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 Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is located in the north-west of China. It spans over 1.6 million sq. km and takes up 1/6 China’s space. Urumqi city is an administrative center of the Xinjiang region.
Xinjiang is a part of China since the middle of XVIII century during the Manchukuo Qing dynasty. Xinjiang got a status of the Autonomous Region after Chinese Republic of China established in 1955.
The landscape is quite rocky and represents Altai Mountains in the north; Kunlun Mountains, Karakorum and Arqing in the south; Pamir ranges in the west. Tian - Shan Mountains have extended from the west to the east and divide Xinjiang in to parts- Northern (Dzungarian Basin) and Southern (Tarim Basin).
Modern cities of the Xinjiang were important points of the Great Silk Road in the past. The Silk Road divided in to three branches on the territory of the Xinjiang: Northern, Central and Sothern. The Northern branch lied on the route in the line of the northern part of Tian Shan: Aturyuk (Hami) – Fuyuan (Jimsar) – Inin and farther to the Kaspian sea. The Central branch lied along the southern slope of Tian- Shan: Gvaochan (Turpan) – Yanqi – Quqi (Kucha) – Shule (Kashi) and through the Pamir. The Southern branch of the Silk Road ran from Dunhuan along the northern slope of Kunlun ranges on the route: Charlyk-Hotan-Yarkend and farther through the pass to the Pamir plateau.
Urumqi
There was a pasture on the territory of the present Urumqi over 2000 years ago. Thus, the name of the city is translated from Mongolian as “beautiful pasture”. The city’s rebuilding was started in 1949 and Urumqi got an image of a modern cultural and historical center of Xinjiang. The symbol of the city is a Red Mountain. It has got such name because of red stones on the mountains top. There is a “Fresh pavilion” on the summit, where the picturesque city’s panorama opens.
 Turpan
The city is located in the Turpan Depression at 154 meters lower the sea level. There is a splendid architectural construction of Emin minaret which rises in 2 kilometers from the city. It was built at the direction of the local governor Emin Khodja in 1778. Minaret wit 10 meters in the ground’s diameter and 40 meters high is crowned with dome. Beautiful mosaic ornament is composed from polished bricks. This historical monument is a shining example of the Uigur religion architecture and under the State’s protection.
There are ruins of the famous Gaochang city, located in 46 km. from Turpan. This city had been existing over 1400 years, from I century B.C. to XIII century. City was a residence of local ruler during Tang dynasty in VII century. Consequently, city was destroyed by wars in XIII century.
Architectural excavations discovered that city consisted of three parts: Outer City, Inner City and Palace area. Nowadays, only foundations of defensive walls, houses and Buddhist monastery have survived. In 1961, Chinese government proclaimed the Gaochang settlement a landscape under the State’s protection.
The prosperity of Gaochang in VI century was notable for famous Baiziklik cave temples in Mutosk gorge, Turpan region. It is one of the biggest Buddhist monuments on the territory of China. Baiziklik in Uygur means “beautifully decorated place”. There is a range of niches with figurines of Buddhist saints inside which are graved in cliffs. Only 83 caves have survived till today. Fresco painting can be seen in 40 caves, which total area is 1200 sq.km. These temples were popular among Buddhist pilgrims during Tang dynasty.
One should visit the Grape Valley in Turpan. Valley is located in 13 kilometers to the north-east from Turpan. The Valley which length is 8 km is crossed by Mountain River falling from Tian-Shan. This grateful river irrigates the Valley’s flora. Grapevine trellis, mixed with groves of mulberry, maple, almond nut, walnut, peach and willow. This region is famous for a variety of grape sorts, and Turpan raisin is known for its nice taste all around the world.
Kashgar
Kashgar is located in the western part of the Xinjiang. Kashgar was important trading point on the northern branch of the Great Silk Road about 2000 years ago. This city keeps its eastern color till present days. People say: “If you don’t visit Kashgar you will never know what the Xinjiang is.” 92 % percent of the population of Kashgar is Uigurs- Muslims; in this case there are a lot of mosques. The biggest mosque of Kashgar is Id Kah. It was built in 1789 and has been rebuilt several times during the next years. Round 2000-3000 faithful visit the mosque every day and their number increases till 6000 on Fridays.
Kashgar is famous for its talented craftsmen which pass their art from generation to generation. Kashgar’s bazaars are crowded with colorful goods: silk, knives and several attires.
 Hotan
Xinjiang is rich with mineral deposits: oil, natural gas, gold, coal, salt, precious and semi-precious stones. Hotan city was always famous for splendid jasper goods. In ancient time, the most part of the jasper produced in Xinjiang was paid as a tribute to emperors. Thus, the jasper sculpture ‘The great energy of water’ weighing 5000 ton was presented to the Qing emperor Qianlong (Hongli). Presently, this sculpture is in “Gugun” Place in Beijing. Jasper products are famous not only in China but all around the world. |
