Our columnist and his travel buddies continue their journey through the Silk Road, with a stop at Xinjiang.
THE Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region takes up about a sixth of the total land area of China. Really! Xinjiang alone occupies 1.66mil sq km, which is truly massive. It also has over 5,400km of land bordering eight countries.
Recently, Xinjiang was in talks with Russia and Kazakhstan to open a super canal that will link China to Central Asia and Europe. I believe this is by no means an impossible dream – China can make it!
Located at the crossroads of the Asian continent, Xinjiang was known in the olden days as the “Western Regions” or Xi Yu. It was already part of the famed ancient Silk Road 2,132 years ago, and was a major supply station as well as political and business hub between the ancient Chinese capital of Xi’an and Rome in Italy.
Because of that, Xinjiang has, since ancient times, been influenced by cultures and civilisations of people from all corners of the world, and has blended them so seamlessly into a unique, diverse and colourful culture and social structure to this day.
Right now, with thematic cultural tours fast gaining ground across the globe, Xinjiang has emerged as a destination one must visit at least once in life.
The chill autumn climate is the best time for wedding celebrations in Xinjiang. In the 2,600-year-old village Maza in Turfan’s Tuyoq grottoes, we came across an Uyghur couple dancing in celebration of their wedding during sunset. Dressed in full ethnic costume, the couple started dancing first, before being joined by the best man and bridesmaid. In the middle of joyful cheers from the crowd, their relatives and family members also joined in.
