Exploring The Old Silk Roads |
Posted: April 28, 2017 |
When we say Silk Road, we are actually talking about a whole network of pathways that connect Europe with the eastern edges of Asia. These old roads have been a functional trade route for about 15 centuries. When we speak of these roads, we recall a romantic era with the image of caravans that transported their merchandise, including gunpowder, jade, rhubarb and silk, between China and the Levant. The names and places that instantly come to mind are Marco Polo and Coleridge, and Samarkand and Kashgar. Through the Western image of the Orient, we assign mythical features to this exotic path. UzbekistanSamarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are Uzbekistan’s most radiant cities that attract tourists. Samarkand holds the exquisitely decorated shrine of the medieval Turko-Mongol leader Tamerlane, which is one of the most enticing mausoleums in the world. The most exotic city that you can visit on the Silk Road is Registan, Samarkhand’s old town. Bukhara, on the other hand, is a holy center of Central Asia. Khiva’s minaret and labyrinthine streets are a wonderful sight. Uzbekistan is also popular for its 214-mile high-speed railroad from Samarkand to Tashkent. KazakhstanKazakhstan is a big country that Western tourists are yet to learn about. The two cities that one must visit are Astana and Almaty. Astana is Kazakhstan’s modern and fast-developing capital that may even be less of a sight than its former capital Almaty which offers a more sophisticated experience. The place that every tourist should visit is the Aksu-Zhabagyly nature reserve. Next to 1,300 species of plants, it contains argali sheep, golden eagles and ibex. TajikistanTajikistan is a small and poor country that holds little influence from the outside. Fast food chains and big name shops are unfamiliar to this area. What makes Tajikistan special though are the mountain ranges of Pamir and Fann, which are perfect for extreme sports and camping. Along the Pamir Highway, which is a well-known addition to the Silk Road, lies the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe. Here you can find the largest Buddha statue in whole Central Asia. ChinaThe UNESCO protected Silk Routes Network of the Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor is 3,100 mile long, and includes parts of the Great Wall, the famous Kashgar Sunday market, and Maijishan’s hanging temple. It offers a lot of amazing sights along the way, and enables you to see various areas of China, including those populated by Kazakhs and Uighurs. Furthermore, there is a fast train between Lanzhou and Urumqi, which connects to Kashgar and its traditional bazar, going all the way to Kyrgyzstan, through Torugart Pass. Western MongoliaWhen we speak of Mongolia, the first name that comes to mind is Genghis Khan. Mongolia’s connection to the Silk Road is via Chinese trade, and Genghis Khan was the master of this path during the 13th century. What is truly worth visiting in Mongolia is the Bayan-Olgii Kazakh Eagle Festival that takes place in September. This is the time when, in the Altai Mountains, riders in traditional garb showcase their hunting efforts for golden eagles. VietnamThere are many wondrous things to see in Vietnam. Away from the cities, you can enjoy the beauties of the Mekong Delta. It offers a beautiful landscape of jungles, beaches and mountains. The infrastructure may not be as advanced, but there is a number of tours that take the roads which will enable you to see Vietnam’s amazing views. To the south is the Mekong Delta where the most of Vietnam’s agriculture flourishes, while to the north are mountains and jungles. You simply have to visit the rice paddy fields and orchards. When it comes to the urban centers, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s commercial center. It’s an amazing metropolis that people there like to call Saigon. The architecture, however, is diverse due to the fact that the economic power has not spread throughout the entire city. You will notice the contrast between the French colonial homes and the poor communist housing blocks. While Ho Chi Minh City is the location of huge corporations and business, Vietnam’s capital Hanoi is more peaceful. It is a sweet city that showcases the country’s rich history. Depending on what you are looking for, both of the cities have a lot to offer. Another place that you have to visit are the Central Highlands. They are a great way to get away from the urban chaos, and are wonderful in their own way, even though they aren’t as exciting and tall as the mountains in the north. What’s special about this area is that it’s well-known for being the center of Vietnam’s wine industry. Its climate and elevation offer a perfect spot for various modern and French-inspired wines. Taking one of the wine-tasting Vietnam tours is a great way to experience the wonders of Vietnam, while enjoying sips of sweet beverage. Vietnam has a lot to offer to tourists, with its luxuriant swamps in the south, huge mountains in the north, and stony highlands in the center. If you are looking for a better view of what life in Vietnam is like, you should get off the tourist treks, and see the Central Highlands. In summationTaking the mythical Silk Roads is an experience of a lifetime. Every country along the way has something to offer that is one of a kind. You should take a trip along the entire road, and end up in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, sipping a glass of its unique wine.
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