Hami, in east Xinjiang Province, is the first city you come across by train from heartland China. Hami went through many name changes on record and it settled for "Hami" in 1913. We witness the ravages of history everywhere in Hami. Let's start the two-day tour from Hami.

On day one we tour Gaisi Tomb and the Hui King Mausoleum. Gaisi, the third  disciple of Nabi Mohamed, was invited by the Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty to come to China with two followers as Islamic missionaries. One of the missionaries died en route and Gaisi and the other perished in Xingxing Valley near Hami on their homeward journey. The King Hui of Hami had erected  an arch bridge in his memory. Gaisi's remains were interred 1300 years later in the west suburb of Haili City and there a newer 10-meter high Muslim style tomb was built by the faithful. It is also called the "Saint Tomb".

Islam regards making the Hajj a lifetime goal. Thousands of Muslims spend their life savings on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Others come to the Gaisi Tomb as a modest alternative. Admission to the Tomb is free. You may either take the taxi or the tourist bus to get to the Gaisi Tomb. After the visit, take a taxi to the Hui King Mausoleum. It is also within walking distance from the Gaisi Tomb for the sure footed. The Hui King Mausoleum really is the tomb of the Hami King Hui III. On a vast tract of land, the Tomb and its history will take you hours to cover. Also, the largest mosque in Hami is nearby, beckoning you for a visit. Stay overnight at Hami Hotel (Address: No. 44, Yingbin Road, Hami, Xinjiang; Telephone: 86-902-2233667).

On the second day, we suggest that you rent a car for a trip to the Eight Stones and the Maier Valley in the morning, and then on to the Caved Buddha Temple in the afternoon. Miaoer Valley is 25 kilometers from Hami City, near the Huangtian Pasture. You come to the ruins of the summer palace belonging to Hami Hui King IV. Some traces of the once grand wall paintings are still evident. Then, drive on to the Eight Stones, named after the eight pieces of stone of various shapes and sizes. Like the Miaoer Valley, it was a summer palace and the orchard of the Hami Hui King. In the afternoon visit the Caved Buddha Temple. The Temple is the relic of the Buddhism Cave Temple. The Buddhist images in caves were excavated in the crags along the Baiyang Valley. You can still see some relics in the caves.