Canadian World Traveller Summer 2017 issue

43
Xinjiang is located in the North
West of China, in the Mongolian
Uplands and was a key city on the
Silk Road and a hub for east-west cultural
exchanges in ancient times.
Visiting here is a treat and UNESCO has
listed Xinjiang Tianshan, part of one of the
largest mountain ranges in the world, the
Tianshan mountain system. Whether driving
or biking or hiking, the beauty of this
place is undeniable. Snowy mountains
glaciers, forests and meadows, clear rivers
and lakes that have remained undisturbed
for ages. Added to this natural beauty,
UNESCO also notes that the landscapes
contrast with the neighbouring desert,
offering the best of opportunities for photographers
and naturists. Even more, the
ecosystems of the site have been in place
since the Pliocene epoch and offer biologists
and scientists an exceptional example
of ongoing biological and ecological evolutionary
progression. In addition to this
scientific marvel, the site continues into the
Taklimakan Desert, one of the world’s
largest and highest deserts! Xinjiang
Tianshan is, above all, a home for some
rare and endangered species of plants
and animals.
The Xinjiang Silk Road Museum is a must
visit for history fans. In the Museum, visitors
learn about the civilizations of the
Xinjiang
ancient region and explore the influence
of China in the area. The museum
includes sections that explore history, pastoral
arts, jade and other sections that are
as fascinating as they are informative.
Karakol Lake is a magnificent lake surrounded
by snow-covered mountains. The
lake is a destination of choice for travellers
for its beautiful scenery and clear
water, whose color ranges from a dark
green to azure and light blue.
Tianshan Tianchi Lake is another beautiful
lake surrounded by mountains. After
climbing several thousand meters to the
top of the mountain, you can take a trolley
until you reach the lake. Picturesque and
breathtaking, you can take a short boat
ride around the lake or hike the mountains!
For a change of pace, a visit to the capital
city Urumqi is just the thing. Here, highrise
apartments and business centres
replace the peace and quite of the countryside.
Though not an historic city, its
museum is excellent and there are some
very interesting districts and tourist attractions
like Hongshan Park. This is a great a
great place to walk and enjoy great views
of the city, best from the hilltop pagoda,
which has become the city’s icon.
Canadian World Traveller Summer 2017