How about a trip to China Desert West

A region very much large enough to be a substantial country in its own right this vast but exceptionally sparsely populated region of China contains starkly contrasting geography. The Karakoram, Kunlun and Tian Shan mountain ranges create a breath-taking backdrop to the west of the region, while the Taklamakan Desert in the centre is clearly visible from space as being an utterly empty, pancake flat stretch of little else but pale sand with not a sole or building to be seen. Away from these contrasts, you have a region which formed the backbone of the old Silk Road and formed a vital trade link from China to the west, through countries such as Kazakhstan and Mongolia all the way to the Middle East and then Europe. As a result, the region has a diverse population, few of which would be recognisable as Chinese and which of late has made more than the odd news headline.