Embarking on an unforgettable journey to the west

This trip wasn't my first to Gansu province or the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, but it turned out to be the most unforgettable one yet as I journeyed by train from Lanzhou to Xinjiang.

It began in Lanzhou, Gansu, passing through Qinghai province, then heading west toward Zhangye in Gansu, and finally reaching Turpan in Xinjiang.

Heading westward, the continuous sight of snowcapped mountains, vast grasslands, herds of cattle and sheep, endless deserts and barren lands along the way, the changing scenery reminiscent of scenes from a movie, kept me and my fellow passengers captivated, with expressions of surprise and joy filling our journey.

These breathtaking landscapes once felt like a mystery, almost isolated from the outside world due to poor transportation.

The Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Li Bai once expressed in his poetry his desire to swiftly return home covering a thousand miles in a day. Around a thousand years later, Li's longings have become a reality.

Heading westward, along the way, what I saw were orderly and well-equipped waiting halls with modern facilities and a variety of shops.

I interacted with students and their parents who were on a study tour from Shanghai to Turpan.

They were no longer satisfied with the descriptions of the magnificent landscapes of the northwest in textbooks; instead, they were eager to personally travel and experience it. From their words and actions, it was even more evident how proud they were of the rapid development of high-speed rail.

The warmhearted locals in the bustling market at Turpan North Railway Station, much like the scorching local weather, made me feel right at home. The aroma of steaming naan bread, pilaf, sweet raisins was irresistible and truly made me feel that this journey was worthwhile.

At the station, I encountered a 70-year-old couple from Guangdong province waiting for their train. They had long harbored a desire to visit Xinjiang and finally realized their dream after years of planning. "We want to visit the Flaming Mountain, Hemu, Kanas and other scenic spots. We've been looking forward to this for a long time."

I can relate deeply to the joy they experienced when a long-cherished dream suddenly came true, and their courage is something I greatly admire.

Many young individuals yearn for a spontaneous trip, but the pressures of life and work often hinder them from taking that leap. With modern transportation being so convenient, I hope that everyone will seize the opportunity to embark on their adventures at the right moment.