4 ms·

Why Is China Building These Gigantic Structures In the Middle of the Desert?

15 points by teoruiz 15y ago

apaprocki 15y ago
Following some of the tracks leads back to a giant deposit of white sand and these shacks: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,93.742118&hl=de&ll=40.431371,93.794339&spn=0.002205,0.004892&num=1&t=h&vpsrc=6&z=18 http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,93.742118&hl=de&... Following the road from those shacks leads to this man-made something: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,93.742118&hl=de&ll=40.382072,93.801666&spn=0.004413,0.009785&num=1&t=h&vpsrc=6&z=17 http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,93.742118&hl=de&... And finally this complex: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,93.742118&hl=de&ll=40.348654,93.852671&spn=0.002208,0.004892&num=1&t=h&vpsrc=6&z=18 http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,93.742118&hl=de&...
- deleted 15y ago
  [deleted]
  - apaprocki 15y ago
    Well, take a look at the gigantic runways to the left of those strange symbols: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.47333,93.511505&spn=0.037608,0.078278&t=h&z=14&vpsrc=6 http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.47333,93.511505&spn=0.... They seem to be falling apart now, but I don't see what in the area would need such huge runways. There was a plane or two in that circular pattern, but nothing like the type of plane graveyard we have here in the US. I actually think you're probably right. Given the terrain it would make sense that there is something going on in the mountains here. I'm noticing that bright blue paint in a bunch of places. The roof of that facility I linked to was bright blue like your door and also the buildings falling apart to the NE of the runway are the same bright blue.
    - alexholehouse 15y ago
      [Accidental delete above] http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.33785151255085,93.75478148460388 http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.33785151255085,93.754781484... - might be a down ramp? What's the deal with the really bright light blue colouring? Like on (some of) the runways? It looks like an overlay to try and disguise something maybe? On a similar note, I'm tempted to post an Ask HN: about what people think this is; http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,90.85693359375 http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,90.85693359375
      - jff 15y ago
        The second link looks a lot like a refinery of some sort to me. The buildings are all linked together as though material is being passed from one to another during the process, and then I'd say the huge blue areas are pools of sludge left over.
mtraven 15y ago
Perhaps the explanation is in this Bruce Sterling story: http://lib.ru/STERLINGB/taklamakan.txt http://lib.ru/STERLINGB/taklamakan.txt

15 points by teoruiz 15y ago

Following some of the tracks leads back to a giant deposit of white sand and these shacks: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,93.742118&hl=de&ll=40.431371,93.794339&spn=0.002205,0.004892&num=1&t=h&vpsrc=6&z=18 http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,93.742118&hl=de&... Following the road from those shacks leads to this man-made something: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,93.742118&hl=de&ll=40.382072,93.801666&spn=0.004413,0.009785&num=1&t=h&vpsrc=6&z=17 http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,93.742118&hl=de&... And finally this complex: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,93.742118&hl=de&ll=40.348654,93.852671&spn=0.002208,0.004892&num=1&t=h&vpsrc=6&z=18 http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,93.742118&hl=de&...

deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
- apaprocki 15y ago
  Well, take a look at the gigantic runways to the left of those strange symbols: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.47333,93.511505&spn=0.037608,0.078278&t=h&z=14&vpsrc=6 http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.47333,93.511505&spn=0.... They seem to be falling apart now, but I don't see what in the area would need such huge runways. There was a plane or two in that circular pattern, but nothing like the type of plane graveyard we have here in the US. I actually think you're probably right. Given the terrain it would make sense that there is something going on in the mountains here. I'm noticing that bright blue paint in a bunch of places. The roof of that facility I linked to was bright blue like your door and also the buildings falling apart to the NE of the runway are the same bright blue.
  - alexholehouse 15y ago
    [Accidental delete above] http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.33785151255085,93.75478148460388 http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.33785151255085,93.754781484... - might be a down ramp? What's the deal with the really bright light blue colouring? Like on (some of) the runways? It looks like an overlay to try and disguise something maybe? On a similar note, I'm tempted to post an Ask HN: about what people think this is; http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,90.85693359375 http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.452107,90.85693359375
    - jff 15y ago
      The second link looks a lot like a refinery of some sort to me. The buildings are all linked together as though material is being passed from one to another during the process, and then I'd say the huge blue areas are pools of sludge left over.

mtraven 15y ago

Perhaps the explanation is in this Bruce Sterling story: http://lib.ru/STERLINGB/taklamakan.txt http://lib.ru/STERLINGB/taklamakan.txt