China Travel Wire

新疆维吾尔族自治区

Xinjiang (Uyghur: شىنجاڭ, Shinjang; Chinese: 新疆; pinyin: Xīnjiāng; Wade-Giles: Hsin1-chiang1; Postal map spelling: Sinkiang)

Size: 1.6 million square km (largest in China)

Population: 19.6 million (2004)

Capital: Urumqi

Areas Bordering: Tibet Autonomous Region, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces, Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Important Physical Geography: Tian Shan, Kunlan, Pamir, and Altai Mountains, Taklamakan Desert, Tarim Basin, Turpan Depression Point, Lake Karakul, and Pamir Plateau

Major Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang: Uighur, Kazakh, Tajik, Kyrgyz, Mongolian, Han

Historical significance of Xinjiang

Xinjiang exists at the cross-roads of China and Central Asia, harboring a diverse web of Han Chinese and Turkic, Buddhist, and later Islamic cultures, traditions, and peoples. The largest province in China, it covers an area larger than France. The region was for much of its history a collection of small kingdoms and settlements -with varying allegiances to Han Chinese suzerainty. The Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) during its peak military expansion extended its control through a series of military installations and vassal alliances into the southern half of the region (the area between the Tian Shan and Kunlun Mountains, forming the present physical boundary with Tibet). Han Chinese control, however, waned and ebbed with the consolidation of power within China proper (traditionally defined as those regions south of the Mongolia Steppe and as far as the Sichuan basin) and the its strength relative to its chief competitor – the Xiongnu. The tumultuous political cycles of the 3rd through 6th centuries, the region known to collectively today as “Xinjiang” became an autonomous web of independent governments. In the 7th century, Han Chinese rule was reintroduced and effectively strengthened following the re-establishment of a unified empire under the short-lived Sui and then Tang dynasties. Tang armies established military colonies in the region, though Uigurs and other Turkic-speaking ethic groups strongly influenced the cosmopolitan culture of the early Tang – the Tang’s own Pax Romana during this period was largely created by the abundant caravan trade running along the famous and often romanticized “silk road.” After the decline of the Tang (beginning with the rise and revolt of a Sogdian-Turkic general, An Lushan, in 755 CE), the region fell back into a period of atomized rule and varying allegiances.

The Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911) was the first regime to conquer the region and build lasting political and administrative institutions. These campaigns were initially prompted by the emergence of the Zunghars (a Mongolian sub-ethnic group) under the leadership of Galdan (1644-1697). Zungharian border raids into Qing-controlled regions and increasing influence over the Tibetan Llamism incurred a century-long series of Qing expansions, beginning with the military campaigns of the Kangxi emperor (ruled 1654 – 1722) and concluding with the victories of the Qianlong emperor (ruled 1736 – 1796). During the apogee of Qing expansion and conquest, Chinese and Manchu armies reached as far at the Volga River. However, strains in Manchu-Uighyur alliances broke out in the 19th century, culminating in the Yili Rebellion, which was brutally suppressed by General Zou. Following the collapse of the Qing in 1911, several short-lived nationalist movements took hold, including the East Turketstan movement.

Tourist Attractions in Xinjiang

Any trip to Xinjiang will inevitably begin in either Turpan or Urumqi (乌鲁木齐), depending on if you travel by air or land – both regions are in the Central Eastern part of the province, in close proximity (roughly 2.5 hours by bus), and must-visits. Turpan (吐鲁番) is a located in the second lowest depression point in the world (second only to the Dead Sea). Urumqi is a necessary embarking point for travelers. Aside from its logistical importance (trains heading both east and west(, the southern half of the city is home to an eclectic bazaar, and the provincial museum has one an impressive collection of Tarim Basin mummies. Other important must-visit places include Kashgar, Shache (also called Yarkand), Lake Karakul, Tashkurgan, Hetian (also called Hotan), and Yili.

Best Times to Visit

The summer through early Fall. Avoid the end of August – though the weather is great, getting train tickets may be a headache (and even impossible) with the flurry of college students packing trains to return to school. Also keep in mind that practically every Chinese person (of which there are 1.3 billion) dreams of going to Xinjiang, so plan some key stops in advance (like a place to stay in Urumqi) – summer travel can get busy. If you can hold off a bit, try to set aside a few weeks in the early Fall – this is past the peak travel season, but still an ideal time of year.

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