I just returned from three weeks in Xinjiang-Uighur Autonomous Region, a really special place for photography (and other things).
My route took me from the capital Urumqi - Kashgar - Karakul - Tashkurgan (near Pakistan border) - back to Kashgar - Yengisar (South Silk Road) - Yecheng - Hotan - Niya - across the Taklamakan on the Cross Desert Highway - Korla - Turpan - back to Urumqi.
Urumqi, Kashgar, Karakul, Yengisar and Turpan see plenty of tourists. The remainder, particularly around Niya further south and all the way through the desert, are fairly remote and not touristed at all (even by Chinese it seems).
Xinjiang remains largely unknown to people not familiar with China, but is a treasure trove of things to look at, eat and do. Over the next several days, I'll post a few photos from each area I passed through and add a few comments about that photo.
**Note for this photo: This particular photo shows a local Kyrgyz man outside his concrete yurt preparing two of his camels for a journey. Karakul Lake is to my rear about 50m. Note the solar panel on the top of the yurt.
hi tim. i'd never heard of a concrete yurt until i actually saw them here. didn't see the inside of these ones, but they're right beside the felt ones we slept in. the felt ones are quite comfortable, and warm, and i've even seen photos of some where they're decked out with a stereo system and full range of electrical appliances :-)
i'll be passing my future trip ideas on to you very soon. take care ~ james
aiiiieee so much for the romance of the woolen yurt...haha...It is photos like this that make me want to tag along on one of your future pursuits. I am very interested in hearing more about your ideas on a trip there. In December i will be going to the Antarctic and then over to Patagonia on the Chile side. Torre Del Paine area.
Hi James, This is a great image of similar and contrasting shapes ... the sharp angles of the rock ridges, the point of the yurt, and the more rounded shapes of the camels. I didn't know that some people are building concrete yurts. Does this mean they are becoming less nomadic? Thanks for commenting on my Balloons and Fog 2 image. -- Naomi
Hi Alison. The people who live around Karakul Lake apparently don't stay here year round (so I was told). In winter, they make off with their yurts and animals and go elsewhere, probably to lower ground. As for making a living, in summer, they seem to make enough money from travellers who come by and look around. Any income would be derived from those travellers who stay the night, one night in a yurt costing RMB30 per person (about $4), and a meal costing RMB10. In winter, who knows? It's not expensive to live around this part of China anyway.
Great shot of the local life, I can't believe the solar panel, that is really great. The area really seems pretty desolate, how do they make a living there.?? Alison
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{K:49168} 8/25/2007