Author: karl

A first-hand guide to Gongliu Xinjiang and the Xinyuan grasslands: when to go, how to reach the Ili Valley, yurt homestays, Kazakh food and a 3-day loop.

An honest Urumqi city guide from a writer who walked the capital: what to eat, how to survive the two-clock time trap, and the best Tianshan day trips.

This Turpan city guide covers where to sleep, eat and beat the heat in China’s hottest oasis town, plus how to base yourself here beyond the famous ruins.

Drive the Pamir Plateau circuit from Kashgar: Karakul Lake, Tashkurgan and the 600-bend Panlong road. Permits, route stages and tips from two recent trips.

Gurbantunggut Desert guide: crossing China’s second-largest desert on the G216, spring wildflowers, snow dunes, wild horses, plus access and safety tips.

Ebinur Lake guide: the shrinking salt lake of northwest Xinjiang, with how to get there from Jinghe on a day trip, the best time to visit and what to see.

Fuhai in Xinjiang holds Ulungur Lake, a huge inland sea near Altay. Winter fishing, the Golden Coast beach, perch dinners and how to get there, tested.

Wuqia travel guide to China’s westernmost town: the last sunset near Simuhana, the Irkeshtam border, Kyrgyz food, permits and easy day trips from Kashgar.

Artux travel guide from two real visits: Shipton’s Arch hike, fig-season bazaars, Sultan Satuk mazar, trains from Kashgar, hotels, food and honest tips.

A first-hand Yecheng travel guide to Kargilik: how to reach this Karakoram gateway, the G219 zero-km marker, walnut country, best season and honest tips.