And it’s so beautiful out here - the air is so fresh & the whole place’s simply so serene……………

I’m now standing at the entrance staircase to Xiwangmu Hotel - with amazing views of Alphine beauty of the Silk Road of China at its grandest!!

And while waiting for our whole tour group to check out of  Xiwangmu Hotel, I shop at the Hotel’s lobby Souvenirs Shop & got the following Jade Pendants which are on sales at 10 RMB each - heheh very good buys!!

Me standing outside Queen Mother Palace Restaurant after Breakfast :

What a most beautiful sight of the Heavenly Lake & Mountain (Tianchi Tianshan)……………

The Bogda Mountains (or “God Mountains“) is 150 miles long averaging 13,000 feet elevation - forming the northern perimeter of the Turpan Depression, with Snowcapped Peaks throughout the year!

And behind me are lovely Mountainsides covered with luxuriant Pines & Cypresses……………..

From here, one can either choose to get off to visit the Hsi Wangmu’s Ancestor Temple or continue on the Tianchi Boat Cruise……………..

Here’re views of Tianshan (Heavenly Mountain) facing the Temple :

Our Boat Cruiser is now moving away from the Hsi Wangmu’s Ancestor Temple after letting some Tourists off…………..

Hahah I am really enjoying this Tianchi Boat Cruise with such fantastic views of the Heavenly Lake & Mountains, & I’m feeling extremely glorious!!!

Let’s look at more close-up views of the pretty Pines & Cypresses by the Heavenly Mountainside (Tianshan)………….

I’m now going shopping at the Tianchi Tianshan Souvenirs shops near the Exit of the Yacht’s Quay :

And the following very warm pretty Fury Hat for myself :

Chinese Legend of Hsi Wangmu’s Tianchi ( Heavenly Lake) - “Ding Hai Shen Zhen” :

Hey there’s a Traditional Cultural Uygur Costumes Rental Stall behind me down below - I’m so excited as i can’t wait to be dressed as a Uygur lady for photography haha!!

Here I am seated by the rock of Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) - a Reddish pink Ugyur lady…………

Now, I’ve changed to a different Headdress & possing with a local Uygur Man holding the popular traditional Uygur String Instrument - Dutar :

And I’m now wearing a different 3rd Headdress with my Tour mate…………….

Below shows the Traditional Cultural Uygur Costumes Rental Stall where I just wore the Ugyur Dress for photos-taking :

I’m now back at the carpark of Tianchi Tianshan where we’re waiting for our Buggy to take us back to our Tour Coach :

As there’s some free time before our Buggy arrives, I wonder around the neighbouring Tianchi centre in search of Uygur Souvenirs, & I’m so lucky & happiest to have spotted these following most beautiful Cultural Uygur Dolls :

I also bought the following 2 lovely handmade Wooden Dolls :

Here’s a pic of Xiwangmu Hotel at the foot of the far-away Mountain, among the many lovely Pine Trees & Cypresses, where we stayed last night here in Tianchi Tianshan :

And while waiting for the rest of our Tour mates to be back at our Tour Coach, I quickly ran to buy one more Black Fury Hat - so now I’ve got 2 of them!!

Haha I simply adore them so much - they’re of very good quality keeping one real warm, & they’re so cheap & gorgeous looking!!

Once again, I’m enjoying the outside views of beautful Tianshan (Heavenly Mountain) with its Cable Cars riding up & downhill…………….

And as our Tour Coach travels out of the long windy roads of Tianshan (Heavenly Mountain), we catch glimpses of the following Chinese words inscripted on the Mountainside that read “Tien Kai Yi Men, You Xing Chong Lai” meaning “Sky Door opens - bringing Happiness back again” :

Indeed it felt like I’ve just visited Heaven & had much peacefullness & happiness enjoying the entire Heavenly paradise - & making me feel really blessed as I bid farewell to Tianchi Tianshan!! 

We shop in the Tianchi Souvenirs Shop looking for Jade jewelries, & I bought the following Xinjiang Folk Songs & Music VCDs : 

And after sometime…………… 

Weather’s freezing cold up here at Tianchi Tianshan & the following Hot plain Porridge really warms us……………..

Below shows my Brother-in-law Ah Hia standing at Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) Tianshan (Heavenly Mountain)……………..

Here’s a last snapshot of Myself seated infront of  the beautiful tranquil Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) Tianshan (Heavenly Mountain) before boarding our Chinese Tour Coach to our Hotel stay for tonight here at East of Urumqi……………

Well, good night everyone - sleep tight & may we all tour & explore Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) & Tianshan (Heavenly Mountain) together tomorrow okie!!

Urumqi is the Capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region & the most Inland City in the world as it’s the furthest from any body of water - the City lies as a Green-blanketed Oasis amidst Xinjiang’s barren & uninhabited Deserts, loess Highlands & the snowcapped peaks of the Heavenly Mountains.

Urumqi means a “Beautiful Pasture Land” in ancient Mongolian - it was once an important town on the New Northern Route of the Silk Road of China - it’s a City where Multi-ethnic groups of people live in compart of mixed communities where the City is unique, with strong colorful ethnic life styles & attractive local customes!

Below is the famous Red Hill (or “Hong Shan” in Chinese) in Urumqi as seen from where I’m seated inside our Chinese Tour Coach :

Large “Gong Ce” Sign (meaning “Public Toilet“) - hahah wondering if it’s equally dirty & stinky as what we’ve usually seen during our travels through the Silk Road of China!!

The followings are Xinjiang Doughnut Nangs (or Enani Bread) being baked inside the Oven Tonir……………….

Different types & shapes & sizes of Grapes on sales in this interesting local market………………

I’ve fallen in love with Nangs (Enani Bread) ever since having my first most delicious bite of  the warm crusty yummy Xinjiang Bread earlier this morning while travelling to Nanshan Pasture, & now I cant’t help but am always on a look-out for Nangs hahhah!!!

Below are Baked Dumplings - so called by the locals - (or “Samsa” in Ugyur) which are Square-shaped Nangs stuffed with a mixture of Diced Mutton, Sheep’s Rear Fat, Onions, Kumin, Fine Salt, Red Pepper & a little Water………………….

Next we see vegetables stalls………………

Oh I love eating Mushrooms & there’re all kinds of them here - hahah some very interesting types which I’ve never seen before!!!

I was so excited when I saw this following store cos I thought it’s Rojak (assorted food) - but on closer look it’s actually “Ma La Chuan” (as in sticks/skewered food) - very interesting guess it’s the Xinjiang Uygur type of Rojak may be?!!

I’m now meeting 2 young Chinese kids eating Nang Bread whom I chat & play with…………..they’re so adorable!!!

More interesting & colorful stalls at the local market……………

And to our surprise guess what we’re looking at here?

Hahah this is most exciting cos it’s my very first time seeing Billiard games in the open Stores!!!

Hey, there’s even a Jiangnan Roast Duck Stall across the street at the local market :

We’re now back at the Nang Store where we bought the most delicious Doughnut Nangs earlier :

Back inside Dong Fang Long (Eastern Dragon) Hotel……………..

I just bought this following pretty flower-designed thick Jade Ring :

We’re now boarding our Chinese Tour Coach after shopping in the above Supermarket located next to Dong Fang Long Hotel :

Now seated aboard the Tour Coach & enjoying delicious Xinjiang Bread - reminding me of home sweet home back in Singapore…………….

What a most wonderful cultural experience exploring the interesting local market here at Urumqi, & now we soon depart the Beautiful Pasture Land to visit the following………………

It’s now time to move on to our next destination here at the Silk Road of China……………stay tuned!!

Our Coach’s now giving way to this large herd of Sheeps on the road……………..hahah what a most interesting welcome sight!!

Covering an area of 119 square km, Nanshan Pasture is a natural Paradise with charming mountains, gushing valleys & waterfalls falling down the hillsides…………..& grasslands & hills dotted with flocks of sheeps………………

And Nanshan Pasture is the home of the Kazaks (or “Qazaqs” meaning “independent” or “freedom“) - descendants of Turkic tribes, Mongol groups, Indo-Iranian tribes & Huns which populated the territory between Siberia & the Black Sea, & remained in Central Asia when the Turkic & Mongolic groups started to invade & conquer the area between the 5th & 13th centuries AD.

These Kazak Normads have no fixed home & they move according to the seasons, in search of food, water & grazing lands!

The Kazaks live in Yurts, which are corn-shaped Tents of white felt stretched over a framework of wooden poles. And being Normads who move around frequently, these Yurts come in handy as they’re light & easy to assemble, dismantle & transport!

I’ve now come out of the local Kazaks Yurt home after being entertained with food & milk & much warmth & hospitality, & most importantly having a great feel & experience on how the local normads lead their daily lives within their Yurts…………….

Now snaping pics of the most lovely surrounding here at Nanshan Pastures……………

There’re many such Kazak horsemen offering tourist rides on horseback, trying to earn a living……………..

We’re now walking to the middle of the vast grassland to watch the Traditional Kazaks Cultural Sports :

I’m now seated on rock bench among my Tour mates waiting for the Kazaks Sports - the weather’s really cold right now, which is the opposite of what we were told earlier, by our Chinese Tour guide haha!! 

We’re out of the vast grasslands now……………..

It’s now time to hop on inside our Tour coach :

And as most of the time travelling along the Silk Road of China, this WC Toilet is dirty & stinky as well…………..

Here’s my pair of newly bought Red Hand Gloves - locally handmade by Kazaks - they’re not very warm though cos the material’s really thin but they’re the best decent-looking pairs for pretty lady Me heheh!!

And now let’s see more scenes of the local Kazaks community lifestyle…………….

And along the way to Urumqi……………I’m feeling really happy that I’ve just been to Nanshan Pasture which is like yet another dream come true for me, as I got to see & feel such beautiful vast natural grasslands paradise, & getting to know the local Kazaks & their most interesting traditions & culture!!

Hahah till we meet again in the new Capital of Xinjiang…………………

On my following Chinese Buffet Breakfast table are Mun Tou (or Chinese Plain Bun), Zucchini, Bean Sprouts, Sichuan Vegetables, Nang (or Flat Bread), Liang Mein (or Cold Noodle), Bean Curds & Hard-boiled Egg, with steamy hot plain Porridge - all freshly prepared & most healthy :

I’m now shopping inside Turpan Hotel after breakfast : 

It’s now time to check out of the unique grand Turpan Hotel located here in Tulufan (Turpan), at the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China…………..

Our tour Coach is now stopping at the following…………….

The Gobi Desert & its harsh weather conditions are best known in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for sandstorms & rocks. And the local Chinese government & investors have been trying to make use of the massive wind to help fuel the growing economy.

Today, China stands as the 4th largest Nation in utilising Wind Power, next to Spain, Germany & United States in the world lead.

Here’s a close-up view of the most commonly designed modern 3-Bladed Wind Turbine which minimizes forces related to fatigue :

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed this short post of mine & I shall now leave you with my following Slideshow containing pics taken of Turpan Hotel :