Map of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

Author: Wang Ruiping (Editor-in-Chief)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Xinjiang, the short name for the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is located in the northwest of China and situated at the center of the Eurasian continent. It covers an area of over 1.66 million square kilometers, accounting for about 1/6 of the country's total area, making it the largest province in terms of land area. Except for its southeastern connection with Gansu and Qinghai, and southern connection with Tibet, the region borders eight countries: Mongolia to the northeast, the Russian Federation to the north, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to the northwest and west respectively, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India to the southwest. Its border line stretches over 5,400 kilometers, making it the province with the longest border line and the most ports in China, giving it a unique geographical advantage for opening up to the outside world.
Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic region with the Uygur ethnic group as the majority. The total population of the autonomous region is 16,052,648, of which 10,015,948 are ethnic minorities, accounting for 62%. The Uygur ethnic group has the largest population, accounting for 47%, followed by the Han ethnic group at 37%. Additionally, there are 34 other ethnic groups residing in Xinjiang, including Kazakhs, Hui, Mongols, Kirgiz, Sibo, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Manchus, Daur, Tatar, Russians, Dongxiang, Salar, Tibetan, Miao, Yi, Bouyei, Korean, etc.
In the north of Xinjiang lies the Altai Mountains, while in the south are the Kunlun Mountains, the Karakoram Mountains, and the Altun Mountains. The Tian Shan Mountains, as a symbol of Xinjiang, run through the central part of the region, forming the Tarim Basin to the south and the Junggar Basin to the north. Traditionally, the area south of the Tian Shan is called South Xinjiang, the area north of the Tian Shan is called North Xinjiang, and the Hami and Turpan Basins are referred to as East Xinjiang.
Xinjiang boasts numerous lakes with beautiful natural scenery, including the famous "Top Ten Lakes": Bosten Lake, Ebinur Lake, Buluntuo Lake, Ayagukur Lake, Sayram Lake, Aqikeul Lake, Whale Lake, Jili Lake, Aksai Lake, and Aiximan Lake. Xinjiang is home to China's driest, hottest, and coldest places, as well as its longest inland river, lowest-lying areas, and largest desert. In Xinjiang, visitors can admire world-famous Yadan landforms, wind-eroded mushrooms, caves, stone forests, as well as unique natural phenomena such as mirages in the desert and the sound of flying sand.
Xinjiang also offers countless rare desert flora and fauna for visitors to appreciate. The cultural tourism resources of Xinjiang are uniquely charming. The "Silk Road" passes through Xinjiang and is world-renowned. There are 236 historical and artistic sites with scientific research value in Xinjiang, including ancient cultural relics, tombs, ancient buildings, ancient grottoes (such as the Thousand Buddha Caves), stone carvings, and modern memorial structures, 10 of which are listed as national key cultural heritage sites. There is also one national key scenic area: the Tianchi in Changji, which is home to 16 Buddhist Thousand Buddha Caves and over 550 relatively complete caves. Additionally, there are thousands of other cultural heritage sites. Xinjiang also has 22 nature reserves. The Altai Rock Art Corridor and the discovery of Junggar dinosaur fossils have attracted the attention of domestic and international experts and scholars.
Xinjiang is renowned as the "Homeland of Music and Dance" and the "Land of Fruits and Melons," where vibrant folk cultural activities can be enjoyed everywhere, and delicious grapes and fruits can be tasted everywhere. With its long borders and numerous ports, Xinjiang has long maintained friendly exchanges with people from Central and West Asian countries, making it a highly attractive destination for domestic and international tourists.