Author Archives: admin

HISTORY Early People. The earliest recorded residents were Sakas (Scythians) with rich bronze and gold relics from the 5th and 6th centuries. Then Turks lived around Lake Issyk-Kol. In 751, the Turks with Tibetans and Arab allies, drove out a … Continue reading →

HISTORY Kazakhstan as a single entity with defined borders was an invention of the Soviet regime in the 1920s, before that, the great bulk of the territory was part of the domain of nomadic horseback animal herders that stretched right … Continue reading →

Kazakhstan Oct 5-18 This is the world’s ninth biggest country and the most economically advanced of the ‘stans’, thanks to its abundant reserves of oil and minerals. However, the drop in oil prices has affected it significantly. It means better … Continue reading →

Kyrgyzstan Sept 30-Oct 6, Oct 19-24, Nov 17-20 Kyrgyzstan is defined by its topography: unspoiled mountainscapes, stark craggy ridges and rolling summer pastures inhabited by semi-nomadic, yurt-dwelling shepherd cultures. It is famous for yurts, hats and horsemen. With a network … Continue reading →

Tibet – September 13-21 The “roof of the world” promises breathtaking high-altitude scenery, awe-inspiring monasteries, epic road trips and a unique Himalayan culture that remains vibrant after a half-century of assault and repression. The color, humour and religious devotion of … Continue reading →

By the end of my 2024 travel, I had visited every country with a Buddhist heritage. I don’t miss many Buddhist sites. This is the order in which I saw them, not any preference. NEPAL BOUDHANATH, Kathmandu – one of … Continue reading →

Xinjiang – September 5-12 and 22-30. This is China’s far-flung and restive western frontier, at odds with Beijing since time immemorial. But these cultural differences between the two are what make this province so attractive to travellers. Central Asian culture … Continue reading →

THE SILK ROAD, The Early Silk Road ISLAM WESTERN CHINA – Gansu, Tibet General Information, Tibet, Xinjiang, Shu Road, Sichuan.  CENTRAL ASIA, Central Asia Today, Remittances in Central Asia KYRGYZSTAN – Travel Facts, The Trip KAZAKHSTAN – Travel Facts, Kazakhstan Today, … Continue reading →

GANSU PROVINCE

CHINA – Aug 25- Sept 30 2015 I’m back in China to see the west of the country and travel the Silk Road from Xi’an to the Middle East. Having had such a great 2 months here last year, I … Continue reading →