#overnight train

We headed back into Lanzhou to catch an overnight train to Jiayuguan and to check out the local sights while we wait for the train.

Our first stop was the Gansu Provincial Museum, which has a large exhibit of items from the Silk Road. Of course, most of them come from tombs.

The whole bronze calvary came from the tomb of a general.

There were glazed ceramic figures.

And much more. But the star of the exhibit is the bronze flying horse, which has become the symbol of the city.

I stopped in the museum coffee shop, but didn't see the lattes with designs printed on top. The couple that also sat at the table were very pleased with their flying horses.

We went down to the shore of the Yellow River, which flows through town. Our first stop was the Iron Bridge, the first one across the river in the early 1900's. It's now a pedestrian bridge, a good idea, as it is a very light design.

Looking at the bridge, it's clear they strengthened it some time ago. The arched top chord is clearly not original.

There are still New Year exhibits up.

We stopped at a place offering traditional rafting excursions on the river. Very Traditional! The rafts are made from inflated sheep skins and tied to a wooden frame.

They are certainly colorful, but I'm not sure how maneuverable.

After dinner, we stopped in a local snack shop for provisions for the 9-hour train trip. No one bought the variously flavored packaged chicken feet snacks!

I was busy enough getting on the train and such that I took no photos. The overnight train is much older than the high-speed trains. but still adequate. We had three cabins for the 12 of us, four bunks per cabin.

In the morning, we were traveling through the Gobi Desert.

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