During my visit to Karakul Lake along the Karakhoram Highway we saw the majestic mountains and the crystal-clear water, but the most memorable experience was meeting our host, a Kyrgyz woman from a nearby village.

Why should you live or travel to China’s far western province of Xinjiang? The better question is…why not? But for those who need a reason, here’s six.

Welcome to Kashgar. In terms of size, Kashgar is relatively small, boasting close to only 400,000 inhabitants, yet it is well known all over the world as the cultural and commercial capital of the Silk Road.

My experience traveling to Xinjiang proved to me that Kashgar poses very little danger. What’s dangerous is the distrust between Han and Uyghur.