Lest those of you living outside of Xinjiang forget, this province is not just one big, barren desert. The locals here all know it, which is why you’ll find more outdoor stores in Urumqi than KFC’s, China’s biggest fast food chain. Tis the season for hiking and camping and I can’t wait to be a part of it. This picture was taken by a friend on their camping trip into the mountains 3 weeks ago.

This picture was taken less than 2 kilometers from my home in an area that my wife and I have begun to picnic now that it’s getting warmer. This is just one example of just how small our city is, and just how lifeless it is the moment you step outside the city limit. Oddly, I love it.

The south side of Urumqi (a.k.a. Wulumuqi or 乌鲁木齐) has a much different flavor than the north. Down here you’ll find the mosque, markets, and this – the International Bazaar. It’s a must-see for any person who can’t see any other part of Xinjiang besides its capital. Here you’ll be able to buy rugs, knives, instruments, hats…you name it. You’ll probably get ripped off, but that’s beside the point.

Aside from their food, the most distinctive cultural symbol for the Uyghurs here in Xinjiang is their traditional dance. For many years now Uyghur dance troupes have traveled all over the world showing off three very important parts of their heritage: costume, music, and movement. On their own each of these display a beauty unique to the Uyghur people while together it creates an absolutely fascinating display of local customs.

This cemetery, located in the north western portion of Kashgar, is one of the biggest Uyghur cemeteries in Xinjiang. Up until recently people were still being buried in these mud and brick built graves beside the Abah Khojah Mausoleum. The markings on these graves are not as ornate as those on a Chinese grave but the designs are much more unique and visually pleasing.

When you come to Xinjiang you’ll see these hats everywhere, usually worn by the Uyghur half of the population. Also known as a “dopa” these 4-angled hats – brightly colored and embroidered with beautiful beads – have come to be known by some as a symbol of the Uyghur people. Here you see a small shop in Kashgar showcasing the variety of sizes and colors of hats you can find to buy as a souvenir. Stop by and grab one for yourself.

When you’re making your way through the Tian Shan mountain range sometimes it’s difficult to find a good Cracker Barrel or Love’s Travel Stop when nature calls. Instead, just stop the bus in the middle of the road and let everybody try to find their own private “watering hole”. Awkward, but convenient.

I’ve learned to appreciate archived photos of Xinjiang, being able to look at the different ways this place has both changed as well as remained stuck in the past. This beautiful photo is actually part of a collection of slides (Kodachrome) and B/W shots (just recently scanned) taken during Ricky’s trip to Kashgar in 1984…

It’s almost March and snow still covers the ground here in northern Xinjiang. This photo, taken right outside 石河子 or “Shihezi”, a couple hours northwest of Uruqmi, is a beautiful representation of a rural road (which in this case is a toll road!) covered by Xinjiang’s winter.

I’m not sure how he did it, but photographer Didier Marti was somehow able to make Xinjiang’s dirtiest, most polluted and densly populated city look beautiful. In the foreground you can see the capital’s Hong Shan Park, a great place to relax and take your own cityscape picture. For more great travel photos…