Faraway outposts ensure safety close to home

As I lounged in the comfort of my well-heated home, a steaming cup of coffee by my side, putting the final touches on an article for my reporting assignment in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, I closed my eyes and attempted to summon memories of that icy, remote landscape on the nation's border.

Yet, it proved difficult.

Turning to my mobile phone, I scrolled through images of desolate border patrol tracks, snowcapped mountains and ancient glaciers casting a faint blue hue reminiscent of jade.