Mingsha Crescent Lake: Dunhuang Dunes, Prices, and Timing
Crescent Lake at Mingsha in Dunhuang: entry, the best hour for light, whether the camel ride is worth it, and how to pair the dunes with the Mogao Caves.
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Labrang Monastery Xiahe: Walking Tibet in Gansu
A practical guide to Labrang Monastery in Xiahe, Gansu: the 3.5 km prayer-wheel kora, the six colleges, debating monks, altitude, access from Lanzhou, and food.
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Kuqa Grand Canyon: Red Rock Narrows in Southern Xinjiang
How to visit Kuqa Grand Canyon in southern Xinjiang: red sandstone narrows, flash flood safety, the Kizil Caves, getting there, and what to eat in Kuqa.
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Kumbum Monastery Xining: Birthplace of Tsongkhapa
How to visit Kumbum Monastery near Xining: the eight stupas, butter sculptures, debate yard, entry costs, and how to combine it with Qinghai Lake and Labrang.
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Jiayuguan Fort: The Western End of the Great Wall
How to visit Jiayuguan Fort, the western end of the Ming Great Wall: what the ticket includes, the Overhanging Wall climb, and a realistic one-day plan.
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Chinese Barbecue: Beyond Skewers to Whole Roasts
Chinese barbecue is four different traditions, from cumin lamb skewers in the north to Cantonese roast meat. Here is where each comes from and how to order it.
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Bingling Temple Gansu: The Grottoes You Reach by Boat
How to reach Bingling Temple by boat from Lanzhou, what the 420 AD Cave 169 inscription means, current ticket costs, and the season that keeps boats running.
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Xi’an Travel Guide: Warriors, Walls, and the Muslim Quarter
Xi’an pairs the Terracotta Army with a rideable city wall and a halal Muslim Quarter. This two- or three-day guide covers the sights, trains, and street food.
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Xiamen Food: Fujian’s Soft, Savory Coast
Xiamen food guide: Fujian’s light seafood cooking, the mianxian hu vermicelli soup, oyster omelette, sha cha noodles, and where to graze off the tourist strip.
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Wuxi Travel Guide: Taihu Views and Braised Ribs
Wuxi on Lake Tai in Jiangsu offers lakeside gardens, the Jichang Garden, and famously sweet braised pork ribs. Here is how to plan a relaxed visit.
