Miramsmeanderings: Turpan. Karez Irrigation System 4.10.13 and to Urumqi

Today we had a fascinating visit to the 1000 year old Karez Irrigation System. One of China's most remarkable public works. Water from snow on the Bogdashan Mountains is collected and brought about 80 miles to Turpan. The 1000 wells that make up the system were began to be sunk in the 4th Century and work continued until the 14 Century approx. The wells were sunk to collect ground water from the melting snows and passes through underground channels to prevent evaporation and irrigates farms in the Turpan region. The water is fed entirely by gravity and the system is still in use today. This water turns the area into a fertile valley producing flowers, fruit, trees and vegetables. One of the most amazing sights we saw during our entire trip.
We had lunch in a "western" style café. I had Indonesian Rice with a nice soft egg on top. The egg was delicious after so many like boot leather.
Then onto the bus again and another 3 hour drive through the Celestial Mountains to Urumqi. Stark forbidding mountains with heavily eroded rocks. The stone looks like compressed clay and is all this greyish yellow. A stream was running through the gorge and we saw the occasional shepherd with his animals in the herbage growing near the water. Mostly scrawny looking sheep.
Once we arrived in Urumqi we visited the local museum which was excellent. There were great displays of the costumes of the 13 minority tribes of the area and some truly beautifully done yurts. There are also a number of 600 year old mummies which had been found in the desert. Mummies that are so well preserved because of the very dry air in the desert.
Not a wonderful dinner tonight so treated ourselves to an ice cream afterwards. There is very little meat in Chinese food.

My Indonesian Rice with soft egg on top!