The Road to Xinjiang

Tibet

2008-03-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

Hi

It's been a long time since I have posted and WOW there's a lot of spam comments I need to delete, frankly some are sick and people have been locked up for less!

Anyway I have a renewed passion for Blogging and I thought I'd visit it my first :-)

To keep it on topic (sort off) I'm going to publish a link to CCTV footage of the rioting in Tibet. The resisdents of Xinjiang have been told not to follow the lead of the Tibetans.

Of course for people who can't now travel to Tibet a trip to Xinjiang is a very worthy alternative

It is sad to see the news and I hope that human rights for all people in China can be improved. It's funny that I am posting the CCTV footage, I don't speak Chinese but I found it gave a fuller picture of what has been happening, filled in some blanks so to speak, the other side of a complicated picture. All media can be found guilty of being biasesd, and the western and Chinese media have both come in for criticism. Both have there faults for sure, I found it interesting I hope you do too.

Here's to a speedy resolution to the complicated problems which caused the rioting.

CCTV Footage

The China Hands

2006-11-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

I've been building a web site for a firm of Consultants specialising in doing business in China. If you are want information about sourcing in China check it out. Also information on mergers and acquisitions in China, if you are a Chinese Business looking to do business in europe you'll find some help in the Inward Investment for Chinese companies section.

Perhaps take a look.

If not you can still enjoy the rest of the Blog ;-)

Beijing Scams

2006-11-21T13:17:00.000-08:00

3 scams which you should know about in Beijing

1. Beijing Airport - Taxi Scam. Once through departures people are trying to get you into a private car and over charge you by at least 10 times. Ignore them, outside the terminal join the queue for the official taxi's and get them to put it on the meter :-)

2. Art Students practicing their English. If somebody or some people approach you saying the want to practice their English BEWARE! It's only a matter of time and they will want you to come and buy some over priced "Art". Don't do it!

3. Nice young ladies, inviting you for tea or to a restaurant. Be prepared to pick up an massively overpriced bill.

I experienced all three in my first day in BJ. Luckily I have some knowledge about what might happen. My advice is to be on your guard otherwise you might be parted from your cash. They seem pretty harmless, but if you don't pay you're bill I'm sure you could get into a bit of trouble.

Uyghur Separatism / Wild Pigeon

2006-03-20T16:09:00.000-08:00

Here is an interesting Website about Uyghur Separatism:

http://cheznadezhda.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2004/12/6/197546.html

Also if you are traveling to Xinjiang you should be aware about the imprisonment of the Uyghur writer Nurmuhemmet Yasin for his book Wild Pigeon. Read it here:

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/arts/2005/06/27/uyghur_literature/

Tips

2006-03-20T15:30:00.000-08:00

I don't think I've been the greatest blogger in the world, but It's mildly interesting at the very least (at least for me) and I hope that if your reading this you find something you we're looking for.

Traveling through Xinjiang was like a dream in many ways. The desert and the scale of the country give it a dream like quality. Passing through you see so many different lifestyles, and contrasts it is a truly fascinating.

It left me with a strange feeling of only scratching the surface of this fascinating country. For it is a country. Not one country but in fact many countries that live side by side at one time. History haunts it you can feel that. It is a land which is shrouded in the legends of the Silk Routes and the journey of Buddhism to China. For me it was a fabulous place. The green Steppes inhabited by Kazaks and Mongolians in the north. The large Chinese city of Urumqi, the Chinese new towns and the old centers. Uighur Oasis' that buzz with life and colour. The list goes on and on. Pakistani traders, Uzbeks and Kyrgiz. Russian and Tajiks, Afghans and Westerners. Time does not stand still even here the modern lives alongside the traditional. Xinjiang and it's people have a fascinating history and tough challenges in the future. I hope it can face the challenges and the rights of all it's people can be respected.

I'm going to give a few tips for travelling in Xinjiang. It's a long way, but it's more than worth it.

Here are the tips:

1. Travel on the Soft or Hard seats for maximum enjoyment on your train journeys. Meet the migrant Chinese workers and Uighurs. Take some instant noodles and brush shoulders with the locals.

2. Try the lamb kebabs. You can't really avoid them, but they are fantastic. Lagman (lamb noodles) is terrific. Buy fruit from the street traders too.

3. Go to the markets. Buy a carpet, and Uighur hat and a knife. Enter in to the spirit.

4. Go out into the countryside and stay with a local family if possible.

5. Make sure that beer is cold "Bingda" is your best friend!!

UK Government implicated in Andijan massacre

2006-01-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

This is news to me, but it looks like the UK Government just can't help themselves!

Andijan amnesia? India to train Uzbek army with British "observers" present (Source: http://www.craigmurray.org.uk)

Earlier this year, the scandal-hit British government was embarrassed by revelations that UK troops had trained the Uzbek army in "marksmanship" months before they gunned down more than 700 peaceful demonstrators in the now-infamous Andijan massacre. Now, Eurasia reports, British army officers are to "observe" (one of life's great military euphemisms) the training of Uzbek soldiers by the Indian army.

An international delegation of officers from the Israeli and British armies is expected to observe the training of the Uzbek personnel. Officials within the Ministry of Defense in Tashkent hope that not only will such training herald a deeper security relationship with India, but will also remind Western observers of the needs still facing the Uzbek security structures, as well as conveying the political message that Tashkent can secure alternative sources of security assistance.
From Eurasia Daily Monitor

Xinjiang & China Photographs

2005-12-24T04:56:00.000-08:00

Hi Everybody

A Merry Xmas to you all.

I have finally added my photo's of my trip to Xinjiang to the web. They can be accessed at www.jamesnunley.com

I hope you will find they are worth the wait and you enjoy looking at them as I enjoyed taking them :-)

Many thanks to everbody who's taken time to look at the Blog

James Nunley

Update, Visa Info & 1st Photo's from China

2005-10-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a long time since I last posted, an internet user and his dog have been sadly disappointed by the lack of action on these pages.

Now I'm going to stun you with the Administrative journey of how I got my Chinese Visa.

Well up to Manchester it was for the Visa. Location: Denison House, 49 Denison Road, Rusholme, Manchester M14 5RX. The website never seems to work properly whatever browser you use, but you can get the relevant form from: http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/lsyw/qzxx/default.htm

The form didn't make the most sense to me, but after a rewrite I arrived at the High Commission to hand it in and 3 days later in a fit of euphoria I had a little piece of paper stuck in my passport which entitled me to see Chairman Mao (deceased) and his 1 billion chums.

In the backward world that is my blog I have now been to China and I am sitting in front of my keyboard looking rather fetching in my Uigher hat!

I'm back from China and will post loads of my photo's online, hopefully on my blogger webspace and a bit of witty commentary on my travel to China. I'm playing with Photoshop which should make the pages for me and of course do a bit of cropping and subtle if not some drastic improvements to the Photographs.

God Blogger is a pain getting these photo's on! Another rant is about the owner of the Oriental List, what a plonker! If you want to here lots of Americans whine and talk about package tours this is the place, if you stand this it does occasionally have a bit of good info as reprinted below. Nut I for one cannot stand either! (Rant over)

I suppose I'll have to give some structure and narative to this Blog at some stage, er... maybe not! I does reflect it's owner in that sense.

Here are few goodies up to whet the appetite. I promise you the rest will be up here soon!

China Photo sites & the Oriental List

2005-07-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

The trip nears... 2 months and counting. Have overdosed on reading about China so I've had to take a bit of a break! I love reading about travel and all things related but I think I over did it. It was like I wasn't looking forward to my trip! So reinvigorated again I return. I'm a member of a very useful mailing list that occasionally throws up some gems of information on China. It's called the Oriental List and is ran by a guy who has written one of my favourite guides on the Silk Routes (perhaps the only guide, and it is about 7 years out of date!). For information about the list visit http://members.shaw.ca/pnhpublic/China.html

To the recent gems to be found on the site have been two very interesting photographic site relating to Xinjiang http://www.anthropix.net/

and the rather misleadingly named Mexican Pictures
http://www.mexicanpictures.com/archives/travel/xinjiang/index.html

The later is probably my favourite at the moment and has some great pictures from other parts of China including Amdo and Qinghai. They gave me a real thirst for travel and something to aim for with my photography during the trip. If I'm able to capture just a few good pictures a good as the ones on these sites I'll be very happy indeed.

Another exceptional piece of information to come my way from the mailing list courtesy of Raul of Mexican Pictures is a great looking itinerary for China following the National Geographic's Steve McCurry. He posted the following itinerary that looks fantastic, good information to know. I feel like taking this next year if this trip turns out to be a success, a shame I didn't know earlier. Here it is:

July 22: Xining to Mardo
Mardo Government Guesthouse

July 23: Mardo to Jyekundo (Yushu city)
Yushu Xibeiniu Hotel

July 24: Yushu sightseeing (Jykundo)

July 25: Yushu horse racing festival

July 26: Yushu horse racing festival

July 27: Yushu to Seashuel to Dzochen monastery
Camping

July 28: Dzochen monastery to Manigange to Derge
Derge Cholha Hotel

July 29: Derge to Baiyu
Baiyu hotel or camping

July 30: Baiyu to Ganzi
Ganzi Khamba Hotel

July 31: Ganzi to Daofu to Tagong
Camping

Aug. 01: Tagong to Rilong town
Siguniangshan Hotel

Aug. 02: Rilong
Siguniangshan Hotel

I think by Derge he means Dege as in Reggae! Which is a Tibetan printing centre. Which leads me to this great Blog, with contains some lovely pictures. It follows in the footsteps of Joseph Rock from the National Geographic who first brought this region to worldwide attention in the 1920's.

http://drjosephrock.blogspot.com/

I've also upgraded my camera equipment for the trip. I've purchased a fantastic Nikkon F801 with a telephoto and a portrait lens. So National Geographic here I come! Taking the first shots with it at the moment and looking forward to seeing the results. It should help me take better quality pictures. I have been using a Pentax K1000 which is a great camera but all manual functions. I loved it because it was so hardy, the type of camera that would survive a war zone quite easily. The Nikkon has automatic aperture, shutter speed and focus which is cool.

Hope you enjoy the websites. Looks like instead of overdosing on the reading I did it for photo sites instead!

At the moment the UK is experiencing a wonderful period of warm and sunny weather. Life goes on as normal despite near blanket coverage of the London bombings on TV and Radio.

Back to Xinjiang

2005-06-04T14:07:00.000-07:00

It's come to my attention that the Blog has been neglecting the topic of Xinjiang. That's probably because I’ve never been there! I promise this will change and I will be endeavouring to give the reader a few more facts about Xinjiang. But the I can only post stories and pics once I’ve done my trip. I'll also be comenting on the thorny subject of human rights once I've visited.

The other day it ocured to me that the Jelly Baby container I keep my supply of 1 and 2p's bears an uncanny resemblance to the statue Chairman Mao in Kashgar. I've took the time to post both pictures side by side so you can make your own mind up. The particular Jelly Baby in question is named Bubbles, her profile reads like this "She's the extrovert always playful". Mao's profile is slightly more sinister and might run something like this "A committed revolutionary, he's responsible for millions of deaths, but is still greatly revered in his homeland."

Here's a Mao quote for the Neo-Cons to ponder... “If the US monopoly capitalist group is bent on carrying out its policy of aggression of war, a day will certainly come when humanity will hang it by the neck.”

Rumsfeld questions China on missiles

Liverpool European Cup Victory Parade Photo's

2005-05-31T15:11:00.000-07:00

Here a few photo's I took last Thursday at Liverpool FC's European Cup Victory Parade near Anfield. My mate is a big Liverpool fan and we thought it would a good laugh to go. Got lots of good photo's here are just two.

Shambala (Shangri La)

2005-05-31T15:03:00.000-07:00

"The land of Shambala lies in a valley. It is approachable through a ring of snow peaks like the petals of a lotus. At the centre is a nine-storey crystal mountain which stands over a sacred lake, and a place adorned with lapis, coral, gems and pearls. Shambala is a kingdom where humanity's wisdom is spared from the destructions and corruptions of time and history, ready to save the world in its hour of need."

Karakul lake & Tsunami volunteering

2005-05-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

Beer seems to be the lubricaton for Blogging, thats for sure! Relax and muse about the world... I will upload my present PC wallpaper to give my viewers some optical stimulation. If your attention span is anything like mine you won't be reading this, but at least there is something pretty to look at.

I volunteered to go to Sri Lanka today. Work has raised a lot of money for the Tsunami appeal. The think it's a good idea to send some bank staff and call centre workers out to help re-build some houses. So I thought I would see if they are going to select me. Would be an amazing opportunity. I think the odds of being chosen are pretty slim. If chosen I would definately get on the Video Blog vibe.

Just been watching TV, interesting documentary on the Labour Patry's tactics in the Election with an Undercover reporter from C4 Dispatches program. Interesting stuff, fake letters by activists in local papers, photo opportunisties where no journalists are able to ask questions, amongst other tactics. At least the Conservatives didn't get back in. But Labour have dodgy controlling instincts, as discussed in George Orwells 1984, it was a in part a critique of Labours authoritarian instincts, they're definately still there.

Interesting Fact #1 Jose Mourhino never played top flight football and use to be a teacher before becoming Bobby Robsons translator. Fascinating!

Drum Roll.... My wallpaper of the Karakul Lake, beautiful.

A room with a view & Uzbekistan

2005-05-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

What a lovely day it is here in Cheshire. I thought I would treat you to the beautiful view from my room. I may be moving to Chester city soon, taking a look at a new place on Monday. This photo is taken from my parents house and long time residence, but I will always be able to come back here to unwind.

My flights are booked to Beijing. I leave Manchester early September on my odyssey. The trip is on!

Central Asia in in the headlines again, this time Uzbekistan. The predominant view in the UK media is the almost the Uzbek government line! Muslim militants on trial, terrorist crackdown etc. The TV journalism is very sloppy, print a bit more balanced (in at least some papers). The fact that it is a Stalinist dictatorship, these people have do not democratic voice. Good luck to them I would do the same if my community was being repressed and my relatives disappearing. Where do the US stand on bringing democracy to this part of the world? They have been happy with the supporting the president as they have been using the country as a base in the "War on Terrorism" and turning a blind eye to the fate of it's people and the human rights record in Uzbekistan. If democracy does flourish it will be nothing to do with the US policy of speading "peace & democracy" throughout the world. More to do with the population saying enough is enough, out with corruption, I want a voice. We'll see how things develop.

The Great Game

2005-04-29T13:43:00.000-07:00

In the middle of my new book at the moment and suitable reading in preparation for my trip. Peter Hopkirk's The Great Game is a great read. Brits Vs The Russians in Central Asia in the 19th century. It is the stuff of a schools boys dream. Adventure, spy's, far away lands. I'm about half way through and the British have been kicked out of Afganistan. I just getting to the bit when Chinese Turkestan/Xinjiang comes into the picture. It is a very interesting book and highlights a history I knew nothing about, apart from Carry on up the Khyber! Hopkirk seems to be a bit of an expert on this area of the world. I will definately buy another book of his about the plunderers of Xinjiang's treasures called Foreign Devils and the Silk Road, not sure if to save it and read it on one of the dreadfully long journey's I have yet to come.

Time to Blog & Reflect

2005-04-15T16:24:00.000-07:00

Well no tickets have been booked but i'm past the point of no return mentally at least. I have been reading the Lonely Planet Thorntree forum and have had a good laugh at some clueless souls. A bloke from Vegas who wants to cycle from Kashgar to Lhasa! OMG it still makes me laugh, perhaps he might find a cheaper and less dangerous way to punish himself. Though i'm no expert, I have it on good authority it's a rough trip by 4WD or hitching let alone bike. High altitude, remote, dangerous in more ways than one. Good luck to the poor fucker. I had read somewhere of a tourist going missing on the same route never to be found, I'll have to dig out the link.

It made me laugh, especially as I have been thinking doing my trip might be pushing it somewhat. I'm sure it will be fine, but who really knows?? My Chinese, Uighur and Tibetan isn't up to much sitting here in sunny England. At least on not cycling it all in 3 weeks! Not even www.uighurlanguage.com will be able to help me. I suppose half the fun is to drop yourself in the deep end and survive, even thrive have an amazing experience see some wonderful places and meet great people. Things can turn sour on your own doorstep. I really looking forward to the trip, but i'm under no illusions as to how hard it's going to be. At the moment I'm thinking the Xinjiang leg should be fine, more a bit doubtful as to when I get down out to the Tibetan area's the language will be very limited and may find it lonley if cannot hook up with fellow travelers. Oh well we'll see no such thing as a crystal ball.

Tongren (Rebkong) & Labrang Map

2005-04-10T06:04:00.000-07:00

I'm planning to buy the air fare to China in about a months time. The plan is now much as before get to Kashgar, perhaps go to the Karkal lake area and then back on myself to Labrang & Tongren on the Gansu and Qinghai border area as soon as possible. I may have to skip Dunhuang due to time and head straight for Lanzhou to access the Tibetan area's as it is a priority of my trip to check out some Tibetan as well as Uyighur culture.

Above is a map of the area around Tongren (Rebkong) & Labrang (taken from an out of print trekking book.

I've always had a love of maps since I was a child. So I will make sure I publish as many useful and interesting maps as I can.

The beginning of the road to Xinjiang

2005-04-03T07:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome! This is the beginning of my journey and blog. This blog is will chronicle my journey from Cheshire, UK to Xinjiang in China, via Beijing, then on to Dunhuang down on the old Silk Route down to the Tibetan area's around Xiahe (Gansu province), and home to the Labrang Monestery the leading Tibetan monastery town outside of Lhasa.

Finally after many hours researching where to go in China (it's bloody massive!) online and sifting through the Lonely Planet this trip seems to make the most of my time and resources available. I may never make it, I may get distracted on the way, that's the beauty of it all really.

So a little about me, I'm a Sales Consultant and work for a bank. I have traveled around the world once in my 28 years on the planet. A hardcore traveller I'm not, but I have been quite a few places but I won't bore you by naming them all. I have a passion for Drum & Bass music, a passing interesting in Philosophy and Buddhism, Chinese language, trade and world culture. As well as a love of maps and photography.

So this is my 1st post on my journey, a lot of the ground work has been done and a lot more needs to be done. I will try my best not to bore you...hopefully you will find my blog interesting and informative if you are planning the same trip or perhaps you have already been, or just exploring the world online :-) I will keep you up to date with each step in my journey and probably going off on tangents as well. I will posting you photo's, thoughts and stories I pick up on the way. Enjoy...

September has been penciled in for departure. We'll see how it develops.