Xinjiang Feast (A Self-Guided Journey Through the Heart of Asia)

Author: Shen Wei
Publisher:
Publishing Date: Not available
Features: The road was born for your steps and dreams. / In this book, I am happy to be a "guide" to take you to Xinjiang, this land that constitutes one-sixth of the country and has historically been known as the "Western Regions." In your mind, Xinjiang may represent the geographical "far," yet with the of modern transportation, it has become a destination that more and more travelers can reach. The magnificent scenery, topography, fusion of the four great civilizations, cohabitation of multiple ethnic groups, and the distant echoes of the Silk Road, and so on, can broadly outline its mixed-race, abundant, and magnificent characteristics. This golden heart of Asia is undoubtedly a feast, a feast of diverse civilizations, natural landscapes, and ethnic customs. Its overwhelming beauty is a shock, often making your eyes wide open, and the journey becomes a soul-stirring experience. Of course, the charm of Xinjiang is not just the common exotic exhibition represented by visual means; it does not just satisfy your dreams of the unknown. When you set off after a long journey, in fact, you have already moved from the surface of the exotic to its hidden inner self. The journey is long, the scenery is boundless, and your backpack will be filled with various experiences, feelings, and vivid details. You will gain more than you imagine and highly personalized treasures. In the early 20th century, Xinjiang was once a world-class adventure paradise, and the treasures unearthed from this "graveyard of civilizations" are now collected in museums in more than 13 countries around the world. Since then, the "Western Regions fever" and the "Silk Road fever" that have lasted for a hundred years have attracted more and more explorers, followed by ordinary travelers who share the same exotic dreams and have their own legs. Compared to "exploration," I prefer the term "travel." To some extent, the world has no more dangers to explore. "Travel" exudes simplicity and familiarity, giving a sense of a connection between people and the earth. Travel brings you new experiences, doubled sensitivity, and extraordinary rewards—it is almost like driving you toward a new life. I also agree with the idea that travel needs stillness. Only by being still can the world move, and only then can the wonderful moments and details be easily found. The result of running wildly is often a fleeting glimpse, panting, and returning in confusion. Traveling is beautiful. Travelers can receive rewards from the distance because of their yearning for it and their arrival. It's that simple—just pack your bags, and with the necessary mental and material preparation, you can reach any place shown in the book. Following the 7 routes designed in this book, you will find: as long as you set off, you can meet beauty at any time. This book has gone through too many changes, from the draft papers and photos to the final form of bricks and mortar on the computer. In the end, it became a basic form with a crescent pattern guiding 8 chapters and a silk fabric cut as the edge, striving for diverse changes on every page, with a strong "cumin flavor." Originally, I wanted to include a tourist map printed on silk in the book and also provide a leather pouch to match it, so that when walking on the ancient Silk Road under the dazzling sunlight of the west, tracing the ancient ruins, and visiting friends from ethnic minorities, it would be perfectly suited.