Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region ,one sixth of the total size of China and larger than any other province or autonomous region,is the northwestern Chinese border region with Tibet Autonomous Region to the south.And it is an exotic destination with ancient memories of the Silk Road and a well-famous grape producing place.
The map of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Ethnic Minority Groups
With a population of over 19 million, Xinjiang is home to 47 ethnic groups including the Uygur, the major ethnic group in Xinjiang ,it takes 47.47 % while Han takes 37.58 %.It is a region full of enthic diversity,with with major religions ranging from Lamaism (Tibetan Buddhism), Islam, Buddhism and Taoism to Christianity,ect.And its people is known far and wide for being excellent at singing and dancing.
Climate
Xinjiang has a continental climate,enjoys between 2,500 to 3,000 hours of sunshine each year and has a low annual rainfall of only 150 millimeters.Winters are very cold and summers extremely hot.The best time to visit this province is in the autumn, when the days are long, the sky is clear. The mean annual temperature of Xinjiang is 11.7oC.
Cities and Highlights
Urumqi,capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, means "A beautiful Pasture land " in ancient Mongolian.Urumqi is a city where multiethnic groups of people live in compact of mixed communities,you can sense a strong unique ethnicity all the time while walking around anywhere.
Lake of Heaven(Tianchi in chinese),is about 30 miles southeast of Urumqi,at an elevation of 6,435 ft. above sea level. It is a beautiful and famous highland lake with clear waters that reflect the surrounding mountains.
Lake of Heaven
Silk Road Tour ：During the Han and Tang dynasties, silk products and other goods were transported by a constant flow of foreign caravans along Hexi Corridor to Europe by way of Xianjiang,now the Silk Road has become a most enchanting tourist program in Xinjiang.
Kanas Lake,located in Northwest Xinjiang, has become the most popular scenic spot in Xinjiang,the stunning scenery makes you feel you are in the heaven.It is famous for the changing colors of water, it changes several times in a day, from dark green to sky blue, then to gray and white.
Kanas Lake
Turpan,very hot in summer, is one of the few places in the world that are below sea level. And it is famed by its richful grapes,tourists can eat all kinds of grapes here,they are cheap and fresh.Besides, you can have a wonderful journey,enjoying the strange beauty of the basin with its snow-capped mountains, its salt lake, and particularly its Fiery Mountains.
Bayanbulak(means the “the abundant spring” )Grassland,the vastest and most beautiful grassland of Xinjiang, is a great prairie boasting luxuriant verdant grass, numerous flocks of sheep and varied plants, etc.Everything is peaceful here.
Bayanbulak Grassland
Ancient State of Loulan & Lop Nur
Loulan, an ancient town founded in 2nd century BC,is an ancient kingdom along China's Silk Road in Xinjiang,the ruins of Loulan are on what were the western banks of Lop Nur. Lop Nur,the former water resources of Loulan,is quite mysterious and now it becomes a paradise for explorer.
The Sun Tomb in Lop Nur
Besides,there are still many places for you to visit,the most expansive desert Taklimakan,Kizil Grottoes and quite a few special tour programs are available in Xinjing, including camel-riding exploration of the deserts,climbing some of the world's highest mountains,ects.
Great Taste
Noodles served with mutton and a spicy vegetable stew are hugely popular in all the cities in Xinjiang,and these are their staple food.Much of the food are very spicy,and has much more of a Central Asian flavour than elsewhere in China.Grilled mutton kebabs are another common specialty,familiar to western favor too.Other Xinjiang-style food are roast mutton, kebabs, roast fish and rice to be eaten with the hand.
