Four Seasons in Xinjiang
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The Sublime Beauty of Xinjiang
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Spring
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When spring comes, all living beings are back to life in Aksu as ice thaws and water flows.
Flowing Waters in Aksu
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Summer
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When summer comes, it is as hot as a furnace around the Flaming Mountains. The grapes of Turpan are ripe.
Turpan
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Autumn
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When autumn comes, the golden waves of desert poplar chant the praise of life.
Autumn in Xinjiang
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Winter
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When winter comes, falling snow and frozen ice portrays an ink painting on the vast land.
Tulip in the Snow, Jiangbulak Scenic Spot / 闫有才 Yan Youcai
Tianchi Lake, Urumqi / 卞志武 Bian Zhiwu
Hemu Village in Black and White Resembling an Ink Painting / 李学亮 Li Xueliang
Local Delicacies in Xinjiang
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A Taste of China: Journey of Xinjiang Cuisine
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Kashgar · Night Market Delicacies
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Kashgar, the most Uyghur-style city in southern Xinjiang, enjoys profound historical and cultural legacies and retains unique multi-cultural features.The night markets in Kashgar are an outdoor feast attracting people to taste the delicious street foods and live the cozy life.
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Turpan · Naan
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Turpan, the hottest place in China, is an important city on the ancient Silk Road featuring rich cultural tradition, fresh fruits that are available all year round and hospitable people. Sitting under the grape trellis in Turpan, drinking a cup of milk tea, eating sweet grapes and taking a bite of the freshly baked naan, it would be a fantastic experience! Nowadays, naan is more than just food; it has become a kind of emotional sustenance for the people of Turpan.
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Altay · Fish and Lamb Soup
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The Altay region of Xinjiang has mountains, forests, river valleys, lakes, hot springs, rock carvings and paintings. The pastures and rich water resources are all the gifts of nature as the sheep in pastures and the fish in Fuhai (Ulungur Lake) preserve the taste of nature. Delicious fish and lamb soup, spirited locals and ethnic customs add more flavor to the appeal of Altay.
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Ili · Hand Pilaf
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The unique landform of Ili brings sufficient rainfall to nurture the distinct local ecology, culture and cuisine. Although there are so many mouth-watering delicacies in Ili, hand pilaf has impressed everyone who has been there. It retains the typical flavor of the Western Regions by mixing a variety of ingredients. For the people of Ili, hand pilaf has become the epitome of the taste of life.
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Urumqi · Xinjiang Big Plate Chicken
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Xinjiang is an area where many ethnic groups live together. The dining habits of all ethnic groups and regions are also integrated here. Big plate chicken is listed on every restaurant’s menu in Urumqi as the most memorable flavor for the people in Xinjiang. It integrates a rich variety of ingredients that people with different tastes all fall for it. Just like the dish, Urumqi is also an accommodating city for multi-ethnic culture. Both the Han people and ethnic minorities, local residents and immigrants can find a pleasant place where they belong in Urumqi.
Xinjiang Baked Buns / 陈富 Chen Fu
Roast fish in Jinhuyang National Forest Park / 包迪 Bao Di
Roast Fish with the Branches of Populus Euphratica / 王胜利 Wang Shengli
Fruit (Xinjiang Hami Melon, Little White Apricot, etc.) / Photo by Dominic Galeon
Pomegranate
Xinjiang Jujube / Image by xbeing
Entertainment in Xinjiang
All ethnic groups in Xinjiang love and are amazingly skillful in horse racing. Historical records of Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties have shown that horse racing was connected with national military service and was one of the important forms of entertainment for imperial families and high officials to be held during festivities. In recent years, new horse racing events have been developed, such as steeplechase horse racing, cross-country racing, polo, mounted shooting, dressage and carriage driving, etc.
Horse Racing
Grand Prix of China Flat Racing 2016 opened in Korla, Xinjiang
Buzkashi, or goat grabbing, is a popular traditional sport in Xinjiang usually held as a part of festivities or performances. Players can be divided into different teams or not. The host puts a headless goat carcass at a designated place. Players gallop on horseback to grab the goat carcass and head toward the finishing point using different tactics to ensure that they are the first to arrive. According to the custom, the winner roasts the goat and asks all players to share it on the spot as a way to gain happiness and good fortune.
Buzkashi
Buzkashi / 任国强 Ren Guoqiang
Somtax Township of Akqi County is known as the “Land of Falcons”. Almost all local Kirgiz families raise and train falcons for hunting. Every winter, hundreds of falcons are gathered in the village to join a falcon hunting competition for several days, now known as the Falcon Cultural Festival that has attracted many tourists. Kazakh people living on the grassland in Xinjiang also love falcons. The fierce Kazakh hunters go winter hunting on horseback with falcons and hounds in the mountains, forests and on grasslands.
Falcons / 韩栓柱 Han Shuanzhu
Winter Fishing in Fuhai (Ulungur Lake)
Gliding / Photo by Zhenyu Ye
Urumqi Ski Resort
Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar
Geographical Midpoint of Asia
Xinjiang Grand Theater
Xinjiang is a place where multiple ethnic groups converge and integrate. Different geographical conditions and ecological environment of different ethnic groups have generated a unique minority dance culture. Oasis dance culture represented by Uygur Sanam Dance and Uzbek dance, grassland dance culture represented by Kazakh Kara Jorga Dance, Mongolian Sauurdin Dance and Kirgiz dance and plateau dance culture represented by Tajik Eagle Dance all reflect their outlook on life, nature and culture.
Dance: Beautiful Girl / 王树声 Wang Shusheng
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Youtube: China Cultural Center in Stockholm
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYqOYwuQtyTHC-iMNdfExsw
