


Took a trip to Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site


The grottoes were really magnificient and stunning! But too bad cameras are not allowed in the caves... =/


A temple embedded within the caves


Each of the caves are now locked behind a door, and a guide is required to bring you to the various caves (usually only 10 caves, which are rotated frequently)


Amazing wall paintings in one of the caves


These statues are carved out from the caves, absolutely stunning considering that they were constructed more than 15 hundreds years ago!


Back to town for lunch, and locals recommended me to this restaurant


Where u can try the popular donkey meat! They tasted somewat like beef haha...


Very nice view along the streets


We got to Liyuan to catch our train to Turpan, only to realise that our train was cancelled due to a sandstorm! But luckily, we were able to exchange our tickets for another train that was going go Turpan too, though I wonder how the other train is able to get thru the sandstorm haha...

~~~~~ Next ~~~~~
Turpan and Urumqi