China

In May of 2002 I traveled on a "Silk Road" tour of China. The trip involved plane, train, and bus travel between the cities of: Lanzhou, Jiajuguang, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Chendu, and Beijing. The silk road was especially interesting due the the many ethnic groups encountered; many who were Muslim (and write in Arabic characters). The local people I met in western China were the most friendly people I have encountered in all my travels. The photos below chronicle the journey (click on any image to enlarge).

Lanzhou	White Pagoda in Lanzhou	Great Wall, western terminus. Outside Jiajuguang.	Great Wall watchtower
Another section of Great Wall outside Jiajuguang	Night market in Turpan	Ancient city of Jiaohe, near Turpan	Uighur children outside Turpan
Reservoir outside Turpan	Kid holding kid	Kazak children	Inside of yurt; Urumqi
Panda breeding facility, Chendu	Holding baby panda	Giant Buddha (2nd largest in world)	Buddhist worship site
Tiananmen Square	Forbidden City, Palace Museum	Heaven's Gate	Great Wall outside Beijing
Ming Tomb	Summer Palace, Beijing	Summer Palace