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Map of Xijiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

With Urumqi as its capital, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is located in the northwestern border area of China. It nearly covers 1/6 of the total area of China, making it as the largest province, and boasts a population of 18.89 million including many ethnic groups, among which Uygur take up 45% of the total population. Superlatives are often used when describing Xinjiang: It is the most arid province; also contains the hottest and the coldest places; the longest inland river, the Tarim; the lowest marsh, the Aydingkol Lake (Moonlight Lake) in the Turpan Basin; the largest inland lake and the largest desert.

Location of Xinjiang

Xinjiang borders Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Uzbekistan, Tadzhikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
Most of Xinjiang is young geologically, having been formed from the collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian plate, forming the Tian Shan, Kunlun Shan, and Pamir mountain ranges. Consequently, Xinjiang is a major earthquake zone. Xinjiang's lowest point is the Turfan Depression, 155 meters below sea level. Its highest peak, K2, is 8611 meters above sea level, on the border with Kashmir. Besides, there are a lot of famous deserts which have been attracting the tourists who are willing to have a challenge and explorers.

Climate of Xinjiang

Xinjiang has a desert climate with a low annual rainfall of only 150 millimeters (6 inches). Winters are very cold and summers extremely hot. The best time to visit this province is in the autumn, when the days are long, the sky is clear and temperatures more bearable than in the heat of the summer. Another excellent reason to visit at that time is the abundance of delicious melons and other fruits and vegetables which are then available.

Transportation in Xinjiang

Railways in Xinjiang

Lanzhou-Urumqi railway is connected with Baotou-Lanzhou and Lanzhou-Lianyungang railways. Nanjing railway which connects Urumqi to Kashi via Korla, and Beijing railways which connect Urumqi to Alataw Shankou are two major regional railways.

Highways in Xinjiang

Centered round Urumqi, several national highways and provincial highways connect every city and county of the region. Express highway connecting Urumqi with Hami and Korgas has been put into use.

Airways in Xinjiang

Urumqi International Airport is one of China’s gateway airports. Domestic flights can reach Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and over 40 other major cities in China, while the international airlines connect the region with the destinations in Middle and Far East.

Travel & Sightseeing

In Xinjiang, tourists can visit the world-famous Yardang Spectacle in Korla, stone forests, enjoy the mystery of the desert with its spectacular sand mountains. The ancient Silk Road brought Xinjiang a mix of eastern and western cultures which left behind stunning relics. Today, those ancient cities, caves, temples and tombs attract countless tourists from home and abroad. While you are visiting Xinjiang, it is important to be aware of the time zone being used. Although officially run on Beijing time, Xinjiang people also use their own system. If Beijing time is used it means that the sun doesn't raise until 9am and it is still light at midnight in the summer months. When making travel arrangements, be sure which time zone or system is being used or you could get caught out.

Xinjiang Uygur AUT.REG Map

 

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Simple Map of Xinjiang Uygur AUT.REG

Full simple map of Xinjiang Uygur AUT.REG(600*600 pixel, file size: 36 KB)