Xinjiang is highly worthwhile for tourism. Below are detailed reasons given from three aspects: natural scenery, cultural landscapes, and food culture.
Natural Scenery
Magnificent Mountains: Xinjiang boasts magnificent mountains such as the Tianshan, Kunlun, and Altai Mountains. The forests are dense, the grass is lush, and streams flow in the valleys, creating breathtaking scenery. For example, Tianshan Heavenly Lake has clear waters like a mirror, surrounded by mountains, resembling a fairyland on earth.
Vast Deserts: The Taklimakan Desert is the world’s second-largest shifting sand desert, with undulating dunes filled with a mysterious aura. Here, you can experience desert off-roading and admire the spectacular desert sunrises and sunsets.
Beautiful Lakes: Sayram Lake is known as the ‘Last Teardrop of the Atlantic Ocean,’ with its azure and crystal-clear waters exhibiting extremely high transparency. Kanas Lake is also charming, with its waters changing colors with the seasons and weather.
Miraculous Landforms:乌尔禾Devil City, for instance, is a typical Yardan landform area where rocks have been eroded by wind and water, forming various peculiar shapes that provide a strong visual impact.
Cultural Landscapes
Rich Ethnic Culture: Xinjiang is an area where multiple ethnic groups live together, including Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Hui, and many others. You can visit the traditional Uyghur homes, admire exquisite handicrafts, watch Kazakh equestrian performances, and experience the rich ethnic customs in the Old Town of Kashgar.
Historic Relics with a Long History: Xinjiang served as an important passage on the ancient Silk Road, leaving behind numerous precious historic relics. For example, Jiaohe Ancient City is the oldest and best-preserved city made of sun-dried earth in the world, while Gaochang Ancient City was once the political, economic, and cultural center of the Western Regions.
Food Culture
Characteristic Grilled Meat: Xinjiang’s grilled meat is famous far and wide. For instance, mutton skewers feature tender meat, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, sprinkled with cumin and other spices, creating a unique taste.
Diverse Cuisine: Besides grilled meat, there are also dishes such as hand-grabbed rice, mutton skewers, naan bread, beef noodles, and many other delicacies, each bursting with local flavor and leaving a lasting impression.
In summary, Xinjiang is not only renowned for its magnificent natural scenery and rich cultural landscapes but also has a unique food culture, making it a highly worthwhile tourist destination.