"Chinese far west" Korla by kokoryko

Korla Travel Guide: 55 reviews and 151 photos

Korla was once an oasis on the northern branch of the silk road when it crossed the Takla Makan desert. Nothing seems to be left from the caravans times, and Korla is now a modern 300.000 inhabitants city. It was a logistics base in the beginning 60’s when the Chinese oil companies began to explore the Tarim (other name Takla Makan) area. With industrial development it is now a modern city, with high buildings mainly inhabited by ethnic Han Chinese; other population comprise Uygurs, Mongolians, Tibetans and other minorities. It is a pioneers city in the Chinese Far West. The Chinese Far West is priority for development for the Chinese authorities, and people are encouraged to settle there, conduct and develop farming, cattle breeding and other agricultural activities. Oil industry was the first industry in the area and now, construction, chemistry are developing as well.
Not a lot is left from the old history and I will share with you some of my walks in the city after work in the evenings or early morning walks, making some strange (at least for me, westerner!) encounters.
And, it is far from being a tourist place, but may be some day one of you readers may pass by; . . who knows? And as usual, it is a bit fun to share “exotic” stories.
I made quite a lot of pictures in Korla, you will see few of them, and you will notice the weather (light) conditions were not at their best ; it was not often sunny and it was generally misty, so the pictures are not as bright as one may expect from pictures from Central Asia; if I come back, I hope to have a better weather.

Monument of central square

Coloured building

Last visit to Korla: Mar 2007
Intro Updated Apr 6, 2007
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Reviews (24)

Running for his life in the desert - Korla

Fringes of the desert (cont.) Off The Beaten Path (4)

At the fringes of the desert you can still find life, before the emptiness; here is water, there are trees and in the... more travel advice

The fringes of the Takla Makan desert... Off The Beaten Path (4)

I was in Korla for my work, but being there and not going to the desert would have been a shame!! So I managed to... more travel advice

Tiemen Guan; (follow up) Off The Beaten Path (4)

So, who is in the graves? I red in a Chinese guide about Sin Kiang that a princess and her lover are here; they are said... more travel advice

Tiemen Guan: the iron gate. Off The Beaten Path (4)

Tiemenguan means something like iron pass gorge; this place is a few kilometres north of Korla, and as it name tells... more travel advice

Restaurants (3)
See All Central Asian food forever !
Things to Do (11)
See All Street scenes
Favorites (1)
The red flag is still there and kids...

Local Customs (4)
See All Billiard on the streets
Hotels (1)
Best location in town
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Comments (9)

angiebabe Aug 5, 2009 at 7:04 AM Report Abuse

hi and thanks for yr recent visit to my pages-have just got back from Macedonia-how great to be able to travel!esp to far off places in china! hopefull I will get to Chinas desert before too long.nice photos here thanks.
bubblechooch Aug 21, 2007 at 5:29 AM Report Abuse

i used to live in one apartment near uyghur street in korla last year so i was really glad to see lots of pictures of korla again. some place looked change but fragrant pears look same as before:D
icunme Jul 30, 2007 at 10:28 PM Report Abuse

Well --- I knew the name Korla pear but had it somehow related to Koala bears - like maybe their favorite food??? Duhhhhh, Carol
Anne-Lieze May 23, 2007 at 11:12 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful page and nice photos Herman!!A region few visited!Nice to have a look at that part of the world
Kuznetsov_Sergey Apr 30, 2007 at 11:31 PM Report Abuse

A very intersting and carefully done page! You have a very attentive look, Hermann. Thanks for your comment on my Chersonesus bell - I've re-told what I read in a guide... I've appreciated you wrote about Russian Troya.
TheWanderingCamel Apr 24, 2007 at 12:28 AM Report Abuse

Really enjoyed this page Hermann - such an interesting look at a corner of the world few people get to. Cheers - leyle
robertgaz Apr 16, 2007 at 10:34 PM Report Abuse

Vividly written pages filled with humour and your experiences... it's a pity about the forgotten fondue restaurant ;~)
tiabunna Apr 11, 2007 at 4:40 AM Report Abuse

Very enjoyable, Hermann. I rather fancy having one of those paper mushrooms ! :)) Some fascinating food tips, look far more exciting than our local Chinese restaurants. I'm still considering the 'camel haircut' (LOL).
unravelau Apr 8, 2007 at 11:23 PM Report Abuse

I am first. What a wonderful place Hermann, although everthing seems to be centred around food, eating, getting of etc. Obvious difference was ping pong at lunch time..I used to play quite well. I will keep reading. Thank you, Carole.