An Effort as big as the Great Wall

In the Gobi desert, we learned of a massive, ancient public works project as big as the Great Wall. Because the Gobi desert climate is so dry, relying on snow-fed mountain streams for crops was unthinkable. The ancient Chinese desert dwellers dug over 17,000 vertical shafts and then climbed into those shafts to dig slanted underground canals, some as long as 15-16 miles. These canals allowed water to travel the distances needed to bring life-giving water to the people without worrying about evaporation.

We also learned the legend of the Flaming Mountain, when a priest made a journey to the west, crossing the hot mountain, borrowing a magical fan from a monster woman. From this story came four archetypes, representing four different kinds of personalities--one of which is a monkey king and the other a pig monk. Our visit to Flaming Mountain during China's "golden week" included a visit from these two characters. Chinese flock to this mountain like Americans go to Disneyland to see the mythical creatures there.

We also visited a Muslim minaret in the desert and got up close with the burial rites.

Checkpoint into the Canal System Exhibit. Notice anything different about the police officer?

We've never seen a police officer in high heels.

A vertical shaft dug to lower workers into the canal

The way they lowered workers into the canal system.

Underground water flowing.

I'm getting the better of him, right? Right? 

Flaming Mountain exhibit. Thousands of Chinese tourists here to see this mountain.

Laraine caught herself a pig monk, and the monkey king is right behind her. Flaming mountain background.

Monkey King

Commemorating the mythical story

Arriving at the Minarett

Prayer area.

When you kneel to pray, don't go falling down in any old way, do it carefully.

The different shapes denote whether the person buried was a man or a woman.

A blanket covering either an altar or a coffin, with offerings in the corner.