Xinjiang Silk Road: Gobi, Tianshan Grasslands & Kazakh Nomads

In this episode, we cross the vast Gobi Desert from Dunhuang, Gansu to Hami, Xinjiang, following the footsteps of ancient Silk Road traders. From Hami, we take a lesser-known northern Silk Road route through Barkol and into the stunning Jiangbulake Grasslands at the base of the northern Tianshan Mountains.

Here, we meet a warm and welcoming Kazakh herder family who spend their summers tending sheep, horses, and cattle in this remote paradise. Their two children help manage the herds and earn a little pocket money during their school holidays. The family’s hospitality and genuine kindness made our stay unforgettable — we truly didn’t want to leave.