Syd Stelvio Peking to Paris 25 - Day 13 – Forest Park Camp to Khorgos – 487km

This is it, the final day on the road in China, gun it and run, the border is just over the hill. The next hill though seemed to be hours away, with a monotonous drive away into the middle distance, down a highway flanked with streetlights come candelabras. I presume these were for the benefit of the Police that seemed to be stationed on every junction, there certainly wasn’t a lot else to illuminate.

487km needed to be conquered before we reached the final hotel in China, with the crossing of the border happening first thing the following morning. The first half of that distance took place in the aforementioned zone of repetitiousness, which I’ve heard is actually a government department in these parts. But, as the slogan for the old Irish Champagne tells us, good things come to those who wait, and the afternoon would be the yang to the mornings ying.

Once out of the middle of the day time-control, the route must have passed through some sort of wormhole, or some other Chinese mysticism was at play, because all at once the scenery was straight out of Austria. The chief concern with this, was that the Doctors would start singing again.

Spared their dulcet tones though, it was time for the days only competitive section, a regularity that climbed the mountain side up a series of gravel switchbacks that would prove too much for the Bentley MKVI Special of Dutch crew Peter Berveling and Pieck van Hoven, with it unable to climb the hills. I suppose there is a chance that the car just went into shock at the sight of such an incline, it’s just not used to that sort of thing in the Netherlands. The reward for a successful ascension of the switchbacks was stunning views of the Tianshan range from the mountain plateau, a vast landscape of mountain peaks stretching as far as the eye could see, it was just a shame that the regularity didn’t afford the opportunity to stop for any photos, though I’m sure some did.

China’s answer to the Alps continued post reg, with a wonderful run on the twisting tarmac of the pass, that descended into the Sayram Ugam National Park, home to the Sayram Hu, a meltwater lake that is the highest and largest in the Xinjiang region. The shore was lined with Generation Instagram, hundreds of couples attempting to strike the perfect pose, throwing more V Signs than a Winston Churchill Convention. There was a Wedding set up as well, though it wasn’t clear if this was a private do or a drive through. This time, there was occasion to stop for a snap or ten, although our tenure in the park was limited, with a visit from dignitaries scheduled in the afternoon.

From wonders of the natural world, it was time for some wonders of civil engineering, with mighty tunnels and motorway structures guiding the cars into Khorgos, our final destination in China. It’s hard to believe that 13 days have now elapsed, and tomorrow we will say goodbye to a nation that has been our home for getting on for three weeks, with all of the time spent in Beijing before the rally began taken into account. 5,392 km of the event are behind us, just over a third, and an entire country has been crossed. China? Completed it mate. Well, almost, border day tomorrow, an event that strikes fear into the hearts of people like Clerk of the Course Guy Woodcock. You probably won’t be able to get hold of him this evening. He will be in his room. With the blinds down and lights off. Sat in the corner. Shaking.

Syd