Xian to Jiayuguan

Well, arrived back in Townsville Tuesday 21 at 11 am after getting up in St Petersburg 6.30 am Sunday and on the go since then. However not too exhausted as had a reasonable rest on the long leg Frankfurt to Singapore. I will continue the blog as tho we were entering it at the time.


Friday 26 September

This day we moved on from Xian to Jiayuguan 1393 ks so it took a day with sleepover on the train. Much was at night of course, but the daytime part was pure China scenery.








We were met at the station by the Retired Ladies Drum Band. A few of our group took their time getting on the bus and took some photos, not realsing the ladies were not going to stop until eveyone was on the bus.
We were also applauded into the hotel like visiting politicians (and out again the next day).




Jiayuguan is famous for being at the Western end of the Great Wall, although what you are taken to looks very 20th or 21st century.
Stretching out from the wall is the western end of the Gobi Desert which looks as dry as you have always been lead to believe. Margaret made it to the top but I gave it a miss as there were no hand rails for me to swing myself up with.






This chap, who is perched on the approach, took her photo with the wall in the background, printed it and laminated it. Enterprising chappie.


The fort associated with the western end of the wall is also mostly modern. However next day on the way out there is a bit of the original wall which crosses the railway which could be seen.






Jiayuguan is a new town built around steelworks so is nearly as smoggy as Beijing. But on a clear morning the snow capped mountains of the Qillan Shan are not far away.


More China scenery past Jiayuguan



Yet more desert