My journey through China along the northern Silk Road, from Beijing to Kashgar, was an unforgettable passage through both time and terrain. Travelling mostly by bus and train, I followed the footsteps of ancient merchants, monks and explorers across a vast and varied landscapes. Starting in Beijing where some claim to be the eastern terminus of the northern Silk Road I sweated in 40+ degrees of humid heat while admiring the remains of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Then to Xi’an where I explored its bustling streets, old city walls and the Terracotta Army before heading northwest.

As the modern cities gave way to desert and mountains, each stop revealed a new chapter of history. In Jiayuguan, remnants of the Great Wall marked the empire's western edge. In Dunhuang, the Mogao Caves held centuries of Buddhist art, hidden in the sands of the Gobi. I continued through Turpan, where ancient irrigation systems still sustain life in the desert, and saw how the Uyghur Muslim culture is struggling to survive in Kashgar.

The long train and bus rides were meditative, stretching across remote and dramatic landscapes.  By the time I reached Kashgar, nestled at the foot of the Pamir Mountains, I had traveled not just miles but centuries. The journey was a vivid, immersive experience through the heart of the Silk Road’s enduring legacy.

But it wasn’t just history that amazed me — I marvelled at modern China too. High-speed rail lines, vast solar farms, wind turbines, and highways stretching into the horizon spoke of a country building for the future. I saw tree-planting initiatives and desert greening projects transforming arid land into living ecosystems. This blend of past and future made the journey truly remarkable.