As the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region anticipates an influx of tourists during the picturesque autumn and winter seasons, preparations are in full swing to highlight the region’s myriad attractions. Xinjiang, covering a vast expanse of over 1.66 million square kilometers, equivalent to one-sixth of China’s total land area, is the largest provincial-level region in the country.
Noted for its vibrant ethnic songs and dances, delicious melons and other fruits, and precious natural jade and gemstones, Xinjiang stands as an appealing tourism destination. Gao Zheng, director-general of the Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, highlights the region’s strategic role: “Xinjiang is an important gateway connecting Asia and Europe, a crucial channel for the Silk Road facilitating trade and friendly exchanges between East and West.”
The region boasts a stunning array of landscapes with glaciers and snow-capped mountains residing alongside deserts and sprawling plains. Key natural features include the Altay Mountains, Tianshan Mountains, Kunlun Mountains, Tarim Basin, and Junggar Basin, which contribute to extraordinary desert and sand dune scenery. The crisscrossing Tarim River, Ili River, and Ertix River further enhance the ecological richness, creating a spectacular fusion of oases and deserts.
As a pivotal location along the ancient Silk Road, Xinjiang has fostered a unique culture illustrated by the diverse ethnic groups, including the Han, Uygur, Kazak, Hui, Kirgiz, Mongolian, Tajik, and Uzbek people. The region is steeped in history, being the birthplace of renowned Kuche and Loulan civilizations, and houses several famed cultural heritage sites such as the Gaochang Ruins, Jiaohe Ruins, Beiting Ruins, and Kizil Caves.
In addition to its cultural and natural wonders, Xinjiang has also emerged as a frontier for China’s winter sports tourism. Altay, in northern Xinjiang, is blessed with a long snow season, lasting nearly 180 days each year. The region has capitalised on these abundant ice and snow resources to develop 10 major ski clusters, including the Keketuohai, Jiangjun Mountain, and Hemu ski resorts. These efforts have resulted in a vibrant ice and snow industry that combines snow sports and leisure vacations, according to Delida Nabi, director of the Altay Tourism Bureau.
Over recent years, Altay has hosted various winter sports events, such as the 2021-22 ISF cross-country skiing tour, the inaugural national ski mountaineering championship in 2023, and the first winter sports games of Xinjiang. With this combination of natural beauty, rich culture, and exciting winter sports, Xinjiang is poised to provide a memorable experience for its anticipated surge of autumn and winter visitors.
READ MORE: