Xinjiang
From traveller-now
Contents
Xinjiang ([1], officially ' Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region; Uyghur： شىنجاڭ ; Chinese： 新疆维吾尔自治区 Xīnjiāng wéiwú'ěr zìzhìqū) is located in the North West of China, in the Mongolian Uplands. It is on the traditional Silk Road. The region has historically been populated by the Uighurs, a people more closely related to those in Central Asia than to the Han; however, in recent decades, the Chinese government has given money to attract Han to move to the region. Today the Han now form the majority of the population in the north while the west remains dominated by minority culture. Mandarin has become the primary language used (although Uighur is still an official language in the region), which has resulted in a handful of ethnic clashes and tension in the area.
Regions
Cities
- Urumqi - the capital
- Aletai
- Cherchen (also known as Qiemo)
- Hami
- Kashgar (Kashi)
- Khotan (also known as Hotan)
- Turpan
- Yarkand (also known as Shache)
Other destinations
Understand
The northwestern border region of Xinjiang, lauded variously as a land of song and dance, melons and fruits, precious stones, and carpets, is situated in the heart of the Eurasia Continent. Xinjiang was a key link on the Silk Road and a hub for east-west cultural exchanges in ancient times. The local folklore is rich and varied. The historical name of the region is East Turkestan.
The province is largely populated by Mainland ethnic minority groups, such as the Mongols, Kazaks, Kyrgyzs and Uighurs. Like Tibet, the demographic composition of the province has shifted over the past few decades. In 1949, Xinjiang's population was approximately 85% Uighur and 8% Han Chinese; today it is about 45% Uighur and 40% Han Chinese.
Already Kashgar is feeling the effects of the railway line completed in 1997. This town at the center of the silkroad is seeing its winding mud brick streets becoming gradually flattened in favour of Chinese-style streets typical of any other city in China.
Recommended reading for those interested includes Eurasian Crossroads: A History of Xinjiang by James Millward and The Mummies of Urumqi by Elizabeth Wayland Barber. Most great game literature also covers aspects of Xinjiang's history. Blogs covering current events in Xinjiang include The New Dominion, The Opposite End of China， and Far West China.
Talk
As everywhere in China, the official language is Mandarin. However, many other languages are spoken in Xinjiang. The most common is Uyghur, a Turkic language similar to Uzbek but written in Arabic script. Other languages include Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik and Mongol.
Get in
Get around
See
- Musa (mu), XInjiang (trip), ☎ 13565417241.
Itineraries
- Silk Road - During the Han and Tang dynasties, silk products and other goods were shipped to the capital city of Chang'an (present-day Xi'an), where the Silk Road started, and then they were transfered by a constant flow of foreign caravans along the Hexi Corridor to Europe by way of Xinjiang, where three routes were used to avoid the Taklimakan Desert
- Golden Travel Route - The Taklimakan in Tarim Basin, South Xinjiang, is the world's second largest desert which used to be dubbed "Death Sea". This itinerary will take you to the heart of the desert in search of places of historical interest, discovery of new landscapes and local customs and habits
- Silk Road in Xinjiang - Ancient Silk Road extended from Southern Europe through Arabia, Somalia, Egypt, Persia, India and Java until it reaches China. The southern part of Silk Route started from Xian and ended in Xinjiang in China.
Do
- China Xinjiang Mountaineering Association / Vehicle Sports Association / International Sports Travel, 9 Guizhou Lu, ☎ 0086-991-3810777 (cxmaas@yahoo.com.cn, fax: 0086-991-3810777), [2].
Eat
Lamb. Barbequed, grilled, fried, boiled, you name it, they eat it.
Watermelons. Ubiquitous small round tasty watermelons, in some cities at every second street-corner. Justly famous and renown throughout all of China!
Drink
Wusu beer!! Probably only 4% chinese beer, produced in Wusu city, Xinjiang.
Stay safe
Theft
Xinjiang is home to a lively bazaar culture where anything and everything is traded. But hordes of people crammed into confined spaces also present a prime opportunity for pickpockets, who often operate in teams and can be very efficient at what they do (I know from experience). Be very careful with your valuables when you are out and about. As a foreign traveler you are a prime target.
Counterfeit bills
Be careful when paying with 100 yuan bills in smaller restaurants or shops. The owner may switch the bill with a counterfeit one and claim that you gave him/her a fake bill. You should also check your bills when you are returned your hotel deposit.
Get out
Xinjiang borders eight countries, making it ideal for exploring the surrounding countries. Korgas and Alashankou lead to Kazakhstan, the Torugart and Irkeshtam passes lead to Kyrgyzstan, the Kulma pass leads to Tajikistan, and the Karakorum Highway leads south to Pakistan.
