China (Shaanxi,Gansu & Xinjiang) May 2006

The Silk Road Map

Terra Cotta Museum, Xian, Shaanxi

Kanas National Geopark, Xinjiang

Erdaowan, Kanas Lake, Xinxiang

Kanas National Geopark, Xinjiang

Kanas Lake, Xinjiang

The Heaven Lake, Urumqi, Xinjiang

Ming Sha Shan, Dun Huang, Gansu

The Monkey God, Turpan, Xinjiang

The Big Goose Pagoda
Xian, Shaanxi

Urumqi, Xinjiang

Hua Shan, Xian, Shaanxi

" My 16 days in Northern Xinjiang, China - Xian, Turpan, Dun Huang, Urumqi & Kanas ( 9 - 26/5/2006 ) - following the Silk Road trail & taking a peep at the Kanas Lake "

Total expenses incurred (16 days) : RM2,926

Malaysian Airline Flight Itinerary (9-26 May 2006)
Booking Date: 5 April 2006
Depart KLIA: 11.00am 9 May 2006
Arrive Xian: 3.00pm 9 May 2006
Depart Xian: 3.00pm 26 May 2006
Arrive KLIA:9.00pm 26 May 2006
MAS Flight: FOC (MAS Frequent flyer points)
Fuel Tax: RM236
Travel Insurance: RM122
Visa Fee: RM40
Airport taxi: RM100
Train Tickets: Rmb766
Hostels: Rmb685
Airport bus: Rmb85
Food: Rmb935
Tour Packages + entrance fees: Rmb2,380
Currency Exchange: RM1.0=Rmb 2.0(Chinese Yuan)

This was my first overseas free and easy (backpacking) trip after my retirement in May 2006. I picked China as I had previously visited this country to places like the bigger cities of Beijing, Kunming, Shanghai & Guangzhou, mainly by package tours. My travel buddy for this trip was my first younger brother and as both of us are conversant in Mandarin so there was no communication issue especially in dealing with the general public.

Why Northern Xinjiang ? As I was looking for something different and exotic in China , I thought it would be exciting to follow the Silk Road trail which allowed me to get a feel of the old ancient trade route dating back to the Tang dynasty. This route starting from Xian to Kanas also took us to visit seven wonderful places which come under the "Wonders of the World" category:

Civilised Wonders of the World
1) Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Terra Cotta Warriors & Horses (Binmayong)
2) Mogao Grottoes
3) Big Goose Pagoda (DaYan Ta)

Natural Wonders of the World
4) Kanas Lake Nature Reserve
5) Karamay Dessert
6) Flamimg Mountains (HuoYan Shan)
7) Heaven Lake ( Tian Shan Tian Chi)

The entire journey covered three northern provinces of China (Shaanxi, Gansu & Xinjiang ) over a distance of 6,700km (to and return) from Xian to Kanas.

" Travel along the silk route by train in China is an adventure, long distance, arduous, vast climatic change etc - so be prepared for it but the return on investment for your travel is a delicious one"