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