You may have already seen the photos from the first half of my trip across Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang – here’s the second batch, for your viewing pleasure. These latest shots were taken along my route from Khotan in Xinjiang back to Lanzhou, which was full of surprises and much more beautiful than I was expecting it to be.

A note of explanation is needed, however. The weather on the last week of my trip was horrible – grey, dirty and wet (there can be few things more depressing than a soggy desert). For completeness’ sake I’ve included some photos from a previous trip to the same region in 2011. I hope that you enjoy looking through them…

P.S. Now that I’ve completed the trip, I’ve taken down my progress map – if you find yourself wondering ‘Where the hell is Charklik?’, the map is still online here.

Hats, Kashgar

The Chairman, Kashgar

“Take a photo of us!” #2, Yarkand

Yurt, Lake Karakul

Hay markey, Shufu near Kashgar

The Hanging Wall, Jiayuguan

Daoist Temple Ceremony, Wuwei

The Ruins of Jiaohe, Turpan

Bridle-maker, Shufu Sunday Market

Naan baker, Yarkand

Sunday afternoon in People’s Square, Kashgar

Lake Karakul, Karakoram Highway

Singing Sand Dunes, Dunhuang

“Take a photo of us!”, Yarkand

The Karakoram Highway

“Take a photo of us!” #3, Yarkand

Kashgar Old Town

Little girl with a shaven head, Yarkand

Tajik nomad, near Tashkurgan

Donkey, Yarkand

Tomb, Kashgar

Smog over Shenzhen

Fat-Bottomed Sheep, Shufu Sunday Market

Tomb #3, Kashgar

The Earth Pagoda, Zhangye

Blacksmith, Yarkand

Jiayuguan Fort

Tomb #2, Kashgar

A snake oil seller’s audience, Kashgar

Grasslands, Tashkurgan

Newborn Yak at Lake Karakul

Donkey Park, Shufu Sunday Market

Horse and Cart, Kashgar Livestock Market

Id Kah Mosque by night, Kashgar

Camel and Mini-Camel, Kashgar Livestock Market

Dutar maker, Yarkand

Big Buddha Temple, Zhangye

Goldfish, Wuwei

Kashgar Old Town

Singing Sand Dunes, Dunhuang

Tea-merchant’s wares, Kashgar

A fine bull, Kashgar Livestock Market