新疆 2011 Excerpts - Emin Minaret

We did a two-day excursion to Turpan, which is an oasis in a desert with a very very low altitude. This basically means that during this time of year, it is an absolute oven where everything bakes in heat and sand. It is an area rich in tradition and culture of the local people, this being one of the most significant structures. More on Wikipedia.

 It's pretty impressive up close, with all those intricate patterns. Unfortunately we weren't able to actually go to the upper level and look out from the roof because there was some restoration happening (part of a wall blew down in a sandstorm or something).

 There is also a graveyard area at the side of the tower, and some walkways and gardens that we strolled through.

The heat was oppressive and unending; there was no place with enough air conditioning to make it better. I basically went through this day and was barely able to remember what I did.