Roof of the world: Kathmandu. Tibet. West China

In the main city of Tibet, many still live in the traditional stone houses. They have a square shape, and the wood-burning kitchen is located in the courtyard and is divided by residents of several houses. We walk along the streets, watching the traditional way of life of the locals and reach Jokhang monastery on the central square. It was built in 652 by the most famous Tibetan king, Songtsan Gampo. He is considered the ruler who brought Buddhism to Tibet. 

Interestingly, the wives of the king, Princess Wencheng from China and Princess Bhrikuti from Nepal, played a key role in the adoption of the new religion. It is believed that the king built the monastery for the statues of the Buddha and the scrolls of scriptures - sutras, which the princesses brought with them as a dowry. Pilgrims bypass the Jokhang, as a shrine, three times, prostrating on the ground. Yes, this place is impressive. Even more so, Potala - the famous residence of the Dalai Lamas, which we will visit in the afternoon. 

According to legend, this grand palace, built into the rock, was constucted around a cave in which King Gampo meditated. We go to the palace to see the many halls and countless treasures - hundreds of kilograms of gold, silver, huge pieces of lapis lazuli, amber, agate and carnelian. Huge stupas of pure gold hold bodies of the past Dalai Lamas ... Unfortunately, photography is forbidden here!

In the morning we take the highest railway in the world from Lhasa to Golmud (about 14 hours on the way). From our train windows we will enjoy beautiful views of the Tibetan plateau - mountains, valleys, wild antelopes, foxes and kulans. We come to Golmud in the evening and check into a hotel. We are at the city of just over 2 thousand meters above sea level, but we are still in Tibet. 

In the morning we take a bus to Dunhuang, Gansu province (8 hours on the way). This is a very picturesque road - we get to the last Tibetan mountain pass covered with snow, say goodbye to Tibet and descend into the valley at a level of 0 meters above sea level. We crossed all of Tibet and ended up in the Gobi desert! We arrive in Dunhuang - one of the largest cities on the ancient Silk Road, and check into a hotel in the center.

In the morning we go to Mogao caves - the largest Buddhist caves in China. In the 4th century, Buddhist monks built over 400 temples in these rocks. The largest ones hold the ancient statues of Buddha, other caves boast unique wall paintings, which are recognized as the best examples of Buddhist art in the whole of China. One of these caves was a library, where the monks of antiquity translated and copied the main sacred texts - the sutras. For example, it was here that scientists found the famous "Lotus Sutra" and "Diamond Sutra". And here the Sutra of Jesus the Messiah, the first Christian work in Chinese, was discovered. 

We explore the city, where everything reminds of Mogao. Even the pavement tiles here are reproductions of mosaics from the cave. We have lunch at the national food market. Local cuisine is a mix of Muslim and Chinese food. For example, they serve delicious pork hooves in a sweet soy sauce, minced lamb with garlic and bread and wide noodles with stewed meat. Delicious! 

In the morning we go to the Minsha dunes outside the city. This is the real desert! Here you can travel caravan style on the sandy ridges, riding camels, try sandboarding or just walk to enjoy the views. 

We travel by train to Turpan (6-10 hours on the way) - the legendary oasis on the northern branch of the Silk Road, the hottest place in China. We check into a hotel in the center, not far from the picturesque Central Asian bazaar. Yes, we are still in China, but this is already Central Asia. We will visit the nearby village of Tuyok - a real Uygur village with traditional clay houses that are 300 years old or more. An essential attribute of each house is its own dryer for the main local product - raisins. Also here is the burial of the first Uyghur Muslim of the 10th century. 

We will visit the ancient Buddhist city of Jiaohe. From the 1st century BC, it was the capital of the local independent kingdom. Now there are only ruins of palaces and Buddhist stupas. 

We go by train to Urumqi (approximately 1 hour on the way), the capital of Xinjiang autonomous region and the largest city of Central Asia. We go to the Uygur national museum. Everyone knows about the Egyptian mummies. But this museum boasts unique mummies of the ancient inhabitants of the Gobi Desert, who lived in these places more than 2500 years ago! Interestingly, all these bodies are covered with very unusual tattoos. We take a walk in the colorful local bazaar and fly back home.