Kashgar is a city full of charms and like no other. Despite being in China, Kashgar does not feel like a typical Chinese city. Yet its Uyghur identity and culture does not quite make it Middle Eastern or Central Asian either. I would say that Kashgar, home of the Uyghurs, is a unique blend of […]
Why Southern Xinjiang needs to be on your bucket list
Looking for a place in China that does not have too many tourists, yet still has enough activities to wow you over? Look no further because such places hardly exist anymore. Thankfully, southern Xinjiang is still out of the Chinese tourist’s radar due to its tense security situation. Nevertheless, southern Xinjiang is an extremely safe […]
Is Xinjiang dangerous?
The media is a scary concept; you hardly find positive news on the newspapers these days. When people think of Xinjiang, they only remember the terrorists, knifing incidents and the general instability that the media portrays. However, is it true that Xinjiang is dangerous, rife with terrorists and religious extremists? Here is a reality check: […]
Qilian, a hidden gem waiting for you to discover!
Known as the Switzerland of the East in books, Qilian is a picturesque town that you would not expect in Asia. Yet ask a Chinese tourist where Qilian is and you will probably expect a confused look. Despite how journalists describe Qilian, it never became a famous place. Moreover, its remote location deters tourists from […]
7 things you can do in Qinghai in China
Before visiting Qinghai in China, I must admit that I have not heard of this province! Ironically Qinghai is the fourth largest province in China, yet many people are unaware of its existence. What is there to see in Qinghai? Here are 7 amazing things you can do in Qinghai to justify the effort getting […]
The ultimate Sichuan food guide
So, you are planning to visit Sichuan for the pandas and you are wondering what you can eat there? Lucky you because Sichuan offers one of the best cuisines in China! You can find Sichuan food all over Chinese because of how tasty it is. Here is the ultimate Sichuan food guide that will help […]
Why you should visit the Sertar Buddhist Institute, and fast
Earlier on I wrote about how I sneaked into the Sertar Buddhist Institute, or Larung Gar. Was it worth all the effort? I dare say it was one of the best decisions ever. Sertar Buddhist Institute is not like any other religious institutes. It is the largest Tibetan Buddhist institute, set 4,000m above sea level […]
This is how a sky burial looks like:
I always believed that the Tibetan culture is the most mysterious and intriguing one in the world. Indeed, I fell in love with whatever they believed in while I was travelling in Tibetan China. Tibetans are the most pious and devoted people I have seen. To them, their religion is their life. Every Tibetan strives […]
Sneaking into the largest Buddhist Institute, Sertar (Larung Gar)
You have heard of the Tibetans, the free Tibet movement and the Chinese government oppression of the Tibetans. While many of these “truths” are debatable, there remains one objective fact: the Chinese government does not fancy foreign interference. As such, many areas where Tibetans live are off-limits to foreigners. This includes the Sertar Buddhist Institute, […]
Why Chengdu in China needs to be on your bucket list
Step aside Beijing and Shanghai! Chengdu is the other city you must visit when planning a trip to China. Home to the best food in China, Chengdu delights not just your taste buds, but also your other senses. There are many things to do in Chengdu, so you can easily keep yourselves busy. Here are […]
