Airlines Business and Development Plan" and Mr. Wang Wei, Deputy General Manager, China International Travel Service Xinjiang, who spoke on "Receiving Services for Japanese Travelers in Xinjiang." After exchanging opinions, we toured the city of Urumqi and left for Turpan in the evening. From September 8〜15, we drove along the Southern Route of the Tian Shan Mountains from Turpan and proceeded to Korla, Kuqa, Aksu and finally to Kashgar, where we made a day trip to Karakuli Lake in the Pamirs.
During the trip, we visited such historical and cultural resources as the Ancient City of Gaochang, Astana Ancient Tomb, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, the Ancient City of Jiaohe, Karez Wells, Iron Gate Pass, Thousand Buddha Caves of Kizil, the Ancient City of Subash, Abakhoja Tomb, etc. Their magnificence made a deep impression on our minds. We noticed, though, that as the local residents were mainly the minority ethnic groups such as the Uygurs who are Moslems, the further west we went, the greater their numbers grew and conversely, the awareness of the ancient relics left behind by the indigenous Buddhist people grew faint. We even felt uncertain of their existence.
Natural resources entertained us such as the majestic scenery of the Flaming Mountains, the Ravine with Salt-Covered Dry Riverbeds, the Pamirs, etc., but a sand storm obstructed the view of the snow-capped Tian Shan Mountains and the red-colored Flaming Mountains and the glow of snow-covered high peaks in the Pamirs were not visible in the mist.
In Grape Valley in the Flaming Mountains, we tasted various kinds of grapes and during the drive, we quenched our thirst with the sweet juices of Hami melons that were sold on the roadside. We also tasted the delicious vegetables and fruit grown in the oasis such as Chinese cabbage, tomatoes, figs, pomegranates and apples. There were so many different lamb dishes such as shish kebab, stew, etc. Some of the noodles of Islamic origin reminded us of Italian spaghetti, penne, etc. and Japanese houtou, soumen, etc. We could not deny the theory that noodles were introduced via the Silk Road. In addition, the Loulan wine served to us in Turpan reminded us of the exquisite delicious wine that is recited in the poems in the Tang age.
In Kashgar, we were invited to lunch at the home of a Uygur family.The dishes were prepared by the wife and served one after the other in the most luxurious living room. We were, however, somewhat
