In case you've been wondering about the arabic-look-alike letterings above nearly all Chinese signs, it's the minorities' language.
哈密回王陵, The Mausoleum of the Hami Uyghur Family
The Hami Uyghur royal family was offically appointed by the Han emperor to rule this area. Thus, their very own unqiue culture and language survived and flourished till this very day.
The entrance gate...
These two buildings are said to have incorporated 4 different culture designs, including the mongols, Han Chinese and Muslims.
Designs on the pavement walls...
巴里坤大草原, Balikun Grassland
Located in the deep 天山, Heavenly Mountain, a huge army once sought refuge here while crossing through the mountains to invade other areas.
Anyway, we were meant to visit the Balikun Grassland but as it turns out, a sandstorm swept through Urumuqi the day before, causing temperature of the whole of xinjiang province to drop 15 degrees. So, instead of visiting large green pastures, we witnessed snowing!!! hahaha... My second experience with snowing...
On our way up to the grassland, it started snowing heavily...
A lone house stood at the foot of the slopes while the cattle tries to keep warm outside.
Ok... i'm actually freezing like hell then cos no one was prepared for snow in summer anyway. Although we brought long john but it wasn't with us and i can't resist missing the chance to stroll in the snow.
Imagine the white snow as green pastures...
Dinner was as usual, except one dish - 驼掌, camel's palm!!! I stuffed myelf with two mouthful of meat until the waitress announced the dish name... oh dear. They said camels are sensitive animals and like dogs, will kick your ass if they sense that you ate their fellow mates... I worry about my future camel ride.
