Tuyoq lady Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

The village of Tuyoq about 50km outside of Turpan, Xinjiang, is considered an Islamic holy site within China and is truly wonderful place to visit. People live in mud brick houses much the same now as they did hundreds of years ago and have resisted change and modernisation strongly. A few people have motorbikes, but that's about it.

It's nestled in the middle of the lush Tuyoq Valley, an oasis within the Taklamakan Desert. What surprised me is that even though it's now technically on the tourist map from Turpan, it has retained it's soul and identity. There are no shops, restaurans etc, only houses and people living their daily lives. I felt like an intruder for even being there, and in many ways I hope tourism doesn't increase for this place and slowly remove it's identity.

The best description of the place I've found is at:
www.adventuretravelbudget.com and search for Tuyoq (or Tuyuk, or TuYuGou - it has many names and spellings).

This part of China doesn't seem very stereotypically Chinese, the people and places look very different. I saw this lady coming up the hill in her bright blue dress which contrasted really strongly with the mud surroundings and tried to capture it. In the background is the entrance to Tuyok Mosque.

Let me know what you think!

jimmj63, BennyV, Silversnow, mafegan, kloppenborg has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jimmj63 (779) 2008-05-19 23:46

very very interesting shot for an amazing place. This photo smell of and lost old time, well composed with a good colors. The note is very usefull,

bravo,

ciao, giacomo

BennyV (4614) 2008-05-20 0:35

Hi Lee,

I'm very, very happy to read all is well in Tuyoq. This little village means a lot to me, because this is where I took the very first picture that showed me travel photography could be more than snapshots. In fact, I've just scanned it and will upload it later.

(On the other hand: to keep the village safe from tourism, maybe we shouldn't post these pictures? Thankfully, China is big enough and most tourists just don't have or take time enough.)

Enjoy your stay in China.

Benny

Silversnow (2107) 2008-05-21 9:52

great scene of everyday life in a remote world.
I like I should be whispering so as not to wake up this relic of ages past on the silk road. The composition is great, the old lady is striking, the dusty ground & buildings show how remote they are, and the children add a touch of hope for the future ;)

mafegan (4107) 2008-05-30 16:49

Hi Lee
A very well composed photo and interesting description of a part of this world which we have to hope not too many of us get to visit. Thanks for conveying the message.
Marlene

kloppenborg (799) 2008-06-29 16:58

Hi Lee,

I really like this one. The architecture and dress of the woman gives a good hint about the place. Must be a great place to visit.
I like the lines and colours of the pic.

Henrik

brevbrev14 (372) 2008-07-24 2:17

Hi Lee, very nice image of daily life
i like a lot to see the local architecture in background
the blue of the woman creats a great contrast in the middle of the yellow tones
good one
ciao!
Valeria

kensimage (8539) 2008-11-08 21:47

You're right, it certainly doesn't look Chinese, it looks central Asian--which I guess it is! I like the balance in this photo--between the woman coming and the other two going, between the curving dirt road and the faded buildings, between the architecture at upper left and the humanity at lower right. Regards, Ken.