London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 34 – 30 September 2016
Curiosity, Camaraderie and the Capital of Xinjiang
Last night turned out to be rather unusual.
Throughout the evening and well into the night, Ramesh and I could hear people talking outside the motorhome. Every so often there would be tapping on the side of Kontiki, followed by more conversation in Chinese.
At first, we were unsure what was happening.
Curiosity eventually got the better of us, so we stepped outside to investigate.
To our surprise, there was nothing sinister going on at all.
A small crowd of curious locals had gathered around Kontiki. They were studying the large route map displayed on the side of the motorhome and following our journey from London towards Mumbai. Although we could not understand a word they were saying, it was obvious they were fascinated by the scale of the adventure.
Communication was difficult, but some things need no translation.
Smiles, laughter, pointing at maps, and a universal thumbs-up said everything that needed to be said.
The crowd’s curiosity grew when we invited them inside the motorhome. Motorhomes of this type are relatively uncommon in this part of China, and many had never seen one before. They were intrigued by the compact kitchen, sleeping arrangements, and living area.
What surprised them most, however, was the driver’s seat.
Because Kontiki was a British vehicle, the steering wheel was on the right-hand side. In China, all vehicles are left-hand drive, so seeing a motorhome with the steering wheel on what they considered the “wrong side” generated considerable interest.
The evening became an enjoyable cultural exchange despite the language barrier.
Travel often reminds us that curiosity and friendliness are universal human traits.
This morning brought another interesting encounter.
We met a Chinese motorcyclist who had spent years travelling extensively throughout China. Like us, he proudly displayed a route map showing the places he had visited. Although our vehicles were very different, we shared the same spirit of adventure and a passion for exploring the open road.
After saying our goodbyes, Team Kontiki departed at around 9:00 am and headed towards Urumqi, the capital of China’s vast Xinjiang Province.
The journey was pleasant and straightforward, and by around 1:00 pm we arrived in the city.
Our first impressions of China continued to be extremely positive.
The roads were immaculate, public spaces were clean and well maintained, and the highways were beautifully landscaped with colourful flower displays. Everywhere we looked there was evidence of investment, organisation, and attention to detail.
One thing that particularly caught our attention was the fuel stations.
Unlike those we had encountered elsewhere in Europe and Central Asia, many Chinese fuel stations were gated. Vehicles could not simply drive in at will. Instead, attendants controlled entry and directed vehicles through the facility. Security appeared noticeably tighter than in the countries we had previously travelled through.
After checking into our hotel, the group split up for the afternoon.
Team USA decided to visit the famous Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), one of Xinjiang’s most celebrated natural attractions, located in the spectacular Tian Shan Mountains.
Meanwhile, Team Kontiki opted for a local sightseeing tour of Urumqi itself.
As we explored, we discovered a fascinating blend of cultures. Urumqi is one of the largest cities in western China and sits at the crossroads of Central Asia and China. The influence of Uyghur culture could be seen in the architecture, food, markets, and daily life.
The city felt very different from any place we had visited so far on our journey.
By evening, it was time to sample some local cuisine.
Rather than cooking, we decided to visit a local kebab restaurant. The aromas of grilled meat and spices filled the air, and the food proved to be excellent. We also sampled some local Chinese beer, which went down particularly well after a warm afternoon of sightseeing.
As we sat reflecting on the day, we realised how quickly China was capturing our imagination.
The country felt modern yet traditional, organised yet welcoming, and every day seemed to bring new experiences.
From curious locals admiring our motorhome to discovering the vibrant city of Urumqi, today had been another memorable chapter in our epic journey.
Distance travelled: Approximately 170 miles (275 km)
Route: Kuitun to Urumqi, China
Weather: Sunny and pleasant
Highlights: Meeting curious locals, exploring Urumqi, and experiencing Uyghur culture
Most memorable moment: Showing Kontiki to fascinated Chinese locals who had been studying our route map
Dinner: Local kebabs and Chinese beer
Location: Urumqi, Xinjiang Province, China
Mood of the day: Curious, relaxed, and increasingly impressed by China
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki continues eastwards through the vast landscapes of Xinjiang, discovering more of China’s remarkable scenery, culture, and hospitality on our unforgettable road journey from London to Mumbai.
