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East Thousand Buddha Caves (Dong Qianfodong)
mke1963 Says: I wasn't able to visit the caves here as out meetings went on for so long at Suoyang Fortress, but they are about 22km south-east of Suoyang Fortress (and are managed by the same people). On the way there, it is possible to visit the remains of the Taer Ta Si tower and...
mke1963 Says: There are almost countless old fortresses in the area north and north-east of old Anxi, most of which have never seen a single tourist, except perhaps for Marc Aurel Stein, 99 years ago. There is a map of the relics in the area on the wall of the Suoyang Fortress Visitor...
mke1963 Says: From 1st May 2006, the Suoyang Mu (Tombs) have been given state-level protection. This tomb field lies to the north-east of the Suoyang Fortress and stretch for tens of kilometres northwards, to the east of Qiaozicun and beyond. The tombs date from the Han through to the...
mke1963 Says: [NV]The Yulinku lie about 25km south of the township of Tashi (also known as Suoyangxiang). I haven't been there yet, but they lie in two clusters alongside a river valley and are recommended by many visitors for feeling a bit more authemtic than the mad-house crush at...
mke1963 Says: En-route to Suoyang lies the ruined fortress of Pochengzi, in the vilage of the same name. Little is known about this ~45,000 sqyare metre rectangular fortress but it is even better condition than Suoyang/Guazhou. The structure lies right next to the road, on the left hand...
mke1963 Says: The fortress itself is the furthest structure, and is divided into two parts by a curtain wall. Outside and to the north is the huge expanse of the Tang Dynasty Guazhou city, while to the immediate east of the fortress/inner city is the horse-breeding enclosure. Horses were...
No accommodation inTashi or Qiaozi: No accommodation inTashi or Qiaozi
mke1963 Says: This is a pity but there is nowhere to stay.The nearest place is one of the two three star hotels in Anxi new town.
Restaurant at Qiaozicun: Restaurant at Qiaozicun
mke1963 Says: In the next courtyard to the Daodelou, is a small restaurant in a non-descript house. Just go straight ahead where the road turns 90 degrees to the north. The food is simple but very good. The toilets, however, are dire (and that is saying something in China!) My colleague,...
Getting to old Anxi/Suoyang/Guazhou
mke1963 Says: The ruined city lies 50km south of modern-day Anxi, on the southern edge of the oasis, 6km south of the village of Qiaozicun. If driving from Dunhuang, turn right where the modern road (#313) turns sharply left and enters the oasis just 10km before Anxi. The road heads...
mke1963 Says: The cynomorium plant, that gave Suoyang its name (see separate Local Custom tip) can be bought from local villagers in this area and also from the visitor centre at Suoyang Fortress. Its more expensive at the visitor centre but the funds raised help to protect local...
mke1963 Says: The cynomorium plant that gives Suoyang its name is still found on the site although in less quantities than in the old days. The guides know where to find them, growing on the roots of certain hongliu and other shrubs. Deep holes in the sand show where they have been dug up...
mke1963 Says: Suoyang has a serious insect problem unfortunately, which is taxing the minds of local tourism and EPB staff who would like to find an environmentally-friendly solution. The chaobing fly - and there are swarms of them - mean that you have to keep walking or moving at...
mke1963 Says: The village of Qiaozi is a quiet place with many old buildings and farmhouses, but it is best known for its charming Qing era wooden tower, the Daodelou, used for ceremonial events in the old days. Now it slumbers alongside aome old poplars in a courtyard at the centre of...
Plan a Tashi vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Tashi locals
This is a pity but there is nowhere to stay.The nearest place is one of the two three star hotels in Anxi new town.
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Great walls rise up out of the sand, providing some little shade from the sun. Even though it is only 8.30 in the morning, the sun is powerful and unforgiving. As are the biting flies - the chaobing -...
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