Buddhist caves

The Silk Road, China

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May 31st 2005
Hi, Our first stop in Xinjiang province was Turpan. Once an important point along the silk road, as the two sites of ruins of old cities that are here can indicate. The city is 54 m below sea level, in the middle of a desert, and it is very hot. The city is also famous for growing grapes and making wine, which is strange considering the climate. The are many vineyards in the surrounding areas, ... read more

Asia » China

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For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. A... ... read more