Xinjiang Pictures

Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the most 'inland' city in the world. With a population of two million gaily-dressed ethnic inhabitants, the city is likened to an emerald embedded at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains.

Turpan means 'the lowest place' in the Uygur language and 'the fertile land' in Turki. Occupying an area of 15,738 square kilometers (6,076.5 square miles), Turpan City Prefecture is located to the southeast of Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Kashgar is an ancient city where generations of Uygur people reside, thus it has accumulated profound Uygurian features. Generally, it is a city influenced by both culture from west Asia and Central Asia.

As one of the Four Prefectures of Kuqa in Han Dynasty, Hetian was an important town on the Silk Road noted for jade articles, fruits from the West Region and silk from Central China were traded here.

Ili was a communications center on the Silk Road in ancient times and today it is a gateway to the western provinces of China.

Korla lies in the center of Uygur Autonomous Region, on the northeast edge of Tarim Basin. It adjoins the world's second largest desert Taklamakan Desert on the south. In Uigur, 'korla' means 'overlook'.

Tashkurgan means stone city in the Tajik language. Situated on the Pamir Plateau, Tashkurgan County was an important passage through which silk was transported from middle Asia to west Asia.

The Altay Region is located at the extreme north of Xinjiang. Altay Mountains are in its northeast, Gurbantunggut Desert is in its southwest and alluvial plain of Erqis River and Ulungur River are in its central part. The famous Kanas Nature Reserve is also within this region.

Aksu was an important town on the Silk Road in ancient times. Many cultural relics were left in Aksu, such as Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves, Subashi Ruins, Beacon Tower of Han Dynasty and Kuqa Mosque.

Local Singing and Dancing has a long history. As early as the 2nd Century of the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), the music and dance of Hetian had been introduced into the central plains. Along with the ancient Silk Road, it becomes famous at home and abroad.

Xinjiang is one of China's five autonomous regions for ethnic minorities. As many as 47 ethnic groups concentrated in this region. Visitors abroad and home are attracted by the colorful ethnic flavors here.