Kína /China, Xinjiang, Hami. Uygur King’s Mausoleums (Photos: Eifert János)

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Xinjiang is located in northwest China and covers 617 thousand square miles. Its population is 16.62 million. It contains one sixth of the total area of China, and is inhabited with different minorities and nationalities including Uygur, Han, Kazak, Hui, Mongolian, Kirgiz, Xihe, Tajik, Uzbek, Manchu, Daur, Tatar, and Russian.

Xinjiang is far from the sea and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, boundless deserts and vast grasslands. There are many basins and oases scattered over the region. The dry climate has created the peculiar natural scenery such as the Gobi Desert and salt deserts. The clear water from melted snow and ample sunshine make it an invigorating place.

After entering the border of Xinjiang, the Silk Road splits into three routes: the north, middle and south. Many ruins of ancient cities, watchtowers and numerous historical sites of the Han and Tang dynasties that have been swallowed by the sand remain along the routes. There are also important cities and towns such as Urumqi, Turpan, Kashai, Kuqa, Hotan, and Taxkorgan along the ancient Silk Road.

Hami
This was an important strategic place on the Silk Road, also known as Kunwu in ancient times. Hami is the eastern gate of Xinjiang and a convenient transport point. The Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway and Highway run through it and buses also stop at all the counties.

Hami King’s Mausoleum
Situated in Shazaojing, Huicheng, a western suburb of the city, the Hami King’s Mausoleum is the largest mosque in the area. The mausoleum is covered with green glazed and white patterned tiles. The vault is majestic and decorated with colorful paintings. Opposite the mausoleum is another large mosque, the ceiling of which is supported by 108 carved wooden pillars and the inside walls are painted with flower patterns with extracts from the Koran.