Introducing Central Xīnjiāng
Central Xīnjiāng tantalisingly combines some of northwest China's most unforgettable sights with some of its most unforgiving conditions. Dare if you will the crucible-like conditions of Turpan where the mercury can hit 49°C (120°F). Feel the heat as you gaze at the nearby fabled Flaming Mountains, that even Tripitaka and Monkey struggled to pass in their Journey to the West. Feel like a relaxing swim? Bad luck; at 2250km (1400mi) you're further from the ocean than anywhere on the planet. But there is much to enjoy in this vast desert area - Ürümqi's surprisingly wide range of eateries, hikes through the desert to vivid green oases or just learning something about the local Uighur culture. It is also a great place to start a journey into the rest of this atmospheric region, where the desert sands seem to whisper tales of caravans, Mongol hordes and intrepid sutra-toting monks.
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Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
