I went down a valley (well below 2,000m) and connected with main road G312 that I would ride thousands of kilometres to Kashgar close to Kirgistan. Being the only road east-west in this part of China, I had hoped for good quality but it was as narrow and bumpy as the secondary road I just left - and much busier. It was late so I used my last strength to climb a big hill and luckily found a place to camp 100 metres off the road behind a gravel pile. Difficult to get the tent up but at least no sand flight. I had dinner in the dark and went to bed after 22 with the wind howling and shaking the tent. An eventful 160k day...