Seductive Ancient Silk Road (4) Urumqi and Nalati Grasslands

It's the National Holiday starting today, not the same big celebrations like last year's 60th (see blog). However, there seems to be just as many people on holiday. Beijing is looking at its best as we come into the "golden season' here. However, I want to continue our travel along the Silk Road with a group we took recently, this time to the modern capital of the Xinjiang region, Urumqi, and to a lesser known area of unspoilt grassland Nalati.

Home-baked naan bread , fresh and hot from the oven, great smell and great taste, wonderful way to start the day!

And aren't those bagels....?

The Xinjiang museum in Urumqi is worth a visit to learn more about Uyghur culture - so many hats, and that's just the men's section!

 You can see lots of old musical instruments - not sure which came from the West and which from the East!

In case you don't read Uyghur or Chinese, they have signs in English too, fortunately.

No English here, but can you guess what it is? Free goodies given out, found inside the Men's room, and installed by the Rainbow Care Centre.

 
You can also see some strange sights on the road if you keep your eyes open (photo expertly taken by Nick as we drove by!) - yes it's real, live and not on a lead.

 And now on the road to the Nalati grasslands after a 2 hour flight west - quite different kind of traffic on the roads here, and more Kazakh people, not surprising since we were quite close to Kazakhstan.

Breathtaking views

The Nalati grasslands covering 400 sq km are one of the 4 largest grasslands in the world.

How would you like to live here? Very alpine looking.  Certainly cleaner air than in Beijing. We can help you come here and rent a yurt perhaps for the summer?

Sheep shearing 100% by hand

Whole family helps in collecting the wool

After several stages of cleaning, sorting, tamping and dyeing, the result is a beautiful felt rug - I bought one for my dining room

The local Kazakh community use the felt to line their yurts.

Last part next time!