Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, also called Xin for short, is situated in the northwestern border area of China. In southeast, it neighbors Gansu Province, Qinghai Province and the Tibet Autonomous Region. It covers an area of 1.6649 million square kilometers, accounting for one sixth of Chinese territory. So Xinjiang is China’s largest administrative region at the provincial level. From northeast to southwest, Xinjiang borders Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Xinjiang had a population of 20.1 million with Uyghur making up 45.9% of the total.

Landform and Climate

Characteristic of Xinjiang landform can be described as mountains and basins alternating with each other and basins caught in mountains’ embrace. In the north lies Altai Mountains, in the south is Kunlun Mountains, while Tianshan Mountains lay along the middle dividing Xinjiang into two parts: in the southern part stretches Tarim Basin and in the northern part Jungar Basin.

In climate, Xinjiang is under the control of a typical temperate continental climate, featuring long sunshine time and high cumulative temperature. With the annual precipitation of 188 mm, Xinjiang is a region with the least rainfall in China. The local annual mean air temperature stands at 10.4℃, with the average air temperature in the coldest month (January) ranging from –14℃ to –20℃ and that in the hottest month (July) varying between 25-32℃.

Transportation

Xinjiang has 12 civil airports, including 2 major international airports in Urumqi and Kashgar, and other airports in Yining, Altai, Tacheng, Karamay, Hotan, Arksu and Korla. 92 air routes have been opened with Urumqi at the center. A network of railways has been formed with Urumqi at the center. The Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway was extended to Alatav Pass Port (also called Alashankou Port), forming a second Eurasia railway.

History

Xinjiang, called Western Region in ancient times, has been an inalienable part of China from ancient times. In 60 B.C., Xinjiang officially became a part of China’s territory for that year central government of the Western Han Dynasty founded the West Region Frontier Command here. In 1884, the government of the Qing Dynasty established Xinjiang Province. In 1949, Xinjiang was liberated through peaceful means. October 1, 1955 saw the establishment of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Food and Tourism 

Mutton kebab has become a nationwide popular food in China. Roast lamb is a famous delicacy of Xinjiang. Pilaf (steamed rice with muttons) and hand grabbed boiled mutton are favorite food of ethnic people. Nang, roast stuffed bun, hand-pulled noodles, oil fried wheaten food, steamed twisted roll, milk tea are traditional foods of local ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. 

There are abundant tourist resources in Xinjiang. China has 68 categories of tourist resources, and Xinjiang is endowed with 56 of them. Wellknown are such place of scenic interests as Heavenly Lake, Kanas Lake, Bosteng Lake, Sayram Lake and Bayinbluk Grassland. Besides, there are many well-known places of historical interest, such as the remains of Jiaohe Ancient City, remains of Gaochang Ancient City, ruins of Loulan and Kezil Thousand-Buddha Grottoes.

Universities in Xinjiang

• Xinjiang University 
• Xinjiang Normal University 
• Xinjiang Medical University 
• Xinjiang Training Center of CNPC 
• Xinjiang Arts Institute 
• Xinjiang Agricultural Vocational Technical College 
• Xinjiang Agricultural University