Xinjiang Autonomous Region (شىنجاڭ ئۇيغۇر ئاپتونوم رايونى- or 新疆维吾尔自治区 ) is the largest administrative region of China. In the north west Covers an area of one-sixth of China is very diverse Most of them are Muslim. There are various beautiful nature. Whether it is a desert, a lake, a vast grassland and the vast mountains, both Tian San and Kunlun intend to travel in Xinjiang Make a plan.
In 1955, Xinjiang was turned into an autonomous region from a province. In the last decades, the East Turkestan independent movement, separatist conflict and the influence of radical Islam have both resulted in unrest in the region, with occasional terrorist attacks and clashes between separatist and government forces. They are mentioned in Chinese records from the 3rd century ce. They first rose to prominence in the 8th century, when they established a kingdom along the Orhon River in what is now north-central Mongolia.
Autonomous Region is a minority entity which has higher population of a particular minority ethnic group. China has 5 autonomous regions: Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Tibet (Xizang) and Xinjiang. Xinjiang famous for home of singing and dancing, the land of fruits, and the place of gold and jade stones. Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China boasts for its vast expanse, beautiful landscape and unique folk customs.
Places to visit in Xinjiang, China
1. Jiangbulak Scenic Spot
Jiangbulak Scenic Spot located 60 km south of Qitai County. Jiangbulak means the “source of holy water” in the Kazakh language. The spot boasts amazing natural scenes. The best season to visit Jiangbulak is June or July. Various flowers in different colors, massive barley fields, crystal lakes, and multi-peaked mountains abound.
2. Sayram Lake
Sayram Lake, renowned as a pearl on the Silk Road, is the largest and highest alpine lake in Xinjiang. With an altitude of 2,073 meters, it is located about 90 kilometers southwest of Botala Prefecture, Urumqi. The lake has quite a few nicknames. In ancient China, it was called the “clean sea.” In Mongolian language, Sayram means ‘a lake on the ridge’. In Kazakh language, it means ‘blessing’. Because it is the last place that the warm and humid air current of the Atlantic Ocean reaches, it is also known as the “Atlantic Ocean’s last teardrop.”
3. Heavenly Lake Scenic Spot in Tianshan Mountain
Heavenly Lake is located at the base of Bogda Peak, the highest peak of the east side of Tianshan Mountain, 110 km east of Urumqi. Covering a total area of 380.69 square kilometers, the scenic spot includes the lake and surrounding mountains. In the shape of crescent, the lake is 3,400 meters long, 1,500 meters wide at its widest point, and 105 meters deep at its deepest point, covering an area of 4.9 square kilometers. The water, sourced from mountain snow, is crystal clear. It has been given a beautiful name: “Pearl of Tianshan Mountain.” In 1990, the Heavenly Lake Scenic Spot was included in the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve program.
4. Mori Forest of Diversiform-leaved Poplars
A forest of diversiform-leaved poplars, a tenacious ancient species, can be found at the south edge of Junggar Basin, 150 km away from Mori County, covering an area of 35 square kilometers. With a history of 65 million years, the forest is the oldest primeval forest of diversiform-leaved poplars in the world, and is known as a “living fossil”.
5. Kumtag Desert Scenic Spot
The Kumtag Desert Scenic Spot is a landform in east Xinjiang, which became a national park in the year 2002. Covering an area of 1,880 square kilometers, the spot was expanded in 2007 to include much of the surrounding area, including the 1,000-square kilometer Kanas Geological Park . It is expected to be the world’s largest national park.
6. Narati Scenic Spot
This spot located in the hinterlands of Tianshan Mountain, to the east of the Ili River Valley, the Narati Scenic Spot covers a total area of 400 square kilometers, with an altitude of 1,800 meters. “Narati” means “the place where the sun rises” in Mongolian language. Surrounded by Narati Mountain on three sides with a river flowing through, the spot is known for its fresh air, abundant vegetation and amazing landscape.
7. Kucha Palace
The former owner of the Kucha Palace was a local Uygur leader who made great achievements for the Qing Dynasty (1636-1911) during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and Emperor Daoguang. As a reward for his outstanding contributions, he was made a duke and a palace was built for his family in 1828. However, the palace was destroyed by the army of Sheng Shicai, a warlord of the Kuomintang (KMT). Today, only the outer walls and parts of the original rooms remain. In 2004, the local government spent 15 million yuan to rebuild the Kucha Palace on the original site based on the recollections of the 12th generation of the duke’s family. The palace features a mix of Muslim, Russian, and Han Chinese architecture, and covers an area of 40,000 square meters. Tourists may visit the dukes’ rooms, museums, exhibitions and the old outer walls of the palace, to have a picture of the daily life of the duke and his family. A restaurant, a hotel and performances are also available on-site.
8. Tianshan Grand Canyon (Keziliya Grand Canyon)
The mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon, also known as Keziliya Grand Canyon, is a canyon near Keziliya Mountain (a branch of Tianshan Mountain) formed by wind and rain over billions of years. “Keziliya” in Uighur means red cliff. The canyon is as long as 5.5 kilometers from east to west with an average depth of 1,600 meters. The reddish-brown mountains of the grand and rugged canyon are in different shapes, and gullies and trenches can be found everywhere. Some places are too narrow to pass through. The peaks in the canyon are multicolored, and strange-shaped stone formations can be found.
9. Koktokay Scenic Spot
The geopark consists of four major parts: the Irtysh Grand Canyon, Cocoa Sullivan Lake, Ilaymu Lake and Kalaxianger Earthquake Fault Zone. In the Irtysh Grand Canyon, the giant granites in various shapes are distributed along the turbulent Irtysh River. Springs, falls and brooks lie among the white birch forests and grassland. Hiking or riding a horse, visitors could enjoy the natural scenery of the canyon. Covering an area of 178 hectares, Cocoa Sullivan Lake, also named Wild Duck Lake, is 23 kilometers away from the gate of the geopark. Plenty of aquatic plants and more than 20 floating islands in the lake attract thousands of wild ducks, moorhens and swan gooses every year.
