Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

Xinjiang, officially the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, is an autonomous region of China in the northwest of the country. It is the largest Chinese administrative division , spanning over 1.6 million skm. Xinjiang borders the countries of Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The extremely rugged Karakoram, Kunlun, and Tian Shan mountain ranges occupy much of Xinjiang's borders, as well as its western and southern regions. Xinjiang also borders Tibet Autonomous Region and the provinces of Gansu and Qinghai. The most well-known route of the historical Silk Road ran through the territory from the east to its northwestern border. In recent decades, abundant oil and mineral reserves have been found in Xinjiang, and it is currently China's largest natural gas-producing region.
It is home to a number of ethnic groups including the Han, Kazakhs, Tajiks, Hui, Uyghur, Kyrgyz, Mongols, and Russians. More than a dozen autonomous prefectures and counties for minorities are in Xinjiang. Xinjiang is divided into the Dzungarian Basin in the north and the Tarim Basin in the south by the Tianshan mountain range. Only about 4.3% of Xinjiang's land area is fit for human habitation.
With a documented history of at least 2,500 years, a succession of peoples and empires has vied for control over all or parts of this territory. The territory came under the rule of the Qing dynasty in the 18th century, which was later replaced by the Republic of China government. Since 1949, it has been part of the People's Republic of China following the Chinese Civil War.
As the Taklimakan Desert occupies the vast land, the silk routes is split into North, South and Middle route in Xinjiang. There were various states in the history in Western Region that was the old name of Xinjiang in the past, so that there are many ruins that were well-preserved due to the dry climate in Xinjiang. Normally travelers will view the stunning Tianshan Mountains and Aletai Mountains in Northern Xinjiang particularly the Heavenly Lake and Kanas Lake; and travelers can visit Kashgar, Hotian etc. where Uyghurs keep their traditional life style.
Moreover there are many summits in Xinjiang that attract climbers from all over the world, including K2, Muztagata, Bogda etc. The well-known places for travelers in Xinjiang include Kashgar, Urumqi, Turpan, Hotian, Kuqa, Hami, Yining, Kanas etc.