Not directly present in my photo, but close by and clearly visible to any sighted human, standing a few footsteps away from our table: Karakul Lake – the Pamir Plateau’s highest substantial lake.
The highest of the mountains that look down upon its shores is more than 4, 000 metres further above sea level.
Among mountains outside of the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges, Kongur Tagh (7,649 metres, the Pamirs’ tallest) is the highest of them all.
Our lunch was absolutely delicious; “great view” and “great food” are not always mutually-exclusive.
China-wide, Uyghurs comprise a small proportion of the national population.
In recent decades Uyghurs have become a “persecuted”/ “distrusted” minority.
Uyghur cuisine, however, is very popular, nationwide. (Increasingly, internationally too)
In and around Kashgar, Uyghurs are the majority population; we enjoyed consistently excellent Uyghur food, which was always graciously and generously served.
Uyghurs are deservedly renowned for their meat dishes, but vegetarians would easily find plenty of tasty and nutritious dishes in Kashgar’s good restaurants.
Eventually, a multi-image post will be devoted to Karakul Lake and its spectacular surrounds.