Xinjiang
Xinjiang is officially Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Located in the northwestern border region of China, in the Mongolian Uplands, Xinjiang, lauded variously as a land of song and dance, melons and fruits, precious stones, and carpets, is situated in the heart of the Eurasia Continent. Xinjiang was a key link on the Silk Road and a hub for east-west cultural exchanges in ancient times. The local folklore is rich and varied. The historical name of the region is East Turkestan.
The province is largely populated by 47 Mainland ethnic minority groups, such as the Mongols, Kazaks, Kyrgyzs and Uighurs, with the Uygur Minority Group having the largest population. The region has historically been populated by the Uighurs, a people more closely related to those in Central Asia than to the Han. Today the Han now form the majority of the population in the north while the west remains dominated by minority culture. Mandarin has become the primary language used in most major cities and Uyghur is still an official language in the region. The uyghur people are very honest, kind and open minded to outlanders. Kashgar, Khotan and Aksu are the three prefecture where the uyghurs mostly inhabittd areas.
Already Kashgar is feeling the effects of the railway line completed in 1997. This town at the center of the silkroad is seeing its winding mud brick streets becoming gradually flattened in favour of Chinese-style streets typical of any other city in China. Xinjiang was a major stop on the Ancient Silk Road and because of the trade has one of the most unique cultures in China.
8-day Xinjiang Silk Road Highlights
Dunhuang → Turpan → Urumqi → KashgarThe 8 days Xinjiang Silk Road Tour covers Shazhou Night Market, Mogao Grottoes, Echoing-Sand Mountain, Crescent Moon Spring, Astana Tombs, Flaming Mountain, Bezeklik Grottoes, Local Uygur family visit, Jiaohe Ruined city, Sugong Minaret, Karez Irrigation system, Erdaoqiao Market, International Bazaar, Xinjiang Museum, Heavenly Lake, Karakul Lake, Sunday Bazaar, Id Kah Mosque, Handicraft street...
10-day Great Silk Road Tour
Xian → Dunhuang → Turpan → Urumqi → Kashgar → BeijingThe 10 days Great Silk Road Tour for tourist silk road culture and nature interests to visit Xi'an Ancient City Wall, Hecang Military Depot, Jiayuguan Pass, Mogao Grottoes, Echoing-Sand Mountain, Crescent Moon Lake, Karez Channels, Flaming Mountain, Mount Nan Pasture, Sunday Bazaar, Abakh Khoja Tomb, Karakul Lake...
16-day Xinjiang Gansu Yunnan Sichuan Tibet Tour
Urumqi → Turpan → Dunhuang → Jiayuguan → Lanzhou → Xian → Kunming → Dali → Lijiang → Lhasa → Emeishan → Leshan → Chengdu16-day Xinjiang Gansu Yunnan Sichuan Tibet Tour tour to visit Urumqi, Turpan, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Lanzhou, Xi'an Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Lhasa, Leshan, Chengdu in Northwest and Southwest China and more....
17-day Golden China & Silk Road Xinjiang Tour
Shanghai → Guilin → Xian → Lanzhou → Xiahe → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang → Turpan → Urumqi → BeijingThis golden China triangle Beijing Xian Shanghai Tour links the Silk Road travel attractions in Gansu Lanzhou Dunhuang, Xinjiang Turpan, Urumqi, Kashgar and more for adventure experience.
9-day Silk Road China Lanzhou to Kashgar Tour
Lanzhou → Xiahe → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang → Turpan → Urumqi → KashgarThis 9 days Silk Road China tour travel thrugh Lanzhou, Xiahe, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Kashgar to view Gansu Provincial Museum, Labrang Monastery, the Jiayuguan Pass, Mogao Grottoes, Echoing-Sand Mountain, Crescent Lake, Jiaohe Ruins, Astana Tombs, Sunday Bazaar... .
12-day Silk Road China Adventure Tour
Beijing → Urumqi → Turpan → Dunhuang → Xian → Suzhou → Shanghai12 days Silk Road China Adventure Tour thru Beijing, Urumqi, Turpan, Dunhuang, Xian, Suzhou Shanghai to see Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Mogao Caves & Murul Paintings, Turpan Depression, Urumqi Uyghur regions.
12-day Ancient Silk Road Route Trip
Chengdu → Leshan → Xian → Urumqi → Kashgar → Turpan → BeijingThe 12-day Silk Road China travel thru Chengdu, Xian, Urumqi, Kashgar, Turpan, Dunhuang, Beijing to visit Leshan Giant Buddha, Terra Cotta Warriors, Heavenly Lake, Sunday bazaar, Id Kah Mosque, Emin Minaret, Dunhuang Crescent Moon Lake and more...
Karez Underground Water System
The Karez underground irrigation channel in Turpan is one of China's three greatest feats of ancient engineering, along with the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. Construction began on this ancient irrigation system during the Han Dynasty and as the Silk Road developed, methods of construction found their way to Central Asia and Persia.
Urumqi Museum
Situated in Xibei Lu, in Urumqi City, the Xinjiang Regional Museum is a large integrated museum and centre for the collection and study of cultural relics discovered in the region.
Kashgar Bazaar
Located in the city east, Kashgar Grand Bazaar, Sunday Bazaar, Mal Bazaar or the livestock market on Sundays, daily Yengi Bazaar etc. show the glory of the largest international trade market or fair on ancient China Silk Road.
Ancient Gaochang City Ruins
30 kilometers southeast of Turpan Xinjiang, the ancient Gaochang Ruins are all that is left of an ancient oasis city that was a major stopping point on the Ancient Silk Road.
Id Kah Mosque
'Id Kah' means 'a place of praying and celebrating in festivals'. The Id Kah Mosque is located on the central square in Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region. As the biggest mosque in China, it is a group of old Islamic constructions with strong ethnic style and religious features.
Pamir Mountains
The Great Silk Road crossed a number of Pamir Mountain ranges. Historically, the Pamir Mountains were considered a strategic trade route between Kashgar and Kokand on the Northern Silk Road.
Turpan Museum
Turpan Museum is a museum in Turpan, Xinjiang, China. It has items from the Tang dynasty excavated from the Astana Graves which are located outside the town. Items include ancient silks, clothes and preserved corpses.
Altay Kanas Lake
The Kanas Lake is a magical and appealing place for all ages. Maybe the Kanas is an enchanting Mongolian name which means "a beautiful, abundant and mysterious lake in a gorge". The travelers called it as 'Switzerland in East or Camerists' Heaven'. .
Grape Valley
Xinjiang grape valley, lying on the western slopes of the Flaming Mountains in Turpan Depression, one can see nothing but glowing barren red sand. Only the Grape Valley, presenting a world of unique beauty, is a striking contrast with the hot, dry and barren outside.
Mor Buddhist Pagoda
Mor or Mo'er Pagoda is a buddhist pagoda ruins of ancient Shule Kingdom in the western China. The Pagoda was built in 7th century during the Tang dynasty and destroyed 12th century.
Red Hill Park
Red Hill Park (Hongshan Park) stands out from forest Red Mountain and is an icon of Urumqi city. Red Mountain get its name from purple grit rock.
Urumqi Grand Bazaar
Located on the Ancient Silk Road, the city of Urumqi has had a huge bazaar for thousands of years. The bazaar is very unique and combines cultures and has stalls selling an incredible selection of items from the local Uyghur Ethnic Minority Group, Russia, and China.
Dabancheng Town
Urumqi Dabancheng Town District well known for a folk song called Dabancheng Girls and large-scale Wind Power Station views.
Jiaohe Ancient City
Located 10 kilometers west of Turpan in China’s Xinjiang Province, the Jiaohe Ruins is an archaeological site which was an important stop on the Ancient Silk Road. It is the largest, oldest, and best preserved earthen city on earth.
Kashgar Old Town
Located opposite the Id Kah Mosque is Kashgar Old Town District. It is the best place to see how the local Uyghur ethnic group has lived for centuries. The old town district has a history of over 2,000 years.
The Flaming Mountains
Located in China Xinjiang, the Flaming Mountain is a barren, eroded, red sandstone mountain. The erosion of the sandstone rock has given the mountain an appearance of being on fire.
Gaotai Ancient Homes
In the old city district of Kashgar, Gaotai Ancient Homes is the most typical Uyghur dwelling house with a unique sight of heavy ethnic culture.
Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
The Bezeklik/Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves is famous for ancient muralsWith with exsiting 60 caves, and over 40 caves have ancient murals of 1200 square meters.
Emin Minaret
The tallest minaret in China, the Emin Minaret is located 2 kilometers east of Turpan. Built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the minaret is 44 meters tall and took 19 years to complete.
Xinjiang Uygur Regional Museum
Locted in Urumqi Xibei Road, the Xinjiang Regional Museum is a large integrated museum and centre for the collection and study of cultural relics in Xinjiang. The museum architecture built in 1953 with featured Uighur ethnic internal decor style and has an exhibition hall covering an area of about 7,800 square meters (approx. 9,328 square yards).
Tianchi Heavenly Lake
Located 110 kilometers east of Urumqi, Tianchi Lake occupies an area of almost 5 square kilometers. The name of the lake translates as "Heavenly lake". The Snow-fed lake is crescent-shaped and got its name from Tianshan Mountain, which feeds the lake.
Nanshan Mountain Grasslands
Urumqi Nanshan Grasslands or Southern Pasture (Baiyang gou included) are a natural paradise, with scenery and surroundings such as natural spruce forest on snow mountain, wild animals such as snow leopard, wild goat, red deer and palm bear are running on the grasslands, beautiful birds are flying in the sky, which are similar to that at Heaven Lake.
The Karakol Lake
The Karakul Lake is a paradise of bonfire night parties for boy and girl khalkhas with tourists. The party is full of songs and dances, as well as good smell of roast lamb skewers.
Glacier No.1 of Tianshan Mountains
As the Headwaters of Urumqi River, the melting Tianshan Mountains No.1 Glacier sits in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is the closest glacier to an urban community in the world.
Abakh Khoja Mausoleum
The Abakh Khoja Mausoleum, 5 km northeast of Kashgar, is a masterpiece of Uyghur architecture and the holiest Muslim site built in the early 17th century as the tomb of Muhammad Yusuf in Xinjiang China Silk Road.
Loulan Kingdom Ruins
In 1980, a 3,800-year-old female mummy (Loulan Beauty) was firstly discovered in Loulan known as the Tarim mummies. This opens an insight into the Loulan culture to the world. Loulan was an ancient kingdom based around an important oasis city along the Silk Road.
Turpan Desert Ecological Plant Park
The park is located southeast of Turpan Basin, the western sandy Cat Kale Township. Geographical coordinates: 40 ° 51'N, 89 ° 11'E, altitude -105 ~-76m.
Sugong Pagoda
The Sugong Pagoda, known as Emin Minaret or the Turpan Pagoda among local residents is a Islamic building. A stone tablet at its entrance cites the reason for the pagoda's construction in Wei and Han characters.
Grand Turpan Hotel
The Grand Turpan Hotel is a luxurious 3-star hotel that has become the Turpan Grand Hotel limited Company. The company shapes the hotel from all directions on the basis of the spirit, such as innovation, major, effective, excellent. It contains strong Silk Road culture as its characteristic, marketing all directions as its key project. At the same time, it also adjusts the scale, the project, standard, and running mode of the hotel to be a multi-levels and multi-functions three star modern hotel.
Seman Hotel Kashkar
A huge, rambling old complex in delightful, secluded gardens, the Seman Hotel is the most popular place in Kashi with Western tourists. The hotel is housed in the renovated former Russian consulate which was first built in 1890.
City Hotel Urumqi
Opened in 1996, City Hotel Urumqi provides privacy, safety and personalized service to attract travelers. It will help you customize the services to suit both lifestyle and budget.
Barony Tarim Petroleum Hotel Kashkar
The Barony Hotel Kashgar is located in Kashgar city which has great humanity history and is famous for its deep cultural reputation. It brings convenient traffic, comfortable atmosphere, beautiful sceneries and ancient national amorous feelings.
Hoi Tak Hotel Urumqi
Hoi Tak Hotel is delicate decorated with ocean murals and fish tanks in order to improve the ambience of relaxing and contented feeling for hotel guest. Reaching up to 33-stories, this hotel provides guests with breathtaking views of Urumqi and the famous Mt. Tianshan. The atmosphere of the restaurants in the hotel no doubt strikes travelers and local customers as extremely remarkable.
Xinrong Hotel Urumqi
Xinrong Hotel is well-appointed with unique structure, modern and completely facilities. It is an ideal place for you to have an ease and comfortable stay here when travel in Xinjiang.
Tuha Petroleum Hotel Turpan
Tu Ha Petroleum Hotel Urumqi is a 4-star hotel opened in 1997, innovated in 2006, is a comprehensive international hotel located in the bustling city center of Turpan. The hotel has 13 storeys, 203 tastefully understated rooms. The hotel is an easy walking distance to Urumqi Railway Station, Urumqi International Convention and Exhibition Center. This Turpan hotel has various rooms and suites equipped with internet access, safes, air-conditioners and mini bars. Tu Ha Petroleum Hotel Urumqi accepts payment by cash and card. International card settlement makes convenience for guests all over the globe. For recreation and relaxation, fitness center, bowling alley, swimming pool, table tennis room, night club, chess and card room, sauna and massage are available. Other facilities in the hotel include business center, meeting room, wireless internet area, parking lot and store, etc. For dining, the restaurants serve all kinds of Chinese cuisines and western foods as well as local dishes. Chinese and western restaurants are available in the hotel providing guests with Sichuan, Cantonese cuisines. Tu Ha Petroleum Hotel Urumqi staff is superbly trained to ensure all guests’ requests receive the utmost care and attention.
Sheraton Urumqi Hotel
The newest addition along the Silk Road, Sheraton Urumqi Hotel is the premier hotel in the Xinjiang capital region. It is an ideal home base for both business and leisure travelers.
Hotel Eden Kashkar
This locally-owned hotel is one of the most modern and impressive hotels in Kashgar and offers guests a comfortable stay in a central location. Set in unspoilt grounds the hotel is a short walk from the famous Old City.
Xinjiang Grand Hotel
Here is where your Silk Road adventure starts. Urumqi, the capital of China's Northwest Xinjiang autonomous region, is a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. Enjoy the city's unique architecture and the colorful tradition of its 13 minority groups. XinJiang Grand Hotel in Urumqi was opened in May 1992, it is offering accommodation and service of an international standard. Whether you are in Urumqi for business or pleasure, XinJiang Grand Hotel is a relaxing oasis, waiting to cater to your every need.
World Plaza Hotel Urumqi
With the advanced management and personalized professional service that the Hotel provides, your stay at Hotel World Plaza will undoubtedly be a pleasant experience.The magnificent lobby is richly decorated with Xinjiang flavor. The Chinese work of art honors the minority nationalities, picturing their act of singing and dancing that depicts the hospitality, generosity and high spirit of the region.
Yindu Hotel Urumqi
Yin Du Hotel Urumqi is a 5 star international standard hotel in Urumqi. It is owned by the China Telecom Communication and China Mobile. The hotel development and construction began in 1992. Yin Du Hotel committed to ensure quality services and total guest satisfaction.
Bingtuan Grand Hotel
Bingtuan Grand Hotel is a luxury business hotel Opened in 1997 and renovated in 2011, located at the city center of Urumqi, adjacent to the People's Park and International Convention and Exhibition Center. Guests may enjoy leisure time at the gym, take a sauna, or play chess or cards with friends and more, appreciate the spectacular mountain views.
Oasis Hotel Turpan
The Turpan Oasis Hotel is based on a traditional Islamic design, incorporating modern amenities to provide the comfort of home. The hotel is located on Youth Road, known as Turpan City's "Grape Street" and is surrounded by lush greenery. The restaurant is decorated in traditional style, where guests can taste the finest in Cantonese and wild northwest delicacies. The cafe offers delicious food, in Islamic -themed surroundings. Meeting rooms accommodating up to 250 delegates are also available onsite.
Shopping in Urumqi
Urumqi shopping guide tell travelers where to shop, what to buy, shopping tips at Urumqi Erdaoqiao markets, grand internation bazaar, department stores, shopping mall, supermarkets...
Transportation in Urumqi
China Urumqi city travel transportation guide to Urumqi air flights, railway trains, road bus, metro subway, taxi, bicycle transport in to/from or get around Urumqi
Food in Turpan
Turpan dining & eating guide for tourists to the best local food, restaurants, cuisine cooking recipes, drink, menu dishes such as laghman (noodles), baked dumplings and barbecue skewers in Turpan ...
Things to Do in Turpan
Turpan travel & tour activities & top things to do such Taichi learning, chinese cooking learning, biking, hiking, rock climbing, visiting a fishing house boat and so on.
China Silk Road Food & Dining
China Silk Road food & cuisines, restaurant menu, famous dishes, drink and dining guide in Xinjiang, Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi Xian tell travelers what is the best to eat and where to eat on the silk road chin trip.
Best Time to Travel Silk Road
Climate & city weather in Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang on average, maximun and minimum temperatures and the rainfall yearly, and current conditions to tell the best time to travel China Silk Road Adventure.
Transportation in Kashgar
China Kashgar city travel transportation guide to Kashgar air flights, railway trains, road bus, metro subway, taxi, bicycle transport in to/from or get around Kashgar
Food in Urumqi
Urumqi dining & eating guide for tourists to the best local food, restaurants, cuisine cooking recipes, drink, menu dishes such as Fresh naan, spicy kababs, steaming pilaf or famous hand stretched noodles...a lot of choices and lots of variety.
Shopping on the Silk Road
The Silk Road China is commercial trade route to exchange goods such us clay & metal ethnic handicrafts, dry fruits, jade, Chinese art works in Shaanxi, Gansu and Xinjiang where shopping visitors should be done.
Things to Do in Kashgar
Kashgar travel & tour activities & top things to do such Taichi learning, chinese cooking learning, biking, hiking, rock climbing, visiting a fishing house boat and so on.
Climate & Weather in Urumqi
Urumqi city travel climate & weather guide: average precipitation & monsoon, max & min temperature, current forecasts the best time to Urumqi...
Things to Do in Urumqi
Urumqi travel & tour activities & top things to do: wonderful musical songs & dance with Uighurs, Kazakhs, Mongolians, Tajiks and Kirgizs and ethnic activities such as horse racing, Diaoyang and girl chasing....
Shopping in Turpan
Turpan shopping guide tell travelers where to shop, what to buy, shopping tips at Turpan markets, department stores, shopping mall, supermarkets...
Food in Kashgar
Kashgar dining & eating guide for tourists to the best local food, restaurants, cuisine cooking recipes, drink, menu dishes such as Roast Duck, imperial Dishes, snacks, Western, vegetarian food in Kashgar ...
Transportation on The Silk Road
Air, railway, bus transport in Xian, Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Urumqi, Turpan, Kashgar and more cities along the Silk Road China. Transportation details of routes, airports, flights, trains schedule and booking offices are offered for each city.
Transportation in Turpan
China Turpan city travel transportation guide to Turpan air flights, railway trains, road bus, metro subway, taxi, bicycle transport in to/from or get around Turpan.
Climate & Weather in Kashgar
Kashgar city travel climate & weather guide: average precipitation & monsoon, max & min temperature, current forecasts the best time to Kashgar...
China Silk Road Travel Tips
Silk Road China travel tips and trip advice on facts, people, history, culture in in Shaanxi Xian, Gansu Dunhuang, Ningxia, Xinjiang Kashgar, Turpan, Urumqi and more.
Climate & Weather in Turpan
Turpan city travel climate & weather guide: average precipitation & monsoon, max & min temperature, current forecasts the best time to Turpan...
Things to do on The Silk Road
Top fun things such as traditional festivals & celebrations, tourist events & activities, entertainment & nightlife to do in Xian, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang on China Silk Road.
Shopping in Kashgar
Kashgar shopping guide tell travelers where to shop, what to buy, shopping tips at Kashgar markets,bazaars department stores, shopping mall, supermarkets...
Ethnic Groups & Religions on the Silk Road
On the Silk Road China, 15 local ethnic groups have inhabited for a long history, together with other 30 ethnic minorities and they believe in Islam, Lamaism (Tibetan Buddhism), Buddhism, Christianity, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, Shamanism and more religions.
The Silk Road History
The Silk Road, cross Asia from China to Europe, is not really a single road, rather a sea & land network of related ancient trade routes through Xian, Dunhuang, Lanzhou, Turpan, Kashgar and Central Asian countries.
Facts about Silk
Sericulture covers a circle of the cultivated and raised stages of silk produce under controlled conditions: moth egg - silkworm - pupae & cocoon - moth; until the cocoons reach the filature.
Marco Polo Trail on Silk Road China
The provinces mentioned on Marco Polo travels & Trip in China are modern Shanxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Yunnan. Marco visited many cities along the way; here Taiyuan, Xian, Chengdu, Tibet and more are on his city comments.
The Silk Road Trade Routes through Cities & Co
The Silk Road is an extensive sea & land network of related ancient trade routes from Xi'an to Rome through Syria, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, China and more countries.
History of Chinese Silk
After China maintained its virtual silk monopoly over thousand years, silk spread gradually through Chinese culture and trade to the Japanese, the Indians, the Middle East and more regions of Asia, later Mediterranean and Europe.