Brief Introduction of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

** Geography and Natural Conditions
Xinjiang, also called Xin for short, is located in northwestern China. Largest in area in China, the Xinjiang covers an area of 1.66 million sq km, one sixth of Chinese territory. At the end of 2004, the total population of the region was 19.63 million. Xinjiang shares 5,600 km of frontier with Mongolia in the northeast, then Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the west, and then Afghanistan, Pakistan and India in the southwest. Characteristics of landform of Xinjiang are described as mountains and basins alternating with each other and basins caught in mountains' embrace. Local people simply describe this characteristic as ''three mountains with a basin between each two''. In the north lies Altai Mountains, in the south is Kunlun Mountains, while Tianshan Mountains lay along the middle dividing Xinjiang into two parts: in the southern part stretches Tarim Basin and in the northern part Jungar Basin. By custom, the part south of Tianshan Mountains is called South Xinjiang, the part north of Tianshan Mountains called North Xinjiang. Tarim Basin, the largest of its kind in China, lies between Tianshan Mountains and Kunlun Mountains. In the center, part of Tarim Basin stretches Taklimakan Desert, the largest mobile desert in China and the second largest in the world. 2100-km-long Tarim River is the longest continental river in China. In the east of Xinjiang is Turpan Basin where the lowest point is -154m high, being the lowest part of China in height above sea level. Xinjiang contains the driest, hottest and coolest spots in China.
** Climate
Xinjiang is under the control of a typical extra tropical belt continental climate. Situated in the heart of the desert and the furthest city in the world from the ocean, temperatures here tend to be very extreme. Winters are very COLD and summers are extremely HOT. In the coldest month (January), the average temperature is more than 68F below. The average temperature in the so-called 'oven' of Turpan in the hottest month (July) is above 91.4F. Xinjiang is only second to Tibet in solar total radiation. Winter temperatures in northern Xinjiang are higher than in the south of the province. Winter falls between November and April although there is a strong sun all year round. The average rainfall in Xinjiang is about 6 inches, although this does vary according to the region.
** Brief History
Xinjiang, called Western Region in ancient times, has been an inalienable part of China from ancient times. In 60 BC, Xinjiang officially became a part of China's territory for that year central government of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC--8 AD) founded the West Region Frontier Command. In 1884, the government of the Qing Dynasty (1616--1911) established Xinjiang Province. In 1949, Xinjiang was liberated peacefully. On October 1, 1955, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was establishment. Throughout history, Xinjiang has long been an important staging post along the Silk Road. The Silk Road promoted commercial and cultural exchange between many ancient nations and most importantly, between the East and the West. The Silk Road began in the ancient Tang dynasty (618--907) capital of China, Chang'an (modern day Xi'an City). The world famous ancient Silk Road had three trunk lines across Xinjiang totaling over 5000 km. Along the three trunk lines of Silk Road there are hundreds of cultural sights such as ancient cities, ancient tombs, thousand-Buddha caves and ruins of ancient garrison troops cultivated land. Of them, well known both at home and abroad are Jiaohe Ancient City, Gaochang Ancient City, Loulan Ancient City, Kizil Thousand Buddha Grotto and Apak Hoja Tomb (commonly known as Xiangfei Tomb). One of the most important trading cities in Xinjiang was Kashgar.
** Religion
Xinjiang is a region filled with different religious beliefs. These include Islam, Lama Buddhism (Tibetan Buddhism), Buddhism, Shamanism and rare pockets of Christianity. Of the above mentioned, Islam has had the greatest influence on the region as Islam is the religion of the Uygur people who are the largest ethnic group in Xinjiang. Before the conversion of the Uygur people to Islam, Buddhism was the major religion of the region. With the conversion of the Uygur people to Islam in around the 13th century, Xinjiang developed into the mainly Muslim region that it is today.
** Shopping
Danbur (uniquely resonant instrument), Dutar (only hand-strum stringed instrument), Rewapu (stringed instrument), Dapu (typical hand drum), Nagela ( large drum), Xinjiang Knives, Hats, Clay Pottery, Kashgar Carpets, Jewelry, Wood-dyed cloth, Silk, etc.
** Uygur Nationality
Uygur, also Uighur, Turkic people inhabits northwestern China and Kazakhstan. The language spoken by these people is belonged to the Turkic group of the Altaic languages. According to ancient records, the Uygur, known then as the Yuechi, allied themselves in the 7th century of the Tang Dynasty (618--907) of China. In 744, the Uygur took Mongolia, establishing their capital near what is today the ruined city of Karakorum, Mongolia. Driven out of Mongolia in 840 by the Kirgiz, a native people, the Uygur founded two kingdoms in northwest China, one in Gansu Province and the other in the eastern part of Xinjiang. The latter kingdom fell to the Mongols in the 13th century.
** Food
Many of the dishes use Turkish and Islamic spices and flavorings. Much of the food tends to be very spicy too, with peppers and chili. The staple food is not rice, but noodles. La mien and Ban mien (noodles served with mutton and a spicy vegetable stew) are hugely popular in all the cities. Grilled mutton kebabs are another common specialty, familiar to western taste buds too! Xinjiang also harvest some wonderfully tasty and fresh fruit. Turpan has an abundance of grapes and raisins. Hami melon is also very good. Western food is rarer, but there are numerous branches of John's Information Cafe set up across the province, catering to western and backpacker tastes serving up pancakes, coffee and burgers!

** National AAAAA Tourist Attractions in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
1. Tianchi Lake on Tianshan Mountain in Fukang County of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture
2. The Grape Valley in Turpan County of Turpan Region
3. Kanas Lake in Buerjin County of Aletai Region
** National Key Scenic Area in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
1. Tianchi Lake on Tianshan Mountain in Fukang County of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture
2. Bosten Lake in Bohu County of Bayiguole Mongolia Autonomous Prefecture
3. The Sayram Lake in Bole City of Boertala Mongolia Autonomous Prefecture
4. Kumutage Desert in Shanshan County of Turpan Region
** National famous historic and cultural cities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region 
Kashgar (Kashi) City

Urumqi city is the capital of Xinjiang autonomous region and the center of politics, economy and culture of Xinjiang. Urumqi city is located in the middle--northern of Tianshan, the south edge of Zhunger Basins. The average elevation of Urumqi city is 800 meters. It belongs to semiarid continental climate of middle temperate zone, annual average temperature is 43.52F and annual average precipitation has 236 mm. The total area is 12000 square kilometers, among which the city program area is 1600 square kilometers. Urumqi is a multi-national city, where there are 43 ethnic groups headed by the Han, the Uygur, the Kazak, the Hui, the Mongolian and etc, with a total population is 1548 thousands up to the end of 1998 year, of which minority nationality makes up 27.3 percent . The city was founded in 1763.