Overview
Xinjiang, which means 'New Territory' in Chinese, is China's largest province (autonomous region). The 6th tallest mountain range in the world, Tianshan (the 'Heavenly Mountains') lies across this land. Two great basins lie to the south and north.
The Altai Mountains (north), Altun Mountains (east), Pamirs (west), and Kunlun Mountains (south) draw the outline of Xinjiang. These great mountains cradle the diverse landscapes of Xinjiang, snowy peaks, forests, lakes, grasslands, deserts, Yardang rockforms, and canyons.
Xinjiang is the homeland of 13 Chinese ethnic minorities. Nomadic cultures give north Xinjiang a free-living feel and romantic temperament, while oasis cultures and the Silk Road give south Xinjiang an exotic and profound backdrop.
