From the cool mountains of Lijiang, we made our way back to the desert, into the furthest northwest region of China, a province called Xinjiang. Xinjiang is notable for being home to China's Muslim population, the native Uigher (pronounced "wee-gur") nation. They are a mix of ancient Ottoman and Mongolian civilizations. Xinjiang sits at the doorway to China for eastbound travelers on the Silk Road from Europe to Asia. It is a fascinating place, and very different from anywhere else we've been in China.
Xinjiang produces much of China's fruit - and is famous for their watermelon (Tiffany enjoys this cup of fresh watermelon as much as for its sweet juicy flavor as for its economical 25 cent cost) as well as walnuts, grapes and a melon called Hami melon, from the Hami region. It's sort of like a crunchy, sweet canteloupe.
The Muslim influence can be seen in the nightly food markets, with savory smoke pouring off the lines of hot coals grilling lamb kebabs, along with fish and vegetables. This stand put together an artistic, if somewhat unsettling, display of the Xinjiang version of "Mary Had a Little Lamb (Kebab)"
Mountains of nuts and dried fruit provided flashes of color.
The province of Xinjiang comprises 16% of China's land, but only has a population of around 20 million. Considering that that is the same as Shanghai's population alone, we felt remarkably free and uncrowded, as can be seen by Tiffany stretching her legs along the deserted main highway which runs along the Silk Road.
The latest in Xinjiang's Baby Bjorn fashion. This one doubles as a high chair.
For a region that feels remarkably unchanged from the past, it is also quite advanced. While we have been traveling along the Silk Road, our Uigher guide has educated us on Xinjiang's ancient history. And it's been easy to imagine what life was like 1000, 2000 years ago, because for the most part we've witnessed the same, simple farming lifestyle, slow-paced life and easy-going people with a ready smile. At the same time, we've seen massive wind-power farms and oil and natural resource mining operations that point to the future development of this ancient region. We just hope they don't stop growing that delicious fruit!
Xinjiang produces much of China's fruit - and is famous for their watermelon (Tiffany enjoys this cup of fresh watermelon as much as for its sweet juicy flavor as for its economical 25 cent cost) as well as walnuts, grapes and a melon called Hami melon, from the Hami region. It's sort of like a crunchy, sweet canteloupe.
The Muslim influence can be seen in the nightly food markets, with savory smoke pouring off the lines of hot coals grilling lamb kebabs, along with fish and vegetables. This stand put together an artistic, if somewhat unsettling, display of the Xinjiang version of "Mary Had a Little Lamb (Kebab)"
Mountains of nuts and dried fruit provided flashes of color.
The province of Xinjiang comprises 16% of China's land, but only has a population of around 20 million. Considering that that is the same as Shanghai's population alone, we felt remarkably free and uncrowded, as can be seen by Tiffany stretching her legs along the deserted main highway which runs along the Silk Road.
The latest in Xinjiang's Baby Bjorn fashion. This one doubles as a high chair.
For a region that feels remarkably unchanged from the past, it is also quite advanced. While we have been traveling along the Silk Road, our Uigher guide has educated us on Xinjiang's ancient history. And it's been easy to imagine what life was like 1000, 2000 years ago, because for the most part we've witnessed the same, simple farming lifestyle, slow-paced life and easy-going people with a ready smile. At the same time, we've seen massive wind-power farms and oil and natural resource mining operations that point to the future development of this ancient region. We just hope they don't stop growing that delicious fruit!
2 comments:
Oh man, I love me some non-American country fruit! Uighurs sound like fascinating people. And yet so unknown. Hope your trip is going well!
Remember when fruit looked natural and wasn't steroidal or cosmetically enhanced? I'd almost forgotten that real fruit looks ugly and tastes amazing! Hope South America is treating you well and no more pickpockets!
Zach
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