Turfan had been an important stop on the Silk Road.
We Went to Bezeklik which was a Buddhist Monastery.
This was a location described in Peter Hopkirk’s book “Foreign Devils on the Silk Road”.
There was very little left to see, but I did get the flavor of what once was.
Pictures were not permitted in the caves.
The Chinese are trying to figure out a way to restore those paintings that had been covered with mud.
On the road to Bezeklik, we saw a reconstruction of a Buddhist village or shrine.
Our guide referred to it as “Disney World”.
Our next stop was the ancient tombs of Astana.
The mummies are back in the museum in Urumqi, but we could see the tombs.
Two were Chinese and one was Moslem.
This could be inferred by the contents of the tomb when it was initially found.
Bezeklik - Budhist Monastery
Bezeklik Monastery
Video Clip of Bezeklik Monastery Area
Reconstruction by the Side of the Road
Reconstruction by the side of the road
Reconstruction by the side of the road
Reconstruction by the side of the road
Reconstruction by the side of the road
Reconstruction by the side of the road
Description of Astana tombs
Description of Astana Tombs
Bezeklik - Budhist Monastery
Bezeklik Monastery
Reconstruction by the Side of the Road
Reconstruction by the side of the road
Reconstruction by the side of the road
Reconstruction by the side of the road
Reconstruction by the side of the road
Reconstruction by the side of the road
Description of Astana Tombs
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