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Xinjiang, officially called 'Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region,' (Uyghur： شىنجاڭ Chinese： 新疆维吾尔自治区; Xīnjiāng,) is located in the northwest of China, in the Mongolian Uplands. It is on the traditional Silk Road.

Regions

Cities

Other destinations

Culture and History

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 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. Other languages include Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik and Mongol.

Travel to Xinjiang - Visa Requirements

Tours and Getting around Xinjiang

Xinjiang tourist attractions and sightseeing

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

Xinjiang city tours

  • China Xinjiang Mountaineering Association / Vehicle Sports Association / International Sports Travel, 9 Guizhou Lu, ☎ 0086-991-3810777(cxmaas@yahoo.com.cn, fax: 0086-991-3810777), [1].  

Xinjiang Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

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.

Xinjiang nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

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.

Destinations in Xinjiang:

This page was last edited by Kevin Komoroski. Based on work by Timothy Chuter, Wandering, M. Hogue, Jani Patokallio and David Straub, Wikitravel user(s) Vidimian, Episteme, Pashley and WindHorse, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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