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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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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Urumqi Travel Guide: The Xinjiang Gateway Before You Go South
Urumqi is Xinjiang’s capital and the natural gateway to the region, with Heavenly Lake, a mummy museum, and some of China’s best Silk Road grills.
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Kashgar Travel Guide: Sunday Bazaar and the Karakoram Road
Kashgar is the Silk Road city at China’s far west, with a lived-in mud-brick Old City, a legendary Sunday livestock bazaar, and the Pamir road beyond.
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Heavenly Lake Urumqi: The Mountain Tarn Below Bogda
Heavenly Lake near Urumqi: the shuttle system and ticket costs, Bogda Peak at 5445 m, what to do at the lake, when to go, and where to eat after
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Karakul Lake Kashgar: Mirrored Cones on the Karakoram Road
Karakul Lake at 3,600 metres near Kashgar: the drive up the Karakoram Highway, staying in a Kyrgyz yurt, altitude and permit notes, and what to eat on the Pamir road
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Kashgar Sunday Market: Food of the Silk Road
A working Silk Road market and everything worth eating in it: Xinjiang naan, lamb skewers, pilaf, samsa, tea houses, prices, timing, and the etiquette that matters
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Urumqi Food: Silk Road Grills and Naan
What to eat in Urumqi: cumin lamb skewers, tandoor naan, laghman and dapanji, with 2024 prices, the best night markets and honest trade-offs
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Xinjiang Food: Naan, Laghman, and Silk Road Spice
A Xinjiang food guide covering naan, laghman, lamb kebabs, and big plate chicken, plus the regional differences from Urumqi to Kashgar in the far west
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Tibet and Xinjiang Travel Permits Explained
Tibet and Xinjiang travel permits differ: Tibet needs an agency-issued Travel Permit and a guided tour, while Xinjiang cities take a standard visa with routine passport checks
