Many people yearn for a view that can't be seen at a glance. Without the obstruction of high-rise buildings, this kind of place is a good place to cleanse the soul.
Although the sea is shocking, it is less gentle, and the grassland is delicate, but not tragic. Compared with the sea and grassland, I am more in love with the vast desert where coldness and gentleness coexist.
A green passage in the vast desert, a bridge of life in the sea of death
There are many large deserts in China. If you want to appreciate high-quality desert landscapes, besides Inner Mongolia, you must belong to Xinjiang. In terms of area alone, the Gobi desert may be the protagonist of Xinjiang.
Speaking of the deserts in Xinjiang, Taklamakan cannot be avoided. As the largest mobile desert in China and the second largest in the world, the Taklamakan Desert covers an area of 330,000 square kilometers, which is larger than the area of Guangxi Province.
The natural environment here is harsh, and it even has the title of "Sea of Death". However, thanks to the strong infrastructure construction in our country, the Sea of Death has built one after another green passages, economic corridors and bridges of life, which has also made many Travelers have the opportunity to taste the charm of Taklamakan up close.
These green passages are the famous Taklimakan Desert Highway, which is currently the world's longest grade road running through the flowing desert. Because it is located in the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, it is also called "Tarim Desert Highway".
In recent years, driving across the desert road has become a reserved item for visiting the Taklimakan Desert, attracting countless travelers who love challenges to come to the pilgrimage.
In fact, the Taklimakan Desert Highway is a broad concept, not referring to the name of a certain road, but a collective name for multiple roads in this desert.
With the steady progress of road construction from Yuli County to Qiemo County in Xinjiang this year, the Taklamakan Desert Road has increased to four, namely Luntai County to Minfeng County, Alar City to Hotan City, Alar City to Qiemo County Tazhong Town, and Yuli County to Qiemo County.
The longest flowing desert road in the world that has been officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records refers to the road from Luntai County to Minfeng County. Most travelers choose to drive through this desert road.
How dangerous is it to drive a single bike across a desert road?
Travelers who often drive by themselves know that unless it is absolutely necessary, it is best not to choose a single-person bicycle to drive by themselves. Especially in places with harsh natural environments and unsatisfactory road conditions, not only is it difficult to guarantee safety, but also no one will share the beautiful scenery along the way with you.
But on the desert road, I still chose the way of single bicycle, why?
The main reason is that the risk of this desert road is not high, and the road conditions are still very good. It should not be a big problem under the premise of adequate preparation.
Facts have proved that when driving in the desert, the biggest challenge you need to face is not from nature, but more from wrestling with your inner loneliness.
Minfeng County belongs to the Hotan area of Xinjiang, and it is also the starting point at the southern end of the Desert Highway. Turning from Minfeng County to the direction of the desert road, after 10 minutes, the scenery on both sides of the road began to gradually change, the vegetation became less and less, and finally turned into two neat rows of sand-fixing belts, and the sky was full of yellow sand in the distance.
The whole journey from Minfeng to Luntai is 566 kilometers in total. There is only one accommodation and refueling point along the entire desert road. Sometimes you can drive for half an hour without seeing a single car. It can be said that most of the time, you have to fight alone.
In addition to fewer cars and fewer people, the monotonous scenery is also a major test of the desert road. It is undeniable that I was very excited when I first entered the desert road. There were novel landscapes in front of my eyes, and I swayed along with the single "Desert Camel" in the car.
But after an hour, boredom, sleepiness, and loneliness began to slowly take over the initial excitement and curiosity. The landscape and colors in front of me seemed to have no change, and it remained the same after three or five hours.
In this uninhabited land, you have to feel the cruelty of nature alone. There is no expanse of relaxation and joy, only depression and confusion.
Although it is cruel, isn't this the charm of the desert road? Walking in a dead sea without green, you may feel fear, you may face helplessness, or you may not be able to find yourself, but you still have to learn to be with Peaceful coexistence of inner negativity.
Just like life, what you encounter cannot be all beautiful. You must learn to face adversity calmly, appreciate the beautiful scenery along the way from hardships, and finally come out bravely.
Only a desolate desert, no desolate life
In Taklimakan, there is a passage of life on the ground, and a source of energy underground. Oil is another business card of the Taklamakan Desert.
Driving on the desert road, from slogans, road signs to special transportation lanes, elements about oil can be seen everywhere.
According to relevant national resource statistics, the total oil and gas resources in the entire Tarim Basin amount to 17.8 billion tons. It has been the main source of gas for the West-to-East Gas Pipeline all year round, ensuring the life and production of 15 provinces and cities in the east and more than 100 large and medium-sized cities. Use gas.
In order to ensure the development of oil resources, in this uninhabited land, a large number of oil workers work silently in a difficult environment, with yellow sand and severe cold as companions day and night, with hard work and sweat, dedicated to the production and life of the country and the people youth.
There is only a desolate desert, and there is no desolate life. All travelers who have driven this desert road by themselves will definitely remember this sentence. The placards with these 14 eye-catching characters stand on the sandy slope beside the desert road, warning everyone who passes by here.
It is in this desolate desert where not a single blade of grass grows that the road construction workers in our country only took more than two years to build the longest flowing desert road in the world, which can be called a major milestone in the history of world road construction. Miracle.
However, building roads in the desert is only the first step. The most difficult thing is the post-protection project. A windbreak and sand-fixing grass strip almost runs through the entire 500-kilometer road on both sides.
A strong wind blows, and a lot of sand will still be blown onto the road. The sand dunes gradually erode the edge of the asphalt road, and occasionally groups of maintenance workers can be seen working beside the road.
The confrontation between human beings and nature is staged every day on this desert road.
The ruthlessness of nature is amazing, but what I admire more is the tenacity and determination of human beings.
Even though we have to be in awe of nature, awe is by no means a retreat, let alone a passive escape, but to create a better world without destroying the natural environment.
In the vast desert, it is precisely because of these lovely people that one miracle after another has been achieved in this desert. Because of them, we have a rich and beautiful life in the city.
Indeed, we cannot control the desolate desert, but whether life is wonderful can be created by our hands. This spirit is not only the life creed of many laborers in the Taklamakan Desert, but also inspires each of us!
Practical information Tips:
Location: Taklimakan Desert in southern Xinjiang
Transportation method: Self-driving, you can choose to start from Minfeng County in Hotan area, or from Luntai County in Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture
Ticket cost: free
Suitable season: all year round, the temperature is higher in summer, and the wind and sand in winter are larger
Note: It is recommended to fill up the fuel before departure. Generally, one tank of fuel can stick to the entire desert road. If you are not at ease, you can refuel at the only gas station in the middle of the desert road. (It is not recommended to take an external fuel tank)
In addition, when driving, pay attention to controlling the speed of the vehicle to prevent the monotony of the scenery and stalling. There are also several times on the road where you need to get a section speed limit strip. Safety comes first.
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