A couple short days as we take a visit to another famous Buddhist attraction along the old Silk Road. Turned out to be a great visit despite it being during the busiest travel season in China as we accidentally find ourselves on a secluded mountain hike!

Turning up the heat as we move into Xinjiang province. We visit (one of?) the lowest points on earth at the Turpan Depression and get stranded at the abandoned tourist center in the middle of a massive sandstorm.

After an unplanned day off in Jiayuguan, we head to an unplanned tourist destination in the desert to enjoy an oasis, buddha caves, a sunset from a sand mountain, and, eventually, a blown tire.

Had to find a shop to look into a suspicious rattling sound near the rear of the bike and ended up staying another night as we got invited for dinner at one of the biggest cow husbandry "factories" in the province.

Quick day into one of our tourist destinations- Jiayuguan, the western terminus of the Ming Dynasty built Great Wall. Also passing through some beautiful desert scenery.

Amy gets food poisoning while camping out as we move into the flatter, drier landscape of central and western Gansu province

A long day's ride today (longest in terms of time and second longest in terms of distance) where we woke up to a beautiful sunrise, enjoyed another change in scenery, and had another run in with the police on the expressway!

Getting out of the city after a couple days off and we are well rewarded with some really fantastic scenery and ideal motorcycle roads.