From Zhongdian we flew to Kunming, where we
spent a few lazy days, and said goodbye to Katie & Ali's parents who were
heading on to Hong Kong. We then flew north to the capital of Gansu Province, Lanzhou.
Lanzhou sits alongside China's second great river, the Huang He (Yellow River).
It was a relatively impressive sight (seen here, above centre, from the cable
car leading across to Baita Shan Park) flowing swiftly and muddily eastwards.
These statues (above left) stand on the riverside promenade. They commemorate
the famous Journey to the West, the journey to India (and back) of
Xuanzang the Monk. In the fictional version he's accompanied by Monkey, Pigsy
and Sandy. Freda and Edie loved this as they are big fans of the 'Monkey Magic'
cartoons on CCTV! Lanzhou is apparently the most polluted city in the world -
we're not sure of the veracity of this statement, but Ali certainly noticed a
clogging of his sensitive bronchial tubes during our short stay here! The city
has some great street-food though (Muslim lamb kebabs and sheeps heid). We
bought sleeper tickets for the overnight journey to Jiayuguan and moved on...
JIAYUGUAN
Jiayuguan is strategically situated at a (not very obvious) pass which used to
mark the western limit of the Chinese Empire. Here is the westernmost outpost of
the Great Wall, which turns southwards from the Hei Shan mountains to the
north and crosses, and guards, the pass at the Jiayuguan Fort (above).
The eastern end of the wall is over 5000km away at Shanhaiguan.
We found a great wee hotel, the Taihe Shanzhuang, inside the grounds of the
Fort.
We wasted no time in exploring the Fort. The views from the battlements were of
barren stony desert for miles on end (above left). It is easy to see why anyone
once banished from the Empire might feel a bit depressed about having to head
out west into that barbarian landscape. Lesley taking aim (above right) at a
Tour Group Leader - the flag always makes them an easy target...
Actually, it wasn't too touristified here, though we were seduced into letting
the girls have a shot at on a camel. This proved to be good practice for later
events at Dunhuang!
Staying within the Fort was a good move. Here is the West Gate at sunset.
Jiayuguan Fort battlements
We also visited the Overhanging Great Wall, a recently restored section of wall
in the Hei Shan mountains not far from Jiayuguan.
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