As the title of the road might suggest, Silk Road of China is not a single road of some market where you can expect to find noteworthy shops lined up in continuity on the roadside selling unique goods to travellers and tourists. It is, in fact, a very old trade route dating back to around 1 B.C. The route connected China to other lands to the Mediterranean region facilitating trade between them, especially of silk when it came to China as China was the only source of silk in the earlier times.
Though with the coming of engines empowered airplanes and cruise ships, the importance of this route has faded today. But the natural beauty of the entire route, the mesmerising views of vast landscapes and the soothing journey that the route offers that is unaffected to date, has made the route a destination for tourism with UNESCO declaring its Tian Shan Corridor as a world heritage site.
It can be presumed that China as a travel destination to visit the Tian Shan Corridor and walk on the road that once connected Asia; it's worth a shot! And while you have decided to make a visit to this road, check some of our selected spots along the corridor that are surely worthy of dropping by.
Army of Terra Cotta Warriors: If you have ever taken an interest in world history or even studied it in high school then you'd have heard about the Terra Cotta Army. A literal army of warriors having archers, chariots, soldiers and every other human unit that constituted an actual Chinese army except that this army was inanimate and made of clay. The army was made to serve as warriors protecting the first Chinese emperor; Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife and so was buried along with him. Thousands of Terra Cotta warriors have been unearthed and are on display in Shaanxi province that is outside of Xi'an city. Terra Cotta army is indeed a vital piece of Chinese culture that attracts tourists from around the world.
Labrang Monastery: If Buddhism fascinates you; then you have to visit this place. It is one of the most important monasteries of Buddhism and was once home for 4000 monks through which the teachings of Buddha reverberated to the outside. The monastery is still occupied and used by monks who continue to practice Buddhism in the monastery's halls and corridors. It is located in Xiahe town within Gansu province.
Singing Sand Mountains and Crescent Lake: The landscape of desert, sand dunes stretching kilometres in length and a crescent moon shaped lake in the middle of the desert; doesn't that sound like fantasy locations taken out from a story book? A crescent moon shaped lake in the middle of a desert with towering sand dunes whose sand when blown by the wind makes an almost instrumental sound; yes this place is real! It is also situated in Gansu province not much away from Labrang monastery.
Tianchi Lake: Right on the border of China and Korea is situated a lake so beautiful that it literally translates to 'Heaven Lake' in English. Tianchi Lake is a crater lake surrounded by mountains and peaks on all sides. The surface of the lake amidst the white gleam of the high rising peaks gives the scenery of that of a mirrored blue disk. Also, other than its scenic excellence that's almost divine, Tianchi Lake is also quite famous for its monster sightings (good news for thrill seekers).
The list doesn't end here. There are many more places along the Silk Road that shouldn't be left to be visited. So take a vacation, hit the Silk Road and familiarize yourself with a beautiful culture and a multitude of soul-penetrating experiences.