Silk Road trip photos

[lohtecksiong]

# 46 Kazakh boys riding horses around

# 47 Kashkar tent - visitors were treated a small reception in the spacious tent. A special experience of Kazak nomad life here, have a cup of milk tea and taste some really local food

# 48 Pretty lady stepping out of the tent with a on-looking admirer

# 49 Another snow-capped mountain view as we head downwards

 

[zoossh]

Zoossh,
Thanks for providing the proper name of kazakhs; you have a good knowledge of the China ethnic tribes.
Yah, on second look, I agree the contrast of #37 is not sufficient. Thanks for the critics, this is where I can improve.
多多指教。

i'm looking into (affordable) avenues of visiting central asia, and read up a little on it. currently targetting the ships stranded in the desert (used to be aral sea) in uzbekistan. and ashgabat, capital of turkmenistan, the western pyong yang lavished with golden statues of the dictator... can only dream abt it now cos it seem very expensive to travel there.

 

[oriole]

Interesting photos, most of them are well taken. Some of pictures could be better presented if you have a good knowledge of PS techniques. Keep it up!

 

[lohtecksiong]

# 50 Entrance to the Hami King tomb （哈密回王墓） exhibits
Located two kilometers south of the Hami city proper, the tombs were built around 1840 for the burial of Islamic kings and their wives. Two of the tombs are well preserved. The one to the south consists of two magnificent pavilion-type buildings with upturned eaves, carved beams, painted rafters and round supporting columns. The other one is a twenty-five-meter high, dome-shaped building with a square base and a domed top.

# 51 Silhouette of the mosques within

# 52 Fairies playing pi pa (琵琶）
Fairies playing the ancient string instrument (pi-pa) by holding it at the back. This is one of the unique statues in Dunhuang

# 53 Performance by Fei Tian Ge Wu Tuan (飞天歌舞团）- tossing two umbrellas with the foot

# 54 The Lady Tie Luo Han (铁罗汉）

 

[Daoyin]

Thank you for sharing these photos. This is one of the better sets and it shows from the range of scenes. BUT there were other places no?

 

[chisiang]

#17 Jiayuquan Pass, first built in 1372 BC in the Ming Dynasty, is one of the greatest passes of The Great Wall and also of the best protected fortress along the Great Wall which separates the mainland China from the outside world, guarding against any intruders.

嘉峪关!

This fortress struck awe in those who have visited it! I went there back in 1990 and was left mouth opening.

A little more history - 嘉峪关 was the furthest and outer most of all. Smack right in Gobi Desert, it was also one of the worst place to live. In the past, if you were sent there to guard this fortress, it is as good as a death sentence. Those who committed grave offence but escape death sentences were also sent there to 充军.

嘉峪关 was also considered the marker of civilization border of Chinese. Beyond 嘉峪关was considered barbarian/savage territory, go at your own risk.

The entire engineering feat was considered a wonder in today's standard. During the construction, the difference between the estimated bricks to be used and the actual bricks used after the construction was an astonishing accuracy of 1 single excess brick :bigeyes: That brick was ultimately left on top of one of the gates to remind people the brilliance of Chinese engineering.

I dreamt of returning there one day ;p

 

[zoossh]

just happen to see another shot of jiayu pass by a reuters press photographer.

http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/rpSlideshows?articleId=USRTX8WVW#a=7

 

[chestertim]

...an excellent series of shots

 

[lohtecksiong]

just happen to see another shot of jiayu pass by a reuters press photographer.

http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/rpSlideshows?articleId=USRTX8WVW#a=7

Zoossh,
Thanks for link leading to the press photographer of the year showing another perspective view of 嘉峪关。

 

[lohtecksiong]

...an excellent series of shots

Chestertim,
Thanks for viewing and compliments

# 55
Changing hats acrobatic

# 56
Bending backward down...

# 57
Great leap

# 58
Superb balancing act

 

[Fire Kirin]

Nice Photos! Inspiring!

Are you using Nikon D3? The low light shots are great.;p

 

[Lolrence]

This is really really cool! I've always wanted to go to China, but didn't know there are tour packages that lets you into the kingdoms and such. :thumbsup:

 

[pebblez]

Wow.. Pic#4 is spectacular..

 

[lohtecksiong]

Nice Photos! Inspiring!

Are you using Nikon D3? The low light shots are great.;p

Hi Fire Kirin, yes, I shot with the D3 and the 70-300 mm VR lenses. Before this shooting, I did not believe the amazing power of the D3 to take photos under the low lights condition (all without flash). D3 is really a gem! By the way, I shot these pic from the aisle seat with a tripod mounted on the passage way. In China, it is not so strict for audience to bring in tripod and camera for photographing. Hence for China tour, one must bring a tripod along and not to miss the troupe shows. You may be surrpise the photos may turn out unexpectably well, just as I do.

Thanks.

 

[jasbay]

Just by watching your photos I can see how tiring this tour was! ;p Want to be there to take in the very nice scenery yet dread the discomfort... :embrass:

 

[Fire Kirin]

Hi Fire Kirin, yes, I shot with the D3 and the 70-300 mm VR lenses. Before this shooting, I did not believe the amazing power of the D3 to take photos under the low lights condition (all without flash). D3 is really a gem! By the way, I shot these pic from the aisle seat with a tripod mounted on the passage way. In China, it is not so strict for audience to bring in tripod and camera for photographing. Hence for China tour, one must bring a tripod along and not to miss the troupe shows. You may be surrpise the photos may turn out unexpectably well, just as I do.

Thanks.

Hey, Hey, I guessed it right! Unmistakedly, D3 shots!

But when you changed lens to wide angle, are you apprehensive that dust would get in?:what:

 

[nemesis32]

Quite nice series considered that it's tour group and i understand it's quite rush and stressful

 

[lohtecksiong]

Hey, Hey, I guessed it right! Unmistakedly, D3 shots!

But when you changed lens to wide angle, are you apprehensive that dust would get in?:what:

Hi Fire Kirin,
I carried two cameras, one short and the other a long range. You are correct, dust is all over at the Dunhuang desert sand dunes. It is very difficult to change change under that circumstances.

 

[lohtecksiong]

#59. The King and performancers

#60. Wow! Balancing five umbrellas at one go.

#61. Showing off somersaulting skill

#62. Pole dancers

#63. Lady power

 

[Fire Kirin]

Hi Fire Kirin,
I carried two cameras, one short and the other a long range. You are correct, dust is all over at the Dunhuang desert sand dunes. It is very difficult to change change under that circumstances.

So you own 2 D3s?! Wow, you are loaded man!:bsmilie: