Xinjiang’s High Speed Train | Traveler’s Guide In December of 2014, Xinjiang’s first high speed train was opened to the public. At the time, it only reached as far as Hami, but in 2015 it connected the Xinjiang capital of Urumqi with the Gansu capital of Lanzhou. Here’s the story of this high speed train and my experience taking it. Sitting here […] Read More ▸

What is a Virtual Address? (and how does it work?) If you spend long periods of time away from “home”, whether that’s in an RV, on road trips or living abroad, you know the frustrations of receiving physical mail. Perhaps you’ve heard of a virtual mailing address but you’re not sure exactly how it works. Well…you’ve come to the right place. Over the past 10+ […] Read More ▸

Buzkashi Explained: Rules & Traditions of the World’s Most Dangerous Game What is “Buzkashi” and how is it played? I’ve had the privilege of witnessing a number of games of Buzkashi and in addition to sharing some of my favorite photos from these experiences, I’d also like to explain the rules of Buzkashi as best I understand them. Buzkashi (pronounced “booz-ka-shee”) is a popular Central Asian game […] Read More ▸

Self-Publishing a Travel Guide: My Experience What does it take to self-publish a travel guide? I take a look back at my publishing experience to review what it cost me and how successful the book has been so far. Read More ▸

My Xinjiang Story Summed up in 15 Photos It’s been 6 months already but a lot has happened. I believe these 15 pictures tell the story of this last half year well. Read More ▸

How to Rent a Car in China | Traveler’s Guide No tourist buses. No blazing hot sun beating down on me. No need to pay an entrance fee. Just the pure joy of independent travel in my favorite province in China. Read More ▸

Amazing Petroglyphs Re-Discovered in Xinjiang, China! Kangjiashimenzi (康家石门子) is a collection of ancient petroglyphs that were carved into the side of a massive red-basalt rock in China’s remote region of Xinjiang. These carvings have been dated to about 2000 B.C. and they are believed to be the world’s earliest recordings of an ancient fertility ritual. Some call it an archeological wonder. […] Read More ▸

25 Unbelievably Stunning Xinjiang Photos There is no doubt in mind that Xinjiang offers not only the most beautiful scenery in all of China, but also the most diverse. Considering that Xinjiang is the largest region in China, the ecological diversity should really come as no surprise. Indeed, as these 25 gorgeous Xinjiang photos prove, this place is unbelievable. Most […] Read More ▸

5 Thrilling Ways to Experience Xinjiang, China Most people who travel to Xinjiang, China – and even those like me who live here – all tend to experience this beautiful region in the same way: either from the window of a taxi/bus or on our own two feet. It’s safe, it’s cheap and it can still be exciting, especially in such a remote region as Xinjiang. I’m sure that’s the way most people prefer too, but every once in a while I get an email from somebody who asks me “Is it possible to _________ in Xinjiang?”. You can fill in that blank with pretty much anything, really. Below I’ve compiled a short list of the 5 most thrilling ways I’ve seen other people experience Xinjiang. Read More ▸

5 Beautiful Views of Urumqi, Capital of Xinjiang Urumqi, the capital of China’s western region of Xinjiang, is not as bad as everybody says it is. At least I don’t think so and I hope to prove that to you with these recent photos I’ve taken. Travel guides generally steer you away from Urumqi in favor of other Silk Road outposts and unfortunately […] Read More ▸