Though once secluded (与世隔绝的), even inaccessible, Kazakhstan today welcomes intrepid travelers with open arms.

Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked (内陆的) country, and the     1     (nine) largest in the world. The country is one of the most economically advanced in Central Asia, thanks to     2     (it) abundant oil reserves and other valuable minerals.

Even for some     3     (experience) travelers, Kazakhstan is still     4     unfamiliar state. While home to the raw beauty of the steppe (草原) and mountain scenery, there are no yurts (蒙古包) like in Kyrgyzstan     5     Mongolia. The country also has a fascinating history of medieval (中世纪的) Islamic architecture.

But for those     6     have stepped foot in the country, its most     7     (attract) features are its unique landscapes and freedom.

Panfilov Park in the eastern-center of Almaty has plenty     8     places of interest that offer a whistle-stop tour of the city’s history. Not far behind the     9     (large) of them is the yellow, green and red Tsaristera Ascension Cathedral (大教堂), a visually attractive structure that is claimed to be one of the tallest wooden     10     (build) in the world.

We only have nine days in Xinjiang. It’s     1     huge province, bordering eight countries and is impossible to     2     (full) explore in such a short time.

Our next stop, is Turpan—one of the world’s     3     (low) basins. The fast train from Uruqmi takes 1.5 hours     4     (reach) Turpan. It travels fast past vast wind farms in the red desert, but also oil and gas fields, a     5     ( remind) of why Xinjiang is so important to China.

In Turpan, an amazing karez(坎儿井) irrigation system has channeled water from the mountains for hundreds of years,     6     (keep) this desert oasis(绿洲) very fertile. Tourism hasn’t exactly caught on yet. When I ask to buy a bottle of the red wine     7     (produce) here, our host directs us to the local supermarket.

The boiling hot desert outside of Turpan is home     8       the remains of ancient towns long ago swallowed and kept by the sand.

As the temperature climbs to 38℃, we find Tuyoq, one of the few existing ancient villages,     9     the mud-built homes appear hidden against the sandy landscape. Only a green round roof can be seen. Outside one of the mud homes     10     (stand) a sign: “Former residence of Albert Von.”