Xinjiang Overview

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, locatedin the northwest of China, is praised highly as the "Home of Singing and Dancing" for its unique folk culture and custom. It is a large, sparsely populated province which takes up about one sixth of the country's territory. Xinjiang is adjacent to Gansu, Qinghai Province on the east and Tibet on the south and borders Russia, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Mongolia, India, and Afghanistan.

Its capital is Urumqi, and the other main cities are Turpan Prefecture, Kashgar Prefecture, Hotan (Hetian) Prefecture and Aksu Prefecture. In ancient times, it was one of the most important stop on Silk Road. The highlights of Xinjiang include: the Heavenly Lake, the Hanas Lake, Bosteng Lake, Sailimu Lake and Bayinbluke Prairie, the Jiaohe ruins, Gaochang ruins, Loulan Site and Kizil Thousand Buddha Grottoes, and so on.