I camped in the desert near the fortress of 嘉峡関, went back there for sightseeing in the morning. The entrance fee was 100 yuan, which is 1580 yen, 9.4 Euro. It's more expensive than the fee of the temples in Kyoto, yet it was so crowded mostly with Chinese people. Many had Nikon. Rich they are.
Again I didn't recognize any Japanese. Where are they?
I happened to be together with 2 couples from 広東 to look around. They were also rich, hiring a guide and a taxi to travel together, having been to Tokyo, etc.
One of them told me,
"It's allowed in China to stay overnight in open air when there is no hotel around."
He meant to me, to a foreigner. Oh, that's a good news! I don't have to be so sneaky any longer, though I still wouldn't dare to set up my tent while it was light and someone might be watching me.
The route runs in Gobi desert now. The distance between places where I can get food or water is getting longer. The altitude changes mildly. It goes high between cities, and low in a city where there is water and green.
I sometimes saw graves in the desert. Some had decoration over, but still looked lonesome. I slept near one last night. The stars were amazingly beautiful. But the tent fluttered all night. It wasn't so peaceful on the ground.
26 July 2008, near 玉門市, 4575km
