Luoburen Village

Historical Overview
The Robe people are believed to descend from the Loulan Kingdom (1st–7th centuries CE), which thrived along the Silk Road before vanishing due to desertification. Key historical milestones include:

• 1st Century BCE: Robe ancestors settled near Lop Nur Lake, relying on its waters for fishing and farming.
• 7th Century: Tang Dynasty texts mention "Lop Nur fishermen" trading with Central Asian caravans.
• 1972: The Chinese government relocated Robe families to Yuli County as Lop Nur Lake dried up.
• 2005: Archaeologists discovered the "Goddess of Lop Nur" mural in a nearby cave, dated to the 3rd century.
• 2018: The village was included in China’s "Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection List" for its reed-boat craftsmanship.

Structural Layout
The village follows a traditional oasis layout with three distinct zones:

1. Robe Residential Zone:
   • Reed-Thatched Houses: Circular dwellings constructed from interwoven reeds and mud, featuring central courtyards for communal cooking.
   • Fishing Dock: A 500-meter wooden pier where Robe fishermen launch reed boats to catch Tarim carp.
   • Goddess Temple: A 19th-century shrine housing a jade statue of the "Goddess of Lop Nur," believed to protect travelers.
2. Cultural Experience Zone:
   • Robe Museum: Displays 1,000+ artifacts, including bronze mirrors from the Loulan Kingdom and silk scrolls with Tocharian script.
   • Reed-Boat Workshop: Hands-on sessions to build traditional vessels (¥150/person, 2 hours).
3. Natural Wonders Zone:
   • Ancient Huyang (Poplar) Forest: A 20 km² grove of 1,000-year-old trees, accessible via camel caravan.
   • Lop Nur Dry Lakebed: A surreal salt flat where visitors can find "desert roses" (gypsum crystals).

Major Attractions

1. Goddess of Lop Nur Cave: A 3rd-century Buddhist grotto with murals depicting the goddess riding a mythical beast.
2. Tarim River Cruise: 2-hour boat tours past Robe fishing villages and migratory bird colonies (¥80/person).
3. Loulan Kingdom Ruins: A 1-hour drive to the archaeological site of the ancient Silk Road city.
4. Robe Night Market: Street food stalls serving kawa (roasted whole lamb) and naan bread baked in sand pits.
5. Desert Survival Camp: Overnight stays in yurts with stargazing and sandboarding (¥300/person).

Suggested Itineraries

1. Half-Day Desert Discovery:
   Entrance → Robe Museum (view Loulan artifacts) → Reed-Boat Workshop (build a miniature vessel) → Goddess Temple (light incense) → Exit.
   Highlights: Cultural history and craft activities.

2. Full-Day Oasis Adventure:
   Entrance → Tarim River Cruise (spot wild camels) → Ancient Huyang Forest (hike with a local guide) → Lop Nur Dry Lakebed (collect crystals) → Robe Night Market (dinner) → Exit.
   Highlights: Nature exploration and culinary experiences.

3. Two-Day Silk Road Immersion:
   Day 1: Residential Zone as above.
   Day 2: Camel trek to Loulan Ruins (4 hours) → Desert Survival Camp (overnight).
   Highlights: Archaeological sites and desert camping.

Ticket Purchase

• Online: Book via Ctrip or the official Xinjiang Tourism Website (www.xjtour.gov.cn).
• On-Site: Tickets available at the village South Gate (main entrance).
• Prices:
  Combined Ticket (Museum + Boat Tour): ¥180 (adults), ¥90 (students).
  Single Attractions: ¥50–¥100 (adults), ¥25–¥50 (students).
  Free: Children under 1.2m, disabled visitors, and journalists.

Transportation

• By Plane: Fly to Korla Airport → Take taxi to Yuli County (¥120, 1.5 hours).
• By Train: High-speed rail to Korla Station → Transfer to bus #20 to Lop Nur Village (¥30, 1 hour).
• By Car: Self-drive from Ürümqi via the G218 Highway (6 hours, 580 km).
• Local Transport: Camel carts (¥50/hour) or electric buggies (¥30/hour) within the village.

Best Time & Tips

• Peak Season: April–June (wildflower bloom), September–October (mild weather).
• Avoid Crowds: Visit weekdays (Monday–Thursday); weekends host Uyghur wedding ceremonies.
• Essentials:
  • Pack a scarf and sunglasses (desert sandstorms common).
  • Bring a reusable water bottle (vendors sell herbal tea).
  • Photography: Ask permission before photographing Robe elders.
  • Prohibited: Removing crystals from the dry lakebed, feeding wild animals.