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Rasta Mosque
The charming Rasta Mosque, near Kuqas Sunday Bazaar, draws a throng of worshippers at Friday lunchtime. North of here, through the old town, is the large but less animated Great Mosque , built in 1931 on the site of a 16th-century original.
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Golden Hall
There are magnificent views from the Golden Hall, constructed entirely from bronze, dating from 1416 and in dire need of some buffing up. A small statue of Zhenwu – Ming emperor and Wǔdāng Shān’s presiding Taoist deity – is enclosed within.
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Drayur Gyagar Ling
The Drayur Gyagar Ling was originally the centre for the translation of texts, as depicted on the wall murals. Theres an inner kora here. The main statue on the upper floor is of Sakyamuni, flanked by his Indian and Chinese translators.
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James Cohan
Excellent New York gallery representing international artists; this provocative Shànghǎi branch is set in a lovely art deco villa wth a gorgeously shaded garden and an original slogan from the Mao era above the door (a rarity in Shànghǎi).
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Hojamu Tomb
The tomb is a mazar (that is, a tomb of a saint or holy notable that often functions as a pigrims destination), said to hold the first Uighur to convert to Islam. Any Uighur planning a pilgrimage to Mecca is expected to stop here beforehand.
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Gar Gompa
Nestled on the ridge of a forested mountain about 70km south of Sharda is this gompa. Wildlife is prevalent in the area, including blue sheep and monkeys. It’s a popular spot for birdwatchers. A taxi from Sharda costs about ¥500 return.
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Fēng Shuǐ Museum
This museum includes a model of the town, illustrating its feng shui–inspired design. A helpful English-speaking guide is sometimes available here. It’s next to Tiānyī Youth Hotel on Dadong Jie (大东街), and is free to enter for hotel guests.
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Macau Tower
At 338m, Macau Tower looms above the narrow isthmus of land southeast of Avenida da República. You can stay put on the observation decks on the 58th and 61st floors, or challenge yourself to a bungee jump or some other form of extreme sport.
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Chapel of Our Lady of Penha
Once a place of pilgrimage for sailors, this humble chapel offers tranquility and respite from the heat on a hot summers day. The original church was founded in 1622 by the survivors of a ship that had narrowly escaped capture by the Dutch.
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Ten Thousand Buddha Cave
South of Three Bīnyáng Caves , the Tang-dynasty Ten Thousand Buddha Cave dates from 680. In addition to its namesake galaxy of tiny bas-relief Buddhas, there is a fine effigy of the Amitabha Buddha. Note the red pigment on the ceiling.
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White Dagoba
Topping Jade Islet (琼岛; Qióngdǎo) on the lake, the 36m-high Tibetan-style White Dagoba (白塔; Báitǎ) was built in 1651 for a visit by the Dalai Lama, and was rebuilt in 1741. Climb up to the dagoba via the Yǒng’ān Temple (永安寺; Yǒng’ān Sì).
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Old Street
Running a block in from the river, Old Street is lined with fun souvenirs, wooden shops and restored Ming-style Huīzhōu buildings. Things keep running till late. Duck into the side alleys for small eateries and glimpses of local life.
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Ngamchö Monastery
On the top floor is the bedroom and throne of the Dalai Lama. A side chapel is devoted to medicine, with images of the eight medicine buddhas. The protector chapel displays fine festival masks, representing snow lions, stags and demons.
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Great Wall Museum
This impressive museum provides a comprehensive history of the Wall in this region and includes interesting scale models of the walled town and surrounding Great Wall locations. Plenty of photos and artefacts, as well as OK English captions.
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Five Dragon Pool Park
These waters swirl up from the deepest depths of all the springs in the city to fill blue-green pools teeming with lucky carp. The park is a serene study of local life, where elders paint calligraphy on the steps and kids chase the goldfish.
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Xīnghǎi Square
This square, which sports some gaudy architecture, is the site of Dàlián’s popular beer festival, and is a good place to people watch, fly a kite, or just stroll about. Nearby is a small beach and amusement park. Take the tram here from downtown.
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Tomb of Mahmud Kashgari
Mahmud Kashgari was a beloved local 11th-century scholar, traveller and writer. His renovated tomb, about 2.5km from the market on the edge of Upal Hill in Upal (Wùpà’ěr in Chinese) is a potential side excursion on the way up the Karakoram Hwy.
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Himalayas Museum
In the eye-catching Himalayas Center (attached to the Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel) and formerly the Zendai Museum of Art, this art gallery has become a fixture on the Pǔdōng art scene, with an emphasis on contemporary exhibitions in a modern art space.
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Cherchen Museum
Relics from Cherchen’s main sights are on display at this new regional museum, alongside displays ranging from yetis in the Altun Tagh mountains to the travels of explorer Sven Hedin. It’s in the northwest of town, by the huge new government square.
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Chinese Reading Room
This former drinks booth (c 1926), known as the ‘Octagonal Pavilion’ in Chinese, is a library with red windows and a slip of a staircase linking the two floors. Its a serene place where middle-aged and elderly men go to read newspapers for free.
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