Listening to stones on Xinjiang's ancient grasslands By SUN MENG in Bortala, Xinjiang | China Daily | Updated: 2026-06-23 07:01

Listening to stones on Xinjiang's ancient grasslands By SUN MENG in Bortala, Xinjiang | China Daily | Updated: 2026-06-23 07:01 http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202606/23/WS6a39bec8a310986e2b461473.html On the vast Husta grasslands in Wenquan county, Bortala Mongolian autonomous prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, a solitary container house stands against the horizon. It serves as the base camp for the Husta archaeological team. The name Husta means "a place with birch trees" in Mongolian. Although the birch trees have long disappeared, endless grasslands remain, along with a group of dedicated archaeologists who have chosen a profession that is both quiet and, at times, lonely.