What time is it ?

China used to have 5 time zones before 1949. Now it has only one. Urumqi is 2 hours behind Beijing since it is situated on the westernmost part of China. Most locals follow their own unofficial Xinjiang time according to the dictate of the sun rather than of Beijing. They start work or open their shops at 10.00 am Beijing time. Some buses also use Xinjiang time. The government departments run on Beijing time.

Therefore, when in Xinjiang  ask not only what is the time but what time it is.

I guess one reason why the locals prefer Xinjiang time is because it does not get dark until late in the evening. It  may also be their subtle protest towards Beijing.

8.49 pm Beijing time

9.20 pm Beijing time

Urumqi

Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It is the furthest city from the sea in the world.

Urumqi Diwopu International Airport

"Beautiful Xinjiang welcomes you"

The Silk Road

The Silk Road was a term coined by a German, Baron von Richhofen. It was silk, a Chinese invention which captivated the west. Before the discovery of the sea route to India, the Silk road was the most important connection between the east starting from Chang An (now Xian) to the Roman empire in the west.

We traveled from Urumqi -> Turpan -> Dunhuang -> Jiayuguan -> Zhangye -> Wuwei -> Lanzhou.

We did not go to Xian as we have been there. You may refer to my earlier post on Xian.

My 7th trip to China

We are going to China this Friday 18/8/2012

We will travel along the Chinese part of the Silk Road beginning from Urumqi to Lanzhou, a distance of  about 2000 km. 

Dinner and Cultural Show

This is the last night of our stay in Yangon.

Looking smart in traditional Burmese shirt

Karaweik

This is a replica of a Royal Barge built in 1974. It now serves as a restaurant.

Yangon Town Centre Roundabout

Yangon City Hall

Local men wearing sarong everywhere

China Town

As with other Chinatowns in the world, this is where the Chinese  community built their homes, clan associations, temples and shops.

Eating durian in Chinatown

Bogyoke Aung San Market formerly Scott's Market

This market was built in 1926 and was named after James Scott, a British civil servant. The name was changed after the Burmese independence.

Sule Pagoda

The Sule Pagoda was made the centre of Yangon by the British when they structured their grid-street system around it in the mid 19th Century.

A Nat

Nats are spirits of humans who died a violent death. Nat worshipping is  practised along with Buddhism in Burma. 

Kyaukhtatgyi Buddha

This modern Buddha is 70 m long. Although larger than the Shwethalyaung Buddha, it is not as famous.

The Buddha's feet

Burma Miscellaneous

Children will start fanning you when you sit in the shop

A salted fish shop

A glass factory

Ye Le Pagoda Kyauktan

This 3rd Century pagoda is situated 20 km south of Yangon. It is built on a small island on the tributary of Yangon River.

We have to take a boat to the island

Leaving the island

Ancient Portuguese Church

Only the walls of this church remain.

Tomb of a missionary

Thanlyin

On the third day, we visited Thanlyin. We stopped at the local market where we saw the little monks begging for food.

Kyaikpun

Built by King Dhammazedi in 1476, it consists of four Buddhas seated back to back against a square pillar.

Each Buddha is 30 m tall

Mahazedi Pagoda

Mahazedi means the Great Stupa. It was built in 1560 to house a tooth relic from Ceylon.

A steep staircase to the top

A sarong shop

We stopped at this sarong shop.