3 days in ShangHai and HangZhou

AnHui province.

Beautiful ...

With Beijing Old Liu ... Xinjiang Visitor Guide: Natural Landscapes & Practical Travel Tips Xinjiang is one of China's most captivating and culturally diverse regions, offering travelers a mix of stunning landscapes, rich history, and a variety of ethnic cultures. From the vast deserts of the Taklamakan to the snow-capped Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang has something for every type of traveler, whether you're an adventurer, a culture seeker, or a nature lover. This guide provides an in-depth look at Xinjiang's natural wonders and offers practical travel tips to ensure a smooth and unforgettable visit. The Tianshan Mountains (Heavenly Mountains) Overview: The Tianshan Mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage site with dramatic alpine landscapes, including towering peaks, lush valleys, and pristine glacial lakes. The region is excellent for hiking, sightseeing, and experiencing the local nomadic culture. Key Highlights: Bogda Peak: A breathtaking snow-capped peak rising over 5,445 meters, ideal for experienced mountaineers. Tianchi (Heavenly Lake): A stunning alpine lake, perfect for day trips and boat tours, located about 110 km from Urumqi. It’s surrounded by spruce trees and offers picturesque hiking trails. Travel Tip: It is best to visit Heavenly Lake during late spring or summer (May-August) when the weather is most favorable, and the trails are accessible. Always bring layers as temperatures can drop significantly in the mountains. Taklamakan Desert Overview: The Taklamakan Desert, one of the largest shifting-sand deserts in the world, is known for its extreme beauty and harshness. Visiting this desert is an adventure in itself, where you can explore the golden dunes and see rare desert plants and animals. Key Highlights: Kumtag Desert: A dramatic expanse of sand dunes in the eastern part of the Taklamakan, easily accessible from Turpan. Yarkand Poplar Forest: A rare sight of poplar trees thriving in the desert. Visit in autumn for a golden spectacle as the leaves change color. Travel Tip: Be prepared for extreme conditions in the desert. Pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and lightweight, breathable clothing. It’s best to go with a guided tour or a local expert as navigating the desert on your own can be dangerous. Kanas Lake Overview: Located in the Altai Mountains, Kanas Lake is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, dense pine forests, and breathtaking autumn landscapes. It's a popular destination for hikers and photographers looking to capture the stunning seasonal colors and wildlife. Key Highlights: Kanas Nature Reserve: A pristine natural park home to wildlife such as snow leopards and elk. The area is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Kanas Monster Legend: Local myths speak of a mysterious creature lurking in the lake, adding a bit of intrigue to your visit. Travel Tip: The best time to visit Kanas is from June to September. In autumn (September), the scenery turns golden and is incredibly photogenic. Access is more difficult in winter due to heavy snowfall, but the area is still open for adventurous travelers. Ili River Valley Overview: The Ili River Valley is a picturesque region characterized by vast green pastures, rolling hills, and wildflower meadows. The valley contrasts beautifully with Xinjiang's deserts and rugged mountains, making it a favorite spot for nature lovers and photographers. Key Highlights: Nalati Grassland: A scenic area with endless pastures and colorful wildflowers in summer. Ideal for horseback riding and experiencing the local Kazakh culture. Lavender Fields: Famous lavender fields bloom in June, turning the valley into a sea of purple and offering a unique contrast to the green hills and blue skies. Travel Tip: Visit the Ili River Valley in late spring (April-May) or early summer (June) to see the lavender fields and wildflowers at their peak. Horseback tours are highly recommended to explore the vast grasslands. Karakul Lake and Pamir Mountains Overview: Located along the famous Karakoram Highway, Karakul Lake is one of the most beautiful high-altitude lakes in the world. Set against the backdrop of the snow-covered Muztagh Ata and Kongur mountains, it offers stunning reflections and an opportunity to witness the nomadic life of Kyrgyz herders. Key Highlights: Muztagh Ata Mountain: Known as the “Father of Ice Mountains,” it’s popular with mountaineers. The lake reflects the snow-capped peak beautifully. Nomadic Culture: Visitors can stay in traditional yurts and experience the simple lifestyle of Kyrgyz and Tajik herders. Travel Tip: The altitude at Karakul Lake is over 3,600 meters, so be prepared for high-altitude conditions and take time to acclimate. The best time to visit is from May to October, as the winters are harsh. Flaming Mountains and Turpan Basin Overview: The Flaming Mountains, located in the Turpan Basin, are famous for their red, flame-like appearance under the hot desert sun. This region is not only rich in unique landscapes but also home to significant historical sites, including ancient cities and Buddhist caves. Key Highlights: Gaochang Ruins: An ancient city that was once a major hub on the Silk Road. The ruins are a fascinating blend of history and desert scenery. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves: A series of Buddhist cave paintings dating back to the 5th century. A must-visit for history enthusiasts. Travel Tip: Turpan can get extremely hot in summer (up to 50°C), so plan to visit in the early morning or late afternoon. Bring plenty of water and sun protection. Practical Travel Information for Xinjiang When to Visit The best time to visit Xinjiang depends on the specific regions you plan to explore. In general, late spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the most pleasant weather for travel. The summer can be hot, especially in desert areas, but it is also the best time for visiting the mountains and high-altitude lakes. Transportation By Air: Xinjiang has several international airports, including Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (the main gateway), Kashgar Airport, and Kanas Airport. Domestic flights connect Urumqi with most major Chinese cities. By Train: The railway network connects Urumqi with other Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an. The journey is long but scenic, especially on the high-speed trains. Local Travel: To explore Xinjiang’s remote areas, it is highly recommended to hire a local guide or driver. Public transportation can be limited in the more rural regions, and self-driving is an option for those familiar with local road conditions. Accommodation Xinjiang offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels in major cities like Urumqi and Kashgar to guesthouses and homestays in rural areas. Staying in a yurt with local nomads in regions like the Ili Valley or Karakul Lake is a unique experience. Cultural Sensitivity Xinjiang is home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups, including Uighur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and Tajik peoples. Respect for local customs, particularly around religion, is essential. Many locals are Muslim, so it is important to be mindful of dress codes, especially in rural areas and when visiting mosques. Always ask for permission before taking photos of people or inside religious sites. Language Mandarin Chinese is the official language, but many locals, especially Uighurs and Kazakhs, speak their own languages. English is not widely spoken outside major tourist areas, so it’s helpful to learn a few basic phrases in Mandarin or Uighur, or have a translation app handy. Food and Cuisine Xinjiang is famous for its lamb kebabs, hand-pulled noodles (laghman), pilaf (polo), and naan bread. Uighur food is flavorful, with a blend of Central Asian and Middle Eastern influences. Be sure to visit the local markets in Urumqi or Kashgar to sample the regional specialties. Important Note: Always carry your passport and travel documents. Xinjiang has a heavy security presence, and travelers may encounter frequent security checks.

With Cyrus Janssen ... Comment by Gustavo Andrés ... There is an overwhelming assumption in the West that China’s Achilles heel is the state: that it lacks legitimacy. This is the underlying reason why Westerners believe that China’s transformation is unsustainable: that the political system cannot survive. It would be wrong to suggest that attitudes have not shifted: the endurance of the reform period, now over 35 years old, and the scale of its achievement have bred a growing if still grudging respect, and a less apocalyptic view of Chinese political change. Few now regard it to be imminent and many have extended their time horizons somewhat into the future. Nevertheless, most Westerners still regard China’s present political order as lacking legitimacy and as ultimately unsustainable. In the post 1945 period, Westerners have come to believe that Western-style democracy – essentially universal suffrage and a multi-party system – is more or less the sole source of a government’s legitimacy. This is a superficial and ahistorical position. Western-style democracy does not ensure the legitimacy of a regime in the eyes of its people: Italy is perhaps the classic example, with successive governments over a long historical period experiencing a chronic lack of legitimacy. And what of China? Although it does not have Western-style democracy, there is plenty of evidence – for example the Pew Global Attitude surveys and the work of Tony Saich at the Harvard Kennedy School – that the Chinese government enjoys high levels of support and legitimacy, much higher indeed than those of Western governments. How do we explain this? Clearly the reason is not Western-style democracy because China has not chosen this path. The late Lucian W. Pye, in his book ‘Asian Power and Politics’, argues that Western scholars have, in their understanding of politics, prioritised political systems over political cultures: Pye argues, correctly in my view, that the opposite is the case. His insight is highly relevant to the Chinese case. The relationship between the state and society in China is very different from that which characterises Western societies. There are three key elements. First, China is primarily a civilization-state rather than a nation-state, with the overriding and extremely difficult age-old task of government being to maintain the unity of China and its civilization. This has lent the state an enduring authority, importance and centrality in China that is very different from the Western nation-state tradition. The state is intrinsic to China in a way that this is not true in Western societies: they are, in effect, in large degree synonymous. Furthermore the Chinese regard the state in some degree as an expression and extension of themselves. Second, whereas in Western societies the state is seen in an instrumentalist and utilitarian way – in other words, what will it do for me? – in China, following from the Confucian tradition and the idea that the Emperor should model himself on the father’s role as the head of the family, the state is perceived in a familial way, whence the expression ‘nation-family’, or the idea of China as an extended family. Or, to put it another way, in Western societies the state is viewed as an external and somewhat artificial construct, for the Chinese it is an intimate. Third, a much higher premium is placed on the efficiency and efficacy of the state than in the West, whence the importance of meritocracy in the recruitment of public servants. In the West, discussion about the state largely revolves around the manner by which the government is selected, in China, by way of contrast, the competence of the state assumes priority. Fourthly, following from the previous point, the state is expected and required to deliver in China. Over the last few decades, of course, it has presided over and masterminded a huge transformation, the most remarkable in modern economic history. The contrast between the performance of the Chinese and Western economies is manifest. In summary, the relationship between the state and society in China and the West is profoundly different and the reasons lie in the historical and cultural differences between them. They can and should learn from each other but they will remain distinct. So what of the future? As I mentioned at the outset, it is axiomatic in the West that sooner or later China will face a crisis of governance that will result in profound reform along Western lines. In reality, it seems far more likely that the crisis of governance will occur in the West than China. The United States and Europe are in decline and, as a consequence, their ruling elites and political systems are already suffering from declining legitimacy and authority, a process that is likely to continue. China, in contrast, is a rising power whose ruling elite is likely to enjoy growing status and prestige as a consequence. China, though, faces its own kind of governance challenge. The country is changing at extraordinary speed. If one thinks of how the life of an ordinary person has changed over the course of the last three decades, then this is a measure of how everything else, including political rule, must also change in order to survive. Of course, transparency, representivity and accountability have been transformed since Mao’s death, but this is a dynamic process and arguably the greatest changes still lie in the future. It is not that China needs to or should change its system – it has stood the test of time and managed to stay abreast of and lead the wider transformations – but, this notwithstanding, more profound ways must be found to modernise the political system and its institutions if they are to meet the demands and expectations of a very different society.

The Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall (at Badaling), Beihai Park, the Botanical Garden, JingShan Park, the Olympic Park, Qianmen Welcome to the blue-sky city ...

With At Home Anywhere ...

Brave voices speak out despite the chilling, silencing fear of firebombs and steel pipes of the foreign-backed subversive destroyers. Fascist colonialism re-branded as 'freedom and democracy'; in reality, everything but. The rioters are either imports or dupes. Either way, probably best called terrorists, because terror is their mode of action.

Meet the new boss (puppet); Same as the old boss (puppet). Don't get fooled again ! Hegemony and colonialism - nothing really changed - so let's see it for what it is. It is not going to go away until we all stand up to stop this evil. See behind the smokescreen / curtain / narrative ...