Before we begin our look at the mystical, rugged and ethnically heterogeneous Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, a little shout-out to all the photographers out there. The intrepid explorers who so beautifully captured the landscape and people of Xinjiang have some talent, as you will soon see. Of course, they chose their subject well. The massive swath of relatively unspoiled wilderness that is Xinjiang, China is one of the few places left in Asia, perhaps even the planet, that feels desolate in a sexy, new frontier kind of way.
Though there has been a groundswell of trend appeal among underground backpackers and adventure tourists in recent years to tackle the region, Xinjiang is still largely sheltered from the mainstream. Yes, the capital city Urumqi has become an important base in the region, with close to 2.7 million people. Yet overall, with a size that dwarfs most of Western Europe and encompasses over one-sixth of the country, the region of 20 million people feels hidden. Did anyone detect a hint of Uyghur culture on display during the Beijing Olympics for example, with the notable exception of Abdulla Abdurehim’s music?
With more in common with Central Asia than Han China, Xinjiang is awash with spectacular diversity. Venture to Xinjiang and you will find yourself on the doorstep of Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tibet. From prolific mountain summits to deep valleys, grassy steppes and desert, the enormous region spans disparate topography. Throw in the Turkic culture of the Uyghur people and you have one valuable destination.
Here are some notable places and features of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
With record depths in China, freshwater Lake Kanas is a veritable oasis amid the harsh climes of Xinjiang. The Altai mountain range lake provides a home to a wide array of wildlife, some of the mysterious variety. The area around Kanas is also a fertile base for nomadic Tuvan herders.
Epic mountain vistas are endless in Xinjiang. From the Tian Shan mountain range that marks the border with Kyrgyzstan to the Altai Mountains that define where Xinjiang meets with Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan, the region is studded with prodigious peaks.
As the traditional birthplace of Turkic culture, the Altais have a lot of inherent appeal and form a UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site. The oasis city of Kashgar is a good base from which to explore the awesome Tian Shan. Part of the Himalayan belt, the mountains boast summits that exceed 7,000 metres.
In big, cosmopolitan urban areas of North America and Europe, there are few ethnic frontiers of cuisine left to broach. Or so it would seem. As sophistication and demand for specialization soars, niche culinary traditions come to the fore. This certainly explains the rise of Uyghur restaurants in places like San Francisco, New York, Toronto and Montreal. For a real deal taste of Uyghur food however, you have to visit Xinjiang.
Often credited in part with the exceptional longevity rates in Xinjiang, Uyghur cuisine features a wide variety of spices and traditions familiar to those in the Islamic world. Dairy, naan bread, noodles, tomatoes, onions, mutton, goose and camel are dietary staples and rich stews and fiery skewers of meat figure prominently.
Beautiful, pristine, alpine Lake Sayram offers idyllic scenery. At the footsteps of the Tian Shan Mountains, the large lake sits at an elevation of 2,070 metres.
Known as Santai Haizi in China, the lake’s name means “blessing” in Kazakh.
Turfan is a worthwhile oasis city to visit in Xinjiang. With a diverse populace of over 250,000, 70% of whom are Uyghur, the former commercial hub on the Silk Road has a singular heritage in China and superb landmarks to discover.
From the grand Emin Minaret of Uyghur Mosque to the sandstone hills of Flaming Mountains in Taklamakan Desert, Turpan is terrific.
The capital city of Xinjiang creeps up on visitors by surprise, many of whom cross barren landscapes only to find a shiny, modern metropolis of New China. With the backdrop of the Yamalik mountains, Urumqi’s skyline may be one of the most impressive in Asia.
The most remote city in the world from any seacoast has become a hospitable tourist haven over the past decade. Superb points of interest include Xinjiang Silk Road Museum, International Grand Bazaar of Xinjiang and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum. Glacier No. 1 and the Shuimugou Hot Springs provide wonderful day trips from Urumqi.
NOTE: In July 2009, decades-old ethnic tensions between Xinjiang’s native Muslim Uyghur and Han populations came to a head in bloody, violent clashes in the streets of Urumqi. Lack of freedom of the press in the People’s Republic of China inhibits accurate reports but the injury toll was most likely in the thousands. Government officials in the region continue to blame Uyghur protests on terrorist links with the East Turkistan Islamic Movement.
As a result of the unrest and though Uyghur ire is directed at Han Chinese wealth, power and authority in the massive region, proceed with caution in Xinjiang and especially in the capital city of Urumqi.
Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Very nicely summarized. This really is a beautiful province, albeit incredibly large. To see all the places you have described would take a couple weeks of travel.
As a side note, that picture of Urumqi is amazing. Never before in my many years here have I ever seen what the paved portion of that highway looks like! Usually it’s packed bumper to bumper with cars