Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China is located in the northwest of China and the interior of Eurasia. The Silk Road connected ancient China with the world, making it a place of coexistence and exchange among various civilizations. Xinjiang has long been a multi-ethnic area and has officially become a part of China since the Han dynasty. Today, it is the home of all 56 Chinese ethnic groups.

 

Close to Nature

The landform of Xinjiang can be summarized as "three mountains segmenting two basins"; from the north to the south, there lie the Altai Mountains, Tianshan Mountains and Kunlun Mountains. To the north of the Tianshan Mountains is Junggar Basin, and to the south is Tarim Basin, in which Taklimakan Desert is China's largest and world's second largest shifting sand desert. To the east of the Tianshan Mountains, Turpan Depression marks the lowest point of China - 154.31 meters below sea level; to the west is Ili Valley, where the scenery is as charming as that of the lush south bank of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

The Fairyland - Kanas / Photo by Juniper Photon

Nuerjia Canyon

Sky Prairie - Nalati Grassland / Photo by Andy Guan 

Body-shaped Prairie - Kalajun Grassland / Photo by Qingbao Meng 

Tarim Populus Euphratica National Forest Park

Keketuohai National Park, Altay

Alluvial Fan, Kunlun - Altun Mountains / Photo by USGS

 

World Natural Heritage

Xinjiang Tianshan

Xinjiang Tianshan, or the eastern portion of the Tianshan mountain range, comprises four components - Tomur, Kalajun-Kuerdening, Bayanbulak and Bogda. Xinjiang Tianshan presents unique physical geographic features and scenically beautiful areas - from red bed canyons to glacier-capped peaks, from undisturbed forests and meadows to clear rivers and lakes. These landscapes contrast with the vast adjacent desert landscapes, creating a striking visual contrast between hot and cold environments, dry and wet, desolate and luxuriant, majestic and delicate. The landforms and ecosystems of the site have been preserved since the Pliocene epoch and present an outstanding example of ongoing biological and ecological evolutionary processes in a temperate arid zone. Altitudinal vegetation distributions, significant differences between north and south slopes, and diversity of flora, all illustrate the biological and ecological evolution of the Pamir-Tian Shan Highlands. Xinjiang Tianshan has outstanding biodiversity and is an important habitat for relic species, numerous rare and endangered species as well as endemic species.

Tianchi Lake, Tianshan Mountains

Tianshan Mountains / UNESCO

 

Embrace Colorful Life

Xinjiang is rich in ethnic culture with diverse ethnic groups featuring different customs, arts, sports, costumes, cuisines, etc. Xinjiang is known as the "land of singing and dancing" where Sanam and Dolan dances of the Uyghur, Eagle dance of the Tajik, Sauurdin dance of the Mongolian and a variety of folk dances bloom.

Mongolian Sauurdin Dance

Meshrep

Xinjiang Lamb Skewers

Xinjiang baked buns

Huyang grilled fish

 

Special thanks to:

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regions Culture and Tourism Department

chinaculture.org

https://en.unesco.org/

http://www.zgysyjy.org.cn