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In the 'Fragrant Estate' resort in the Hosh County of Korla region. My friend Memtimin is the director of the resort; he took us for a tour of the resort. According to him, the resort hosts tourists from around the world and became one the most famous tourist attractions of the south. The resort is beneath the Boston Lake where there is a sand beach. It is the best sand beach for people from Urumqi to escape the summer heat. The resort is 4 hours driving distance from Urumqi.


I thought this lonely camel was worth a picture. From the sadness of its eyes, I read the line complaining about air pollution brought by industrialization. As you can see in the camel's background, modern factories and highways are being built all over the south. It changes the landscape which has been dormant for the last few thousands years.


An orange flowered plant (saffron) which is special to the Korla region only. The spice produced by the flower is used for food coloring and perfume making. It is an expensive kind of plant, no place other than Korla region is successful in re-producing such flower. In the United States, one ounce of dried saffron is sold for around $60.


A view of the outskirts of the Tarim basin, dry and arid weather is only good for rare desert vegetation. According to the locals, there are more rains this year than previous years, and there is more greenery on the road than ever before, perhaps it is related to global warning that causes the shift of weather, i.e. rains in the desert while drought in the rain forests.


Friendly shop keepers in the city of Korla. The ladies immediately realized that I am not a local and took pictures with me with big smiles. They welcome everyone visiting their hometown.

(Click here to see Part 2.)

Article added by Tughluk on Sunday, August 26, 2007