Xinjiang

People and Culture

There is no middle way to describe Xinjiang... it is a place of contrasts, extremes and superlatives. It is the largest province in China and the place is huge. For example it takes 3 days to drive from Urumqi to Kashgar. The landscape is beautiful and almost ethereal in some areas and varied. You can be in a metropolis in one day, the alpine country the next and the 2nd largest desert in the world in another. The temperature variation reflects the varied landscapes, from blazing sunny hot to alpine snowy conditions.

Industry

Tourism

The peak tourism period for northern Xinjiang is from June to October. Most (>95%) of the tourists are local Han Chinese). Many love to drive. We have meet tourists from Guangdong and Hunan who have driven more than 5000 km to get here. For many, they just drop by and stay a few days if they like the place and then move on without prior hotel bookings etc. We envy these freedom travellers who can arrive at the destination at the right moment i.e. during the peak fall colour period. As overseas visitors, we do not have this freedom; we have to pre-book and stay in designated tourist hotels (and pay more for them). Foreigners have to register with the local police where ever they stay. In most cases, the hotels will do this on their guests behalf. Travelling in Xinjiang is expensive. Accommodation during the peak season is very expensive; some below average 2-3* establishment will charge the equivalent of 5* prices in the city. Because of the large size, tourists have to travel long distances between sites. Entrance fees to the various tourist sites are also very high.

The Guoziyuan Bridge.

Extensive construction of roads and rail is seen in many parts of Xinjiang, probably related to the 'Belt and Road' initiative. High speed rail to Urumqi is currently under construction.

Sunrise at Hemu Village.

There is no such thing as the claiming the best spot to put down you tripod. Someone else will come along later and plant theirs right in front of yours.

Domestic scene of a family enjoying a day in the sun. Their yurt close by sells local fabrics and souvenirs to tourists. Nalati Grassland.

Agriculture and Industry

Cattle grazing and a stray tourist

Some of the animal farmers are still nomadic, taking the animals to better pasture in winter. Tianshan Grand Canyon

Open cut mine. Tianshan Grand Canyon

Wind farm near Five Color Beach

There are batteries of these coal powered power plants scattered everywhere. Some are near cities but others are just in the desert. I imagine the power generated is sent eastward. It is convenient to pollute the desert as there will be no residents around to complain about the bad air quality.

Did you know that the richest city in China (in term of per capita GDP) is Karamay in Xinjiang? The economy is based on black gold which oozes out from the ground.