Far West China

How to Rent a Car in China | Traveler’s Guide

April 22 | No Comments

No tourist buses. No blazing hot sun beating down on me. No need to pay an entrance fee.

Just the pure joy of independent travel in my favorite province in China.

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My Xinjiang Story Summed up in 15 Photos

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It’s been 6 months already but a lot has happened. I believe these 15 pictures tell the story of this last half year well.

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Self-Publishing a Travel Guide: My Experience

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What does it take to self-publish a travel guide? I take a look back at my publishing experience to review what it cost me and how successful the book has been so far.

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Living Without Internet for a Year (the REAL Story)

April 21 | No Comments

My Dearest Xinhua,I want to write a personal thank-you for your recent article about the year-long internet blackout here in Xinjiang. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since the tragic Urumqi riots in July 2009 that resulted in a cut of all internet access, text messaging and international phone calls for 10 straight months. If […]

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5 Beautiful Views of Urumqi, Capital of Xinjiang

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Urumqi, the capital of China’s western region of Xinjiang, is not as bad as everybody says it is. At least I don’t think so and I hope to prove that to you with these recent photos I’ve taken. Travel guides generally steer you away from Urumqi in favor of other Silk Road outposts and unfortunately […]

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25 Unbelievably Stunning Xinjiang Photos

April 20 | No Comments

There is no doubt in mind that Xinjiang offers not only the most beautiful scenery in all of China, but also the most diverse. Considering that Xinjiang is the largest region in China, the ecological diversity should really come as no surprise. Indeed, as these 25 gorgeous Xinjiang photos prove, this place is unbelievable. Most […]

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Amazing Petroglyphs Re-Discovered in Xinjiang, China!

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Kangjiashimenzi (康家石门子) is a collection of ancient petroglyphs that were carved into the side of a massive red-basalt rock in China’s remote region of Xinjiang. These carvings have been dated to about 2000 B.C. and they are believed to be the world’s earliest recordings of an ancient fertility ritual. Some call it an archeological wonder. […]

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Driving in China: Defying Death as a Foreigner

April 18 | No Comments

For anybody who has visited China, it probably seems ridiculous to think that anything good could come from the chaotic Chinese traffic. But I can honestly say that thanks to my time driving in China, I’ve become a better driver. Here’s a brief explanation of how. Recently, I received the one official Chinese document that […]

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Stunning China Mountains (only found in Xinjiang)

April 17 | No Comments

China is known for some unique landscapes, but none are quite as breathtaking as the various China mountains. What most people don’t know, though, is that some of the most scenic mountains in China are found in the remote western region known as “Xinjiang”. If you were ever under the impression that people only travel […]

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Mysterious Lop Nor Structure in China Revealed

April 16 | No Comments

Although once famous for its “Wandering Lake” mentioned by Marco Polo as his last stop before taking a year-long journey across the Gobi Desert, it has finally made the headlines again in a few very small newspapers here in China’s northwest as the world’s largest potash fertilizer producer.

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