China 2013
We will be travelling in the Eastern Xinjiang Province of China from the Border with Krygyzstan to the Pakistan Border up the Khujerab Paass on the Karakhoram Highway linking Xinjiang to Northern Pakistan in the Himalayas.
We left Tash Rabat Caravanserai and was back on the A365 heading to Torugart Pass at 4.30pm. Tash Rabat was at an elevation of 3,200m. On the other hand, Torugart Pass is at 3,752m above sea level. The sun was out but the temperature was a cool 11°C.
Torugart Pass is also the Kyrgyz China border crossing point. As we were only scheduled to cross the border into China on 15th Aug, we would stay the night on the Kyrgyz side of the border and only cross it the next morning.
Such happy horses... on the A365, after the junction to Tash Rabat A Silk Road caravansari site in Kyrgzstan
Good paved road as we drive alongside the At-Bashy Mountain Range.
At an army/police check point. we told them that we would be crossing the border into China. After looking through our passport, they let us through. We are now 60km away from Torugart Pass.
Getting cloudier....as the sun sets ...at this altitudes up the Torugat Pass
Dark clouds hovering not to far away. Section of the highway to China border still under construction..
Torugart Pass is also the Kyrgyz China border crossing point. As we were only scheduled to cross the border into China on 15th Aug, we would stay the night on the Kyrgyz side of the border and only cross it the next morning.
Such happy horses... on the A365, after the junction to Tash Rabat A Silk Road caravansari site in Kyrgzstan
Good paved road as we drive alongside the At-Bashy Mountain Range.
At an army/police check point. we told them that we would be crossing the border into China. After looking through our passport, they let us through. We are now 60km away from Torugart Pass.
Getting cloudier....as the sun sets ...at this altitudes up the Torugat Pass
Dark clouds hovering not to far away. Section of the highway to China border still under construction..
Driving at 3305 metres .....An old landmark of an Eagle statue.....hopefully its not destroyed....
Snow capped mountains in the distance and thretening black clouds
Chatyr-Kul Lake with At Bashy Mountains in the background.
Snow capped mountains in the distance and thretening black clouds
Chatyr-Kul Lake with At Bashy Mountains in the background.
Mum taking a photo of her favourite scene... the sunset..
We are about 30km from the border now..
We stayed the night about 1km away from the customs check point. The next morning, we were up at 7.30am. We tried to start our Sorento, but she refused to start. We were worried as there were no workshops around and we had to cross the border today. The owner of the house that we were parked next to, saw us trying but failing to start our Sorento. He came over to have a look , showed us what we had to do. Dad repeatedly pressed down on the fuel pump in the engine compartment while I start the engine. Ta daa.. the engine started. What a relief...He explained that it is because of the low tempreture ....I assumed.... Thanking him we left to join the short queue at the check point. Of course thanking God too...
It was 8.30am, the check point gates were still closed but a policeman was around. He checked our passport and told us to wait. At 9.00am a policeman called dad to his booth and asked dad to pay a sum of money before they would open the gate to let us through.
It was 8.30am, the check point gates were still closed but a policeman was around. He checked our passport and told us to wait. At 9.00am a policeman called dad to his booth and asked dad to pay a sum of money before they would open the gate to let us through.
The group that was ahead of us had already gone through the gate. Thankfully, one of the guys in the group, whispered to dad not to pay anything and told dad that they did not pay anything. Dad stood his ground, after 15 minutes of insisting that there were no charges to be paid, the gates were opened and we went through.
At 9.30am we got our passport stamped and after checking that all the necessary stamps are in place, the final policeman waved us to go ahead.
We drove the less than 6km to the Chinese Border Gates.
We were at an altitude of 3,760m now. Temperature 12°C from -4 before we woke up this morning
Local Kyrgyz time was 9.50am. Time difference with China was 2 hours.
We drove the less than 6km to the Chinese Border Gates.
We were at an altitude of 3,760m now. Temperature 12°C from -4 before we woke up this morning
Local Kyrgyz time was 9.50am. Time difference with China was 2 hours.
Waiting for our guide at the China Border Date.
We are not allowed to drive on into China on our own without a guide.It would take a couple of hours before the guide comes along ,as the border is closed at lunch time. While we waited we took some photos of the surrounding and later prepared and ate our lunch.
We are not allowed to drive on into China on our own without a guide.It would take a couple of hours before the guide comes along ,as the border is closed at lunch time. While we waited we took some photos of the surrounding and later prepared and ate our lunch.
Mum insisted her photo be taken at the Border Monument
China Border Police checking our passports.
At 2.30pm (China time), we finally met up with our guide at the gate.
We were subsequently allowed to cross into China. Next, we drove for about 100km, went through a couple more check points (passport checks and mostly handled by our guide) before finally arriving at Tu Er Gate Immigration Check Point. Here our guide collected the paperwork for our Sorento, our vehicle fumigated and got our passport stamped.
With all the formalities completed, we continued our drive to Kashgar.
Here are some photos from our drive to the immigration check point further up.
Driving on gravel road for a short while.. Time stamp is still showing Kyrgyz time. Add 2 hours for China time.
Bactrian camel grazing near the S212 road to Kashgar.
Village with mud houses
We were subsequently allowed to cross into China. Next, we drove for about 100km, went through a couple more check points (passport checks and mostly handled by our guide) before finally arriving at Tu Er Gate Immigration Check Point. Here our guide collected the paperwork for our Sorento, our vehicle fumigated and got our passport stamped.
With all the formalities completed, we continued our drive to Kashgar.
Here are some photos from our drive to the immigration check point further up.
Driving on gravel road for a short while.. Time stamp is still showing Kyrgyz time. Add 2 hours for China time.
Bactrian camel grazing near the S212 road to Kashgar.
Village with mud houses
Kashgar
is a city in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, in China’s far west. It was once servedd as a main stop along the ancient Silk Road for 2000
years Kashgar is also the northern point of the Karakoram Highway connecting China and Pakistan.
Our Sorento parked in front of the Bank of China. Got to change some Chinese Yuen before we tour Kashgar city.
Lunch at Orda Restaurant
Our Sorento(left)parked outside Orda Restaurant, Khasgar City
Palao for lunch today.,very similar to the Plov we have had in Kyrgyzstan / Uzbekistan, with our guide, a young Uigher Muslim, University student.
Following the opening of Torugart Pass and Khunjerab Pass, various goods from other countries have found its way here. Our Guide taking us on a walking tour of the City Bazaars
Dried snakes for medicinal purposes....
Uigher Girl in her sunday best
Ice cream break....sweet vanilla
Mud houses falling apart.....
The most famous of the many descendents of Alaq Khoja is Iparhan. She was the only Uighur concubine of the Qing Dynasty Emperor, Qianlong. She is known by her Chinese name 'Xiang Fei' which means fragrant Imperial Concubine because of the fragrance that she exudes without the use of perfumes.
Uigher Girl in her sunday best
Ice cream break....sweet vanilla
Kashgar. Gaotai ancient mud homes Ancient mud brick homes, some of which are more than a hundred years old.
Mud houses falling apart.....
Alaq Khoja Mausoleum
Also known as the "Fragrant Concubine Hometown" is a family cemetery of a prominent Islamic leader in Kashgar. The Mausoleum was built in 1639-1640. It contains the tomb of 72 family members / descendents from 5 generations.
The most famous of the many descendents of Alaq Khoja is Iparhan. She was the only Uighur concubine of the Qing Dynasty Emperor, Qianlong. She is known by her Chinese name 'Xiang Fei' which means fragrant Imperial Concubine because of the fragrance that she exudes without the use of perfumes.
The mausoleum covers an area of about five acres. In addition to the Alaq Khoja's family tombs, the ground also has a cemetery for the local Uighur people and a couple of mosques.
Wooden muqarnas decorate the pillars holding up the ceiling to Upper Mosque
Flower pot bazaar along Areya Street
Areya street
Mattock Bazaar, also a place for iron products
Areya Road - Kashgar Old Town
In the olden days, Kashgar was the capital of the Shule Kingdom.
During that time, a flood was going to devastate the area and residents around the old town fled to higher ground. Coincidentally, a huge crack appeared on the ground, into which the flood waters flowed and saved the area from devastation. Areya Road was where the crack had appeared.
During that time, a flood was going to devastate the area and residents around the old town fled to higher ground. Coincidentally, a huge crack appeared on the ground, into which the flood waters flowed and saved the area from devastation. Areya Road was where the crack had appeared.
Our walk along Areya street starts from the Flower pot bazaar to Kantuman Bazaar
Flower pot bazaar along Areya Street
Local Uyghur ornate wooden carvings on windows and doors can be seen on this street. Some of the buildings on this street are centuries old. These are made from mud.
This old door must be from the Silk Road period.
Old style Inn, a heritage from the ancient Silk Road.
The Inn used to provide lodging and food for merchants and travellers passing through Kashgar.
Watching the blacksmith work his craft..
Kantuman bazaar is the place to go for iron works such as farming tools etc.
The skills have been passed down by the Uyghurs for generations.
The skills have been passed down by the Uyghurs for generations.
Areya street
Mattock Bazaar, also a place for iron products
Pumpkin growing right on the curb
Uigher wedding car
Huge Id Kah Mosque Square
Walking tour of the Old Streets of Khasgar, Aigezi Airike Street
Local berry Juice
This street market is packed with evening shoppers .
Spare parts soup, a local favourite. The man could not make them fast enough.
Fresh Yak meat...the yak tail is proof...
Leaving Kashgar City for Tashkurgan Town and to exit China at Pakistan Border on the KKH
Wupar' erzen Town
on the A314 to Pakistan Border is a popular tourist rest/stop area Town for breakfast or lunch or buying snacks and fruits before heading to the Glacial Mountains Lakes
Oytagh Red Mountain Valley, a range of unique multi coloured Mountains
Semi Precious Stones/Rocks that can be found in the glacial lake and mountains
Fruits and bread
Uighur tourists
Uighur Hats meeting Kyrgyzstan Hat
Oytagh Red Mountain Valley, a range of unique multi coloured Mountains
Gaining altitude
Bulung Kul Lake
Pamir Plateau Mountain Range at Bulung Kul Lake
Semi Precious Stones/Rocks that can be found in the glacial lake and mountains
TSnow capped Pamir Pleatau Peaks
Life is hard for this couple ...and the donkey too
At Kala Kule Or Karakul Lake at 3200 meters lies between the Mustaza and Gonger Peaks.
This Lake is a tourist ...must stop attraction, to see the Glacieral Mountains Range and its reflections in the dark blue water of Karakul lake
Note the reflection of the snow covered Mountain and Glaciers
Beautiful double hump camel near Karakul lake
So what ...who is trespassing ??
Old Uighur Graves and tombs.
Leave Karakul Lake for Tashkurgan Town
Mountains with Glaciers
On the way to Taskurgan Town 3855meters
on the KKH. The major last city before the Kungjerab Pass and the China Pakistan Border. Its a 2 hour drive up to the China Pakistan Border Arch at 4707 Meters in the Karakorum Mountain Range
This is where our guide will bid us farewell and wish us a safe journey. After Immigration and Custom clearance. We will drive on the KKH to Kungjerab Pass on our own and cross the border at the China Pakistan Border Arch into Pakistan 4753meters to Sost passed the Kungjerab Nature Reserve Park.??
The Yak Tail denotes its real Yak meat....
This is where our guide will bid us farewell and wish us a safe journey. After Immigration and Custom clearance. We will drive on the KKH to Kungjerab Pass on our own and cross the border at the China Pakistan Border Arch into Pakistan 4753meters to Sost passed the Kungjerab Nature Reserve Park.??
The Yak Tail denotes its real Yak meat....
The next morning we got back on the road for a 2 hour drive from Taskguran to Khunjerab Pass, China Pakistan Border
Approaching the China Pakistan Border Khunjerab Pass at an altitude of 4700m high. with the last Chinese Guard post to go past.
The final climb its here Our Sorento just died .......from earlier experience we know ...just give few minutes she will be bach running....its altitude sickness...! RPM was too low too....you know taking in the awesome sights...
China Pakistan Border at at the Khunjerab Pass at 4700m altitude Khunjerab Pass is a high mountain pass in the Karakoram Mountains. At over 4,600m Khunjerab Pass is the highest paved border crossing in the world. A scenic route, Khunjerab Pass is a high mountain pass in the Karakoram Mountains.
For anyone fond of driving, this is a must-drive from Hunza to Khunjerab Pass especially the locals
Our Sorrento got a China Lincence Plate .It Cost $$?
My Chinese Driving Licence dated 08 08 2013 to 19 08 2013 valid for 5 day drive from Krygykistan, Xianjiang and Pakistan
Crossing into Pakistan in the Himalayas.
Croatia 2012 to edit
Lake Pleivika
Here we are at one of the largest national park in Southeast Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Founded in 1949, the park is made up of 16 cascading lakes.
Taking a 8 km trek of the Pleiveka Lake
Taking the bus to the starting point of our walking trail.
We are walking the 'H' trail. Starts with the bus ride to the top (upper lakes), 5km walk, boat ride across the lake and a further 3km walk before taking the bus back to the starting point.
Golavacki buk waterfall at the Upper Lakes
Boat ride across the lake. Visit to the lake at this time of the year is pretty relaxing as there are not many tourist.
Here we are at the Big Waterfall Below
A Double rainbow at the end of the walk
Dinner at the Hotel
Tagliatelle with smoked ham and asparagus
Project for the day – photograph as many mushrooms in the Park as you can!
Dad took a photo of me hard at work photographing mushrooms! More will be posted
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