Day 20, 19 June 2012 Dunhuang

The day started early at 0500hrs today because we need to catch sunrise over at Mingsha Mountain and the giant sand dunes.

Some of our team members decided to stay back in our hotel and not to join in for the morning session due to fatigue and needed some rest.

The scenic area of Mingsha and Crescent Spring is located roughly 5km south of Dunhuang. Being a place where spring meets desert, the area is a natural spectacle and has been known as a desert wonder' from ancient Han dynasty to modern times. The Crescent Spring, which resembles a crescent fallen down into the desert has been listed as National Park of China.

After lunch, we went to the world famous Magao Grottoes or more commonly known as Magao Caves.

Located at the eastern foothills of the Mingsha mountain, construction of these caves began during the former Qin dynasty (366 A.D) which contains 2400 painted sculptures.

Day 19, 18 June 2012 Zhang Ye to Dunhuang

Today total distance traveled 602.5km

The drive from Zhang Ye to Dunhuang was rather a pleasant one, passing newly built Chinese highway.

Our first visit of the day was to Jiayuguan or Jiayu Pass. 

Jiayuguan or Jiayu Pass (simplified Chinese: 嘉峪关) is the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China. Commonly referred to as the finest example of its kind on earth, the pass is the best preserved of the Great Wall's ancient military fortresses.

The structure was built during the early Ming dynasty, sometime around the year 1372. The fortress there was greatly strengthened due to fear of an invasion by Timur, but Timur died of old age while leading an army toward China.

We continued our drive to Dunhuang after Jiayuguan visits. The sights of gigantic wind farm no doubt proved China as an emerging world super power in the coming decades.

Dunhuang is a renowned tourist destination  famous for the Mogao Caves. Dunhuang, long ago referred to as 'Sha Zhou' (beautiful desert oasis), was the hub of middle and eastern silk routes in ancient times. The city landmark is an attractive statue, the idea of which comes from the mural in Mogao Caves.

Day 18, 17 June 2012 Qinghai Hu to Zhang Ye

Today total distance traveled 528.6km

Awoke at 0500hrs to the sound of drizzling rain upon my tent. The night was harsh, near zero degree Celsius air temperature made sleep partly tough, and the bustling rats and mice and birds checking my tent out of curiosity made it even worse.

After an early breakfast we started for Zhangye, a long days drive ahead. The pitter patter soon turned into a downpour, and only when we crossed Biandukou, a mountain pass close to 4000m that the rain stopped. 

We had our lunch at the Hui minority village nearby. Our chief photographer, Mr Haha Lee and with the kind contribution from Chuan Lok, both have made pictures of the noodles owner and her son and we printed instant copies for them. If you live 80km to the nearest photo shop in town, a simple instant family photo is worth more than all the gold in the world. There is nothing compare to a quality family time together.

We continue our drive ascend to the top of mountain range reaching the peak at 4120.6m above sea level, passing spectacular sight of herds of wild mountain yaks.

A medium- sized town, Zhangye has long been an important stopover for caravans and travelers on the Silk Road. There are reports that even Marco Polo spent a whole year here.