day 385: [喀纳斯 (Kanas) = 0 km

This morning, we got on a plane to one of the most remote areas of the country:

喀纳斯 (Kanas) – bordering Kazakhstan in the West, Mongolia in the East and Russia in the North:

Kanas on larger map

There was a large red flag at the tiny airport, reminding us of the fact that we were still in China:

We got on a lofty road that took us through the hills…

…past golden forests…

…and peaceful valleys…

…until we finally arrived HERE:

Just so you know: this is the point where you pay for admission and get on a bus with a bunch of folks from 广东 (Guangdong, or Kanton) who go “OOOHH!!” and “AAAHH!!” at every curve and every little thing that they see. They never stop – it’s too awesome!

…

The bus took us to a Mongolian village called 禾木 (Hemu) on the banks of a small river:

I loved the birch tree forests there:

The whole valley had a feel of peace and tranquility that reminded me of Yosemite National Park in California:

…and just like its American counterpart during its early history, this area was undergoing some pretty drastic changes too:

I could see the struggle of preservation and exploitation, and I wondered: what would this place be like in twenty or thirty years?

Soundtrack: Pantera – “Planet Caravan”

—total: 4927,5km