Azerbaijan is full of hidden gems, and Sheki is one of them. You seldom find a small town with enough activities to pique your interest for more than a few days. Sheki was small, yet it had so much to offer that I stayed there for almost a week. The Sheki we know of today […]
Tag: places
9 things to do in Baku, Azerbaijan
If there was a city that surprised me, it has to be Baku. I did not expect to find a modern, aesthetically pleasing and cosmopolitan city in this part of the world. As I entered the city from another sleepy town in Azerbaijan, I could not help but gasp at what I saw. Baku was […]
Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lakes: Nature that wows
The first impression people have of Kazakhstan is usually of endless steppe and deserts. While not totally false, Kazakhstan also has its share of stunning landscapes. The southeast region of Kazakhstan is full of natural formations, with mountains, lakes and rivers waiting to be discovered. In this article, I will be introducing Charyn Canyon and […]
9 things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Honestly, I am not a big fan of cities. Traffic jams, packed subways and ugly apartment blocks are just not to my liking. However, I have to admit: cities are convenient. You can easily fly into or out of them, find whatever you need from the supermarket just down the road and eat something fancy. […]
6 places to visit in Northern Xinjiang
Northern Xinjiang is a nature-lover’s paradise. The magnificent Tien Shan Mountains down south and the gorgeous Altai Mountains up north surround the entire region. Even the flatter areas are not spared from the gifts of nature – beautiful grasslands, pristine lakes and meandering rivers fill whatever that is left. Opportunities for hiking are aplenty, but […]
9 things to do in the cultural capital of Kashgar
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
