" Bring along a 3C (China Dream, Curiosity & Courage) if you are keen to undertake a "Gobi desert safari" free & easy visit to Shaanxi, Gansu & Southern Xinjiang following the trails of ancient Silk Road - a modern Marco Polo style"
It was KM's "China Dream. My Dream" spirit that keep me coming back to China since my first package tour visit to Beijing, Tianjin & Chengde in 1997 ! This 2025 Xinjiang visit is my 28th trip to China, the 5th visit to Xi'an, the 3rd visit to Urumqi & the 2nd visit to Dunhuang ! The Southern Xinjiang visit is my first in China ! In 2006, I visited the Northern Xinjiang region. So plenty of excitement, anxiety, curiosity awaiting for me to use my 6 senses to explore & see Xinjiang in a greater depth considering its varied landscape, the Silk Road historical cities of Kashgar & Urumqi, exploring the Xinjiang culture, food & weather patterns etc.
Typhoon Ragasa (the world most powerful tropical storm, began on Sept 17 2025, maximum speed of 270km/hour) battered Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong & Southern China while we were in the midst of doing a modern "Gobi Desert Safari trip cum Ancient Silk Road trail" (totalled 29 days, August 27 > Sept 24 2025) using high speed trains (unlike the Marco Polo style of travel experiencing in the old era of 1271 > 1295 in Asia) & domestic flights. You could call it an adventure (when the going gets tough, the tough gets going) especially for 2 elderly travellers (aged 69 & 75) using a China Visa free entry of up to 30 days !
"The Silk Road was an ancient network of land & sea routes connecting the East & West from 2nd century BCE to the mid-15th century CE facilitating the exchange of silk, spices, technologies, religions like Buddhism & even diseases like the Black Death. Not a single road, this system fostered cultural, economic & political interactions, growing from China's Han Dynasty & influencing Europe & the Middle East, even though it eventually declined with the rise of maritime trade & the fall of the Mongol Empire, The ancient Silk Road network began in cities like Xi'an (formerly Chang'an), the ancient capital of the Tang Dynasty & extended treacherous terrains like deserts & mountains, eventually reaching the Roman Empire & other parts of Europe"
Here goes my bits & pieces of story & pictures on Silk Road starting from Xi'an, Shaanxi:
1) Xi'an, once known as Chang'an (Eternal Peace), it marks the Silk Road's eastern end & was home to the Zhou, Qin, Han & Tang dynasties. Chang'an was the capital during the Tang Dynasty (618 > 907AD).
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| The Bell Tower, Xi'an (1,384) |
2) Middle East & Arab influence in Xi'an - the old landmark of Great Mosque of Xi'an, the bustling & commercial streets of The Muslim Quarter & Huimin Street
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| Xi'an Great Mosque (742AD) |
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| The Muslim Quarter, Xi'an |
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| Muslim Food, Huimin Street, Xi'an |
3) Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an - built during the Tang Dynasty, the main venue for an eminent monk, Xuangzang of the Tang Dynasty to store the palm-leaf Sanskrit scriptures, Sarira, Buddha statutes he brought back to China from India & to undertake the translation of Buddhist scriptures which took him 19 years to complete this sacred task !
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Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Xi'an, Shaanxi |
4) The Frontiers - Tiemenguan Pass is a start point of the Old Silk Road, connects the Yanqi Basin & the Tarim Basin in central Xinjiang. The pass follows the gorge of the Kaidu River. Whereas Jiayuguan Pass is the western starting point of the Ming great Wall & also a vital pass on the ancient Silk Road, along with Juyong Pass & Shanhai Pass, it is one of the main passes of the Great Wall !
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| Tiemenguan Pass, Korla, Xinjiang |
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Jiayuguan Fortress & Garrison, Gansu
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5) Dunhuang Grottoes, Gansu - an oasis located at a religious & cultural crossroads on the Silk Road in Gansu province, nicknamed the "Library Cave", consist of 735 caves, more than 45,000 sq meters of murals & 2,415 colored sculptures of different size !
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Mogao Cave, Dunhuang, Gansu
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6) The rough & rugged ones - Mingsha Mountain (Dunhuang, Gansu), Tianshan Tomur Grand Canyon (Aksu, Xinjiang) & Pingshanhu Grand Canyon (Zhangye, Gansu) - think of the ancient Silk Road days, the brave explorers, monks, diplomats, Generals & army troops each had their own mission to accomplish, camping overnight passing through rugged terrains, snowy peaks & dry arid desert lands; the tough life of camel caravans transporting goods like salt, grain & textiles, soldiers living in outposts / fortress guarding against invaders in the wild wild west of the Gobi desert ..... do not complain if you are visiting city to city in Xinjiang using a modern high speed train transport in the present era !
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Aerial View of Xinjiang Landscape
Tianshan Mountain Range
Snowy Peaks / Gobi Desert
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| Mingsha Mountain, Dunhuang, Gansu |
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Tianshan Tomur Grand Canyon
Aksu, Xinjiang
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| Pingshanhu Grand Canyon, Zhanye, Gansu |
Well known personalities, statesmen, diplomats & eminent monks in China associated with the ancient Silk Road of yester years were:
1) Xuanzhang (Senior Monk) - a 7th century monk, scholar, & translator who journeyed to India from 629 > 645 CE to collect Buddhist texts & spread Buddhist teachings, his meticulously documented journey through Central Asia & the Indian subcontinent provided invaluable records of the culture, history & geography of the period & significantly contributed to the spread & understanding of Buddhism in China.
2) Zhang Qian (The Father of The Silk Road) - a Chinese diplomat, explorer & politician who served as an imperial envoy to the world outside of China in the late 2nd century BC during the Western Han dynasty, he was one of the first official diplomat to bring back valuable information about Central Asia.
3) Ban Chao - a Chinese General & Colonial Administrator of the Han dynasty (206 BCE > 220 CE) who re-established Chinese control over Central Asia & contributed greatly to ensure peace on the Silk Road.
4) Marco Polo - a Venetian merchant, explorer & writer from Italy, who travelled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 > 1295.
My last visit to various cities in Xinjiang, Gansu, Shaanxi & Qinghai provinces:
- May 2006 (Xi'an & Hua Shan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Buerjin, Kanas Lake & Demon City)
- Sept 2012 (Xi'an, Xining & Golmud)
- May 2015 Xi'an, Lanzhou, Urumqi, Almaty (Kazakhstan) & Biskek (Kyrgyzstan)
- May 2017 (Xi'an, Tiansui, Maijishan Grottoes, Hukou Waterfall, Kaifeng & Zhengzhou)
Travel itinerary:
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| Urumqi > Kashgar, Xinjiang (2,418km) |
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| Hami, Xinjiang > Xi'an, Shaanxi (2,173km) |
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Xi'an (by air)
- Xian > Urumqi (by air, 2,554km by train)
- Urumqi > Korla > Kuqa > Aksu > Kashgar (2,428km by trains)
- Kashgar > Hami (by air, 1,806km by train)
- Hami > Liuyuan > Dunhuang > Jiayuguan > Zhangye > Wuwei > Xi'an (2,173km by trains)
- Xi'an > Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (by air)
Total expenses incurred (29 days, 11 cities): Rm6,017 (US$1,400)
Total transport (airfares & trains) + hotel accommodation:
- Airfares (3 air tickets) - Rm1,369 + 549 + 413 = Rm2,331
- Trains (9 rides) - CNY898 = Rm538
- Hotels (28 nights) - Rm1,321
Day Tours + shuttle bus (free admission for senior 70+): CNY787 (Rm472)
- Aksu (Tianshan Tomur Grand Canyon, Cacun & Dolan Tribe) - CNY260
- Kashgar (Baishashan / Lake & Karakul Lake - CNY190 + 104
- Zhangye (Rainbow Mountain, Mati Grottoes & Pinshanhu Grand Canyon) - CNY233
Entrance fees + shuttle bus (UNSECO sites): CNY262 (Rm157)
- Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes - CNY100
- Jiayuguan - CNY32
- Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Spring - CNY130
Food: CNY680 (Rm408)
Metro / Bus / DiDI: CNY660 (Rm400)
Sundries: Rm384
- Power Bank - Rm56
- Sim Card - Rm46
- Travel Insurance: Rm112.50
- Groceries: Rm40
- Skybus to KLIA2: Rm10
- Medicine: Rm120
Exchange rate: Rm1 = CNY0.60, US$1 = Rm4.30
My travel buddy: KF Wong
Travel Highlights (covering 11 cities in Xinjiang, Gansu & Shaanxi, China):
1) Xian, Shaanxi, China
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Terra Cotta Army Museum
Linton District, Xi'an, China |
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Huaqing Chi, Lintong District
Xi'an, Shaanxi |
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Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Xi'an, Shaanxi, China |
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Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Xi'an, Shaanxi, China |
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| Xi'an Museum, Shaanxi, China |
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| Yongninmen, Xi'an, Shaanxi |
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Shuyuanmen (Ancient Culture Street)
Xi'an, Shaanxi |
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Bell Tower by Night, Xi'an, Shaanxi
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| Drum Tower by Night, Xi'an, Shaanxi |
2) Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
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Aerial View of Tianshan Mountain Range
& Gobi Desert, Xinjiang, China |
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International Grand Bazaar by Day
Urumqi, Xinjiang, China |
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International Grand Bazaar by Night
Urumqi, Xinjiang, China |
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Grand Bazaar Pedestrian Street
Urumqi, Xinjiang, China |
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Hongshan Pagoda
Hongshan Park, Urumqi |
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Hongshan Dried Fruit Market
Urumqi, Xinjiang |
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Hotan 2nd Street, Urumqi
Xinjiang, China |
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People's Square, Urumqi
Xinjiang, China |
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Shuimogou Scenic Area, Urumqi
Xinjiang, China |
3) Korla (Ku'erle), Xinjiang, China
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Swan River Scenic Spot
Korla, Xinjiang, China |
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Kongque Garden, Korla
Xinjiang, China |
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| People Square, Korla, Xinjiang, China |
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| Tiemenguan Pass, Korla, Xinjiang |
4) Kuqa, Xinjiang, China
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Kuche Ming & Qing Dynasty
Wall Remains Park, Kuqa, Xinjiang |
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Kuche Grand Mosque, Kuqa
Xinjiang, China |
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Kuche Royal Palace, Kuqa
Xinjiang, China |
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Big Nan City, Kuqa
Xinjiang, China |
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| Kuche Bazaar, Kuqa, Xinjiang, China |
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| Kuqa Old City by Night, Xinjiang, China |
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Kuche Wei Jin Site Museum
Kuqa, Xinjiang |
5) Aksu, Xinjiang, China
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| Aksu Old Street, Xinjiang |
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| International Bazaar, Aksu, Xinjiang |
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Kumarajiva Plaza, Aksu
Xinjiang, China |
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Tianshan Tomur Grand Canyon
Aksu, Xinjiang, China |
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Tacun, Tianshan Tomur Scenic Area
Aksu, Xinjiang |
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| Dolan Tribe, Aksu, Xinjiang, China |
6) Kashgar (Kashi), Xinjiang, China
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| Han Bazaar, Kashgar, Xinjiang, China |
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Kashi Old City Scenic Area
Xinjiang, China |
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| Kashi Old City Wall, Kashgar, Xinjiang |
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| Xiang Fei Tomb, Kashgar, Xinjiang |
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| People Square, Kashgar, Xinjiang |
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| Kashi Museum, Kashgar, Xinjiang |
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| Baishashan & Baisha Lake, Kashgar, Xinjiang |
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| Karakul Lake, Kashgar, Xinjiang |
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| Ancient City of Kashi by Night, Xinjiang |
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Old City Wall of Kashi by Night
Kashgar, Xinjiang |
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Kun Lun Tower by Night
Kashgar, Xinjiang |
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Old City of Kashgar by Night, Xinjiang
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7) Hami, Xinjiang, China
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| Hami Museum,, Xinjiang, China |
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Hami Cultural Museum
Xinjiang, China |
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Hami Melons History & Culture
Hami Cultural Museum, Xinjiang |
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| Altun Old Street, Hami, Xinjiang, China |
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| Hami Huiwang Mansion, Xinjiang |
8) Dun Huang, Gansu, China
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| Dunhuang Museum, Gansu |
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| Dunhuang Grottoes, XGansu |
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| Dunhuang Academy, Gansu |
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| Mingsha Mountain, Dunhuang, Gansu |
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| Crescent Spring Lake, Dunhuang, Gansu |
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| Dunhuang Night Market, Gansu |
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Danghe River Scenic Waterfront
Dunhuang, Gansu |
9) Jiayuguan, Gansu, China
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Jiayuguan Garrison / Fortress, Gansu
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The Overhanging Great Wall
Jiayuguan, Gansu |
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The First Beacon Tower
Jiayuguan, Gansu
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Donghu Ecology Tourism Area
Dolphin Shaped Meteorological Tower
Jiayuguan, Gansu, China |
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Nanshi Mosque, Jiayuguan, Gansu
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Jiayuguan City Museum, Gansu, China
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| Da Tang Gourmet Street, Jiayuguan, Gansu |
10) Zhangye, Gansu, China
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| Zhangye Museum, Gansu |
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Reclining Buddha, Dafosi Temple
Zhangye, Gansu |
Zhangye Colourful Danxia GeoPark
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| Mati Grottoes, Zhangye, Gansu |
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Pingshanhu Grand Canyon
Zhangye, Gansu |
11) Wuwei, Gansu, China
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Leitai Park, Wuwei
Gansu, China
 | Leitai Park Han Tomb
Wuwei, Gansu
 | | Confucius Temple, Wuwei, Gansu |
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| Xixia Museum, Wuwei, Gansu |
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Lousi Pagoda / Temple
Wuwei, Gansu
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Wuwei Museum, Gansu, China
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Dayun Si Temple & Bell Tower
Wuwei, Gansu
 | Haizang Si Temple, Wuwei, Gansu
 | Wuwei South Gate
Wuwei, Gansu, China
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