Xijiang Miao Village: The Thousand-Household Terrace Town
Xijiang Miao Village in Guizhou: a thousand stilt houses on the terraces, Miao silverwork and sour soup fish, the best season, and rail access from Kaili.
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Sayram Lake Xinjiang: The Blue Lake at the Foot of the Tianshan
Sayram Lake in Xinjiang: the blue alpine lake below the Tianshan, the Guozigou approach, yurt nights, the flower season, and getting there from Urumqi.
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Resonant Sand Bay Ordos: The Dunes That Hum
Resonant Sand Bay in Ordos: the humming dunes of the Kubuqi Desert, how the sand makes its sound, what the resort costs, and how to get there from Hohhot.
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Tarim Poplar Forest: Autumn Gold Along the Desert River
The Tarim poplar forest turns gold for about two short weeks each autumn. Here is when to go, how to reach Luntai from Korla, and what the park costs.
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Norbulingka Lhasa: The Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas
Norbulingka in Lhasa: the Dalai Lamas’ summer palace and walled gardens, which buildings to see, tickets and opening hours, and how it pairs with the Potala.
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Mount Fanjing: The Two Temples on a Cloud Summit
Mount Fanjing in Guizhou: two temples on a split summit, the Mushroom Stone, cable car and stair routes, ticket prices, the daily cap, and rail from Tongren.
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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.
