Travel Guide

Kanas vs Jiuzhaigou compared: an honest look at Xinjiang’s remote alpine lake and Sichuan’s turquoise valley, so you can pick the right autumn lake trip.

North vs South Xinjiang compared by a planner who has done both loops twice: scenery, food, costs, seasons and two 8-day routes to help you pick right.

Who are the Xinjiang ethnic groups? A traveler’s overview of Uyghur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Hui and Xibe communities, where to meet them and how to visit.

Xinjiang Islamic architecture blends Central Asian, Persian and Chinese design in mosques and mausoleums. A guide to the top sites and how to visit them.

Xinjiang folk dance, from Dolan to Sanam: where travelers can watch Uyghur dance live, join a village meshrep, and the best seasons for visiting Xinjiang.

A hands-on guide to Xinjiang handicrafts: how Atlas silk is dyed, Yingjisha knives forged and doppa hats made, plus where to watch and buy the real thing.

Xinjiang Muqam is a UNESCO-listed suite of Uyghur song, poetry and dance. A performer explains its structure, instruments and where to hear it live today.

Xibe culture in Xinjiang: how the 1764 westward migration built Qapqal’s archery halls, living Manchu script and festivals. A first-hand traveler’s guide.

Tajik culture in Xinjiang, from a photographer who kept returning to Tashkurgan: eagle dances, apricot villages, festivals, homestays and permit tips.

Kyrgyz culture in Xinjiang comes alive at Karakul Lake: yurt stays, Manas epic, felt crafts and horse games. An expedition guide shares 8 seasons of tips.