Caravanistan

I bought an English language copy (they had German too) of the Ruhnama outside the Russian bazaar for 12.60 USD. Still in its protective case and everything. It’s the store selling books (including those by Gurbanguly) on the western entrance

Slightly delayed but I was getting 18.6 manat to 1 AUD in Russian Bazaar on 6th of November. Easy enough to find places if you walk around the periphery inside.

If heading to or from Sarakhs border and needing a place to stay overnight the Tejen Hotel in Tejen only costs 12 manat (so much less than $1 USD). Pretty derelict but there weren’t any cockroaches and the owners are friendly.

Khorog border market was open last Saturday 21/9/19. We were told that Ishkashim’s was closed.

To get to Dunhuang from Urumqi you’ll need to catch the train to Liuyuan from which point there’s a 2 hour bus ride (~35¥) that can take you down to Dunhuang near the city centre.