Capital of Xinjiang since the 19th century, Urumqisits amidst beautiful scenery, with the snow-laden Tianshan Mountains to the east. Today a growing metropolis with a population of one million, Urumqiis a modern Chinese city, with designer stores and high-rises. Many Han Chinese have settled here since 1949, and the population is now half-Han and half-ethnic minorities including Uighur, Manchu, Kazakh, Mongolian, and Tajik.

No longer a remote outpost, Urumqiwas finally connected to Central Asia and Europe after the Urumqi-Almaty rail line was built in 1991. Most visitors come to see Tian Chi (Heaven Lake) but the city has other attractions such as its lively markets and the fascinating mix of ethnic peoples. The fine Xinjiang Provincial Museum devotes a section to archeological finds, especially from around Turpan, including some preserved corpses, silk paintings, and lovely brocades. The museum also has a section dedicated to local peoples and includes gers, jewelry, and traditional clothes. Up on a hill in the north of the city, the scenic Hong Shan Park is surmounted by a small 18th century pagoda, and offers wonderful views.

Imin Ta

This is perhaps the most interesting of Turpan’s numerous mosques because of its old minaret (Imin Ta), constructed in 1778, that rises like a stout but graceful chimney beside it. Built by Prince Suleiman in honor of his father, Prince Emin, the minaret is broad at the base and tapers toward the top. Designed in the Iranian style with some elaborately decorative brickwork, its staircase was closed in 1989.

Jiaohe Ruins

Although less important and smaller than Gaochang, the ruins of Jiaohe are better defined. Jiaohe was founded as a garrison town but came under Uighur jurisdiction in the 6th century. It was finally abandoned during the Yuan era, perhaps due to failing water supplies. The ancient city occupies a spectacular position on a steep plateau, with its street plan clearly visible, and is well worth a visit.

Returning from Jiaohe, visitors can stop-off to see the karez irrigation site. Used throughout Xinjiang, this ingenious system of irrigation taps into natural underground water sources by using a network of subterranean tunnels which channel water to the fields. Wells, dug at intervals along the length of the tunnels, bring water to the surface.

Grape Valley

A surprisingly attractive desert oasis to the north of Turpan, Grape Valley (Putao Gou) is best visited in the height of summer. With vines and trellises bulging with grapes, it is a pleasant place to stop for lunch, with plenty of grapes and raisins to eat (for a fee). There is a winery nearby, as well as brick silos for drying the grapes.

Although blessed with very few sights, Qinghai’s captial, Xining, is home to a city mix of minority peoples, mostly Hui Muslims and Tibetans with a sprinkling of Kazakhs and Mongols. From the 16th century, it served as a stopover on the Silk Road’s lesser-used southern route, and is now a good base for exploring Qinghai. Xining lies in a remote valley, and, at 2,200 m, experiences a cool summer and freezing winter. The Great Mosque, one of the largest and most impressive in northwest China, is situated on Dongguan Dajie, close to the city center. Restored recently, it was originally built in the 14th century, and is thoroughly Chinese in design, with elements such as flying eaves and vividly-colored arches. Enclosed within is a public square, that is usually bustling with worshipers.

In the far north of town, across the Huangshui River, the Daoist Bei Shan Si sits atop a hill and is the focus for a pleasant afternoon’s hike. The route, via stone steps and across wooden walkways, passes numerous cave shrines decorated with Daoist symbols.

Xining’s ethnic mix is best appreciated at Shuijing Xiang Market, in the west of city off Xi Dajie, where over 3,000 stalls sell all manner of provisions and food, especially hot breads, mutton dishes, and kabobs. It is also a good place to stock up on snacks before heading off on a trip to Qinghai Hu, to the west of city.

In the far west of Qinghai Province, Golmud is perched at 3,000 m in the forlorn Tibetan plateau. The only sizable city for several hundred miles, it is the second largest city in the Qinghai province after Xining, with a largely Han Chinese population. Today, it acts mainly as a transit point between Xining, Dunhuang, and Lhasa.

The city’s bus service which runs to Lhasa in Tibet is currently the only overland public transport that non-Chinese visitors are officially permitted to use to get there. The trip is not particularly cheap, as tickets can only be purchased through the tourist office at a fairly hefty markup. The bumpy ride takes about 25 hours on a tough road across high passes. Temperatures drop well below freezing point at night, and it is strongly recommended to take provisions and warm clothing. An alternative route out of Golmud is to take a landcruiser tour into some of the remoter parts of Xinjiang.

The city itself is largely unappealing, although the surrounding lunar-looking landscape has a rugged charm best appreciated on the way out. A 1,000-km railway line is being built from here to Lhasa scheduled to be completed by 2010. Tibetans fear the line will bring an influx of Han migrants to Lhasa.

Baita Shan Gongyuan

To the north of the river, near Zhongshan Bridge, is Baita Shan Gongyuan (White Pagoda Hill Park). It takes its name from the 13th-century pagoda, Bai Ta, which was built as part of a temple at the hill’s summit. Steps have been carved into the steep slopes, while the walkways are dotted with teahouses, mosques, a plant nursery, and assorted pavilions. Chairlifts take visitors to the top from inside the park, or from town, on the other side of the river.

Baiyi Si

Baiyi Si, with its temple and accompanying stupa, was built during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). It is situated just a few hundred feet to the east of busy Jinchang Lu, on the north side of Qingyang Lu. The small temple’s unusual location, dwarfed by the towering and swanky department stores of Lanzhou’s main shopping district, makes it appear strikingly out of place, and worth a visit for this alone. Also worth seeing are the bronze chariots, with horses and attendants, from a tomb in the same area, as well as a fine collection of Yangshao pottery dating from the late Neolithic period. Other relics include Silk Road carvings, wooden spills, statuary, and writing tablets. In the garden, a mock tomb recreates burials in the Jiayuguan area in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries. Finally, a large exhibit commemorates the Long March.

Lan Shan Gongyuan

South of the city, Lan Shan Gongyuan (Lan Shan Park) can be reached by chairlift from Wuquan Shan Gongyuan. It is a 20-minute ride to the top, which is a pleasant place to escape the summer heat. Popular at weekends, it is a great spot to watch the sunsets, as well as the city lights at night. An amusement park and several eateries are also located here. A trail leads to Wuquan Shan Gongyuan.

Mount Wudang is located in Danjiangkou City of Hubei Province of China. It is said Taoism was founded by Zhang San Feng here. The graceful scenery and grandiose Taoism palace form unique Mount Wudang Tourist Attraction.

Xuanyue Gate Memorial Archway
Entering the Mount Wudang, you are able to see the Xuanyue Gate Memorial Archway. It was carved by the stone. It is a precious historical relic.

Taihe Temple
Taihe Temple was built in 1412. The layout of the whole palace is ingenious.

Bronze Hall
Bronze Hall is the largest ancient copper building in China. Although pass 500 years, it is still splendid so far.

South Rock Palace
South Rock Palace is the most beautiful place of Mount Wudang. There are 500 lifelike iron statues in the palace. There are pavilions, stone pillars, the cliff, the pond etc outside the palace.

Wudang Kung fu
Here is not merely the birthplace of Taoism, or the homeland of the Wudang Kung fu. The Founder of Wudang Kung fu, Zhang San Feng is a legendary Taoist priest.

Mount Taishan is located in the middle of Shandong Province of China. A lot of emperors came to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to Heaven in ancient times, so this improved the status of Mount Taishan.

Lection Stone Valley
On a stretch of stones ground, carved Diamond Sutra of more than 1000 words. There is a stone pavilion in the west of it.

The Heavenly Southern Gate
Visitors mount South-Sky Gate, gaze into the distance, will have a sense of ascending in the cloud.

Eighteen Bends
It is a very arduous journey to climb Eighteen Bends, because Eighteen Bends is very precipitous. Look from the foot of the mountain, it is just like a ladder leading to the sky.

Mount Taishan Sunrise
“Sun rising in the eastern sky” It is the most pleasant view of Mount Taishan. Cloud and fog mix together at dawn, seem to be like sea, red sun jumps out of the sea. What an amazing scenery it is!

Grand Mount Tianshan is located in Xinjiang of China. The climate here is cold, so Mount Tianshan is covered by the ice and snow throughout the year. Moreover, here is the biggest glacier area in China. The peaks liking sharp sword pierce into the sky.

Tianchi, Mount Tianshan
Snow melt forms Tianchi. Tianchi tourist attractions regards Tianchi as the center, merge forest, grassland, snow mountain, form the peculiar scene.

Glacier Landform
Tianshan glacier is one of eight major glaciers in the world. Sparkle in the sunshine.

Mount Tianshan Basin
There is much basin in Mount Tianshan. Soil is fertility; abundant water and grass are feeding hundreds of thousands livestock.

Mount Tianshan Saussurea Involucrata
Saussurea involucrata is the famous unique plant in Mount Tianshan. Saussurea involucrate meaning is lotus flower in the snow. Saussurea involucrata is considered as the holy plant. It can cure disease and promotes longevity.

A small oasis city, Dunhuang once prospered as the last stop on the Silk Road before it split north and south to skirt the Taklamakan Desert. It is a pleasant settlement that has achieved a certain level of prosperity, primarily through acting as a base for visiting the famous grottoes at Mogao, a short distance away. The city caters for its foreign visitors and has several restaurants and budget hotels. The only items of interest at the Dunhuang County Museum (Xian Bowuguan) are a few Chinese and Tibetan manuscripts, from Mogao’s famous Cave 17, which escaped the looting of explorers and archeologists. The museum also has examples of traditional silks and domestic items found near the beacon towers that were once part of China’s outermost line of defense. There is a souvenir night market every summer evening along the city’s main thoroughfare, Dong Dajie. The range of items on sale includes leather shadow puppets, Chinese scroll paintings, jade items, coins, Tibetan horns, and Buddha statues.

Just 5 km south of Dunhuang is Yueya Quan (Crescent Moon Lake), a small freshwater lake that has been a vital source of water here for thousands of years. It lies adjacent to the Mingsha Shan (Singing Sand Mountains), which tower several hundred feet high. The dunes were named after the noise made as the grains of sand are crunched under foot. For some remarkable views, visitors can climb the dunes – preferably in the cool of the evening. There is also a range of activities, including paragliding, sand tobogganing, and camel rides. A small folk art museum lies nearby. Situated in the middle of fields about 4 km west of Dunhuang is the nine-story Baima Ta (White Horse Pagoda). This Tibetanstyle dagoba was built in memory of a horse belonging to the monk, Kumarajiva, who came from the Silk Road kingdom of Kuqa. The horse died here in AD 384

The Cave Paintings of Dunhuang are protected by their relative isolation, the cave paintings at Dunhuang form the most fascinating repository of Buddhist art in China. For over 700 years, between the 4th and 11th centuries AD, Buddhist monks excavated and painted these caves, until invasion and the encroachment of Islam brought work to a halt. The paintings were all but forgotten until 1907, when the explorer Sir Aurel Stein stumbled across the caves and the Daoist priest who guarded them, Wang Yuanlu. Among the many thousands of items uncovered by Stein is the Diamond Sutra, the world’s earliest printed book (in scroll form), and many of the patterns used by the monks to reproduce paintings at will.

The Mogao Caves were dug into cliffs that rise out of an otherwise largely flat and featureless desert landscape. Getting there is relatively easy, if you are travelling independently, as Dunhuang is crawling with minibuses. As usual they wait until every seat is taken before setting off, but the half-hour journey is cheap. Remember that the caves are closed between 11:30am and 2:30pm.

Of the six hundred surviving caves, only about thirty are open to the public. The entrance fee includes a Chinese-speaking guide, although it is worthwhile, for an additional fee, engaging an English-speaking guide, as the tour party is likely to be smaller and the choice of caves less rigidly laid down. The guides are generally fairly knowledgeable about the history of the caves and the paintings and sculptures within. You are, however, recommended to take your own flashlight and to remember that photography is not allowed in the caves (without a very expensive permit), a rule that is strenuously enforced. The standard tour lasts half a day, and includes about fifteen of the caves as well as the museum, which exhibits some of the scrolls found here. It is also worth visiting the Research and Exhibition Center, where seven of the caves have been reproduced, permitting far closer scrutiny of the paintings than is possible in the original caves, albeit without the same atmosphere of antiquity. There is a simple guesthouse for those wishing to stay overnight; otherwise, the return journey to Dunhuang is by minibus, the last one leaving around 6pm.

Hello, everyone,

How time flies, 2010 has already come. In order to express gratitude to my readers, I made 2010 Chinese classic beauty calendar HD wallpaper. As 2010 New Year gift, 12 Chinese classic beauties will accompany you spending 12 months. If you are visiting my website, you can free download it from my network disk:

http://www.ziddu.com/download/7961047/2010HDChineseclassicbeautycalendarwallpaper.rar.html

Happy New Year!