●Things to See & Do好玩的
Kanas Lake 喀纳斯
An alpine lake of impossible blue in the far north, ringed by forest and legend — the postcard image of Xinjiang.
Heavenly Lake 天山天池
A short drive from Urumqi: snow peaks, spruce forest, and a lake at 1,900 metres.
Turpan & the Karez 吐鲁番坎儿井
Grape valleys and an ancient underground irrigation system that turns a desert oasis green.
Kashgar Old City 喀什古城
Winding mud-brick lanes and a Sunday livestock market that has hardly changed in a century.
●Food & Drink好吃的
Lamb Skewers 烤羊肉串
Charcoal-grilled lamb with cumin and chilli — the street food of the northwest, eaten with naan straight off the fire.
Big Plate Chicken 大盘鸡
Chicken, potatoes, and hand-pulled noodles in one enormous dish, built for sharing — and for wiping up the sauce.
Pilaf 抓饭
Lamb and carrot rice, traditionally eaten by hand; the festival version is loaded with raisins and apricots.
●Folk Customs Few Have Heard Of民间习俗
01
Meshrep 麦西来甫
The Uyghurs' communal gathering of music, dance, and poetry — a movable feast that can spring up in any courtyard, with the eldest leading.
02
Aken singing 阿肯弹唱
Kazakh wandering bards improvise verses on a two-stringed lute, trading witty songs back and forth like a musical duel.
03
Two Eids 古尔邦节与开斋节
The two great Muslim festivals are marked with sheep feasts, new clothes, and a full day of visiting — the year's biggest social occasions.