| Xinjiang's predominant nationality is the
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| | different topography and climate
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| Uygur, a vibrant and outgoing culture of
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| | throughout the vast region, ranging from
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| Central Asian descent whom this writer
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| | the cool alpine mountains of the northern
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| likes to refer to as The Desert People.
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| | Altay region to the arid southern sands
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| Xinjiang Autonomous Region by Tom Carter
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| | of the Taklamakan, the second largest
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| "He's from Pakistan."
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| | desert in the world. And while Urumqi,
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| "No, no! He's Japanese." A lively group
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| | Xinjiang's capital, is a gleaming
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| of Uyghurs orbiting around me at the
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| | northern metropolis of skyscraprs and
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| Hotan marketplace in southern Xinjiang
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| | department stores, the remote cities
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| were vociferously debating the
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| | bordering the south-western Tarim Basin,
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| nationality of the 196cm foreigner
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| | including the famed Silk Road oasis of
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| standing before them.
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| | Kashgar, are known for their more
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| I am in fact a first-generation American
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| | traditional way of Muslim life.
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| of a hybrid
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| | AttractionsSituated directly on the
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| Scandinavian-Mediterranean-Hispanic
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| | borders of Mongolia, Russia and
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| lineage, my dark brown features and
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| | Kazakhstan, the spectacularly
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| unkempt travel whiskers often causing
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| | sapphire-blue Hanasi Hu Lake in the
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| confusion amongst Asians who can't quite
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| | mountainous region of northern Xinjiang
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| place my nationality. Ironically, Han
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| | is a popular tour group destination. To
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| Chinese often mistook me for a Weiwuerzu
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| | the south, the massive Sunday markets in
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| someone from Xinjiang.
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| | Kashgar and Hotan are not to be missed,
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| If there is one province unlike any other
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| | though the latter is arguably more
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| in the People's Republic, it would have
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| | authentic.
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| to be Xinjiang. Categorically different
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| | Transportation
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| from the rest of the country in every
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| | 1. From Beijing to Urumqi, 10 flights
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| conceivable way, the Muslim-dominated
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| | daily between 8am and 9pm (four hours,
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| Xinjian in the distant northwest is at
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| | 2,410 yuan)
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| once China's most intriguing and
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| | 2. To Hanasi Hu, a group tour arranged by
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| intimidating travel destination.
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| | any Urumqi travel agency is often
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| Xinjiang Autonomous Region is China's
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| | suggested for its feasibility, however a
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| largest, sharing international borders
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| | majority of time is spent in transit
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| with Pakistan, Afghanistan andcentral
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| | (four days, 500 yuan, including
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| Asian countries. This geographical
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| | accommodations and entrance tickets)
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| proximity resultingly accounts for over
| |
| | 3. To Kashgar, overnight trains leaving
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| half of China's 12 million Muslims,
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| | daily from Urumqi at 1pm and 5pm are the
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| perhaps Xinjiang's most obvious
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| | most convenient and comfortable way to
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| characteristicMuslim followers of Islam,
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| | travel (30 hours, 170 yuan).
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| the second largest religion in the world,
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| | 4. From Kashgar to Hetian, busses depart
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| are a devout people who believe in the
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| | from Renmin Donglu almost hourly between
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| oneness of God, called Allah in Arabic,
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| | 7am and 6pm (eight hours, 50 yuan).
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| as opposed to the Christian doctrine of a
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| | AccommodationXinjiang disappointingly
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| holy trinity. Muslim adherents can be
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| | offers very little as far as budget
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| seen throughout Xinjiang carrying
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| | accommodations or youth hostels, and due
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| venerated copies of the Qur'an (Islamic
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| | to immigration from neighboring nations,
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| holy scripture) and faithfully dashing
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| | smaller boardinghouses are strict to only
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| off to he mosque five times a day for a
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| | allow Chinese nationals. In Kashgar, the
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| congregational series of Mecca-facing
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| | Uyghur-run Noor Bish Hotel near the
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| prostrations and prayer.
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| | famous Id Kah Mosque is a backpacker's
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| Xinjiang's predominant nationality is the
| |
| | favorite (30 yuanfor a dorm bed).
|
| Uygur, a vibrant and outgoing culture of
| |
| | Regional cuisineIf China is famous for
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| Central Asian descent whom this writer
| |
| | its cuisine, then Xinjiang is responsible
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| affectionately likes to refer to as The
| |
| | for half its success. Heavily seasoned
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| Desert People. The Turkic-speaking
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| | lamb kebab (yangrou chuan), spicy lamian
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| Uyghurs traditionally attire themselves
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| | noodles topped with peppers, tomatoes and
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| in simple, loose-fitting robes to
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| | garlic, deep-fried fresh fish (how did
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| accommodate the harsh climate, with the
| |
| | they get fish in the desert?), goat's
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| men wearing either plain white or
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| | head soup, golden pilaf rice and fragrant
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| brilliantly embroidered dopi skull caps
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| | peaches and watermelon, all washed down
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| and the women veiling themselves in a
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| | with refreshing cinnamon tea. There may
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| hijab headscarf. A shaved head and long
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| | not be as much bread (nang) in the whole
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| beard further distinguishes the Uyghur
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| | of China as in Kashgar, with lightly
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| men while the ladies take pride and
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| | seasoned loaves and sesame seed bagels
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| pleasure in dyeing their hands red with
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| | being pulled hot out the oven by the
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| henna.
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| | minute.
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| Geographically, Xinjiang offers starkly
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|
