This assessment is based on our recent 2-week trip (10/13/2024 – 10/26/2024) to Xinjiang. It was our second visit to Xinjiang. Our first visit was in 2010, also for 2 weeks.
Xinjiang is very big. It can be divided into 5 areas:
The Northern Highlands (the major mountain range in this area is the Altai Mountains, with average heights of approximately 4,500 feet (1,400 meters) above sea level)
The Jungge (Dzungarian) Basin (is bordered by the Altai Mountains on the northeast, the Tien Shan Mountain on the south, and the Zhongghar (Dzungarian) Alatau (Alataw) Mountains (principally of Kazakhstan) on the northwest).
The Tian Shan Mountain (occupies nearly one-fourth of the area of Xinjiang. These mountains stretch into the region from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan and run eastward from the border for about 1,000 miles (1,600 km). The highest mountains rise to an elevation of approximately 24,500 feet (or 7,500 meters).
The Tian Shan Basin (sometimes also called the Tarim Basin-named after the Tarim River – an endorheic river, meaning a river that does not lead to an ocean or sea), a region of central Asia between the Tian Shan and Kunlun Mountains).
The Kunlun Mountains (one of the longest mountain chains and one of the most remote places on earth, and it is considered one of the toughest places in the world for humans to live).
Our trip in Xinjiang runs mostly in the regions 4 and 5, that is, in the Tian Shan Basin (with the Tian Shan Mountain in the background to the north) and in the region north of the Kunlun Mountains.
I want to report on the following places that we visited:
- Xinjiang’s ancient irrigation method in Turpan region
- Anjihai Sea Grand Canyon
- Sayram Lake (赛里木湖) – the largest and also the highest alpine lake in Xinjiang
- An unexpected roadside lunch
- Large Man-Made Lake Built on top of a Natural Lake (Baisha White Sand Mountain/Lake)
- Lin Zexu (林则徐) Memorial Hall in Yili
- View on China’s Economic and Financial Resources
- Comment on foreign reports on Xinjiang
- Three Additional comments
- Comments on China’s Hotels
- Comment on our Tour Guide
- Xinjiang’s website
A. Xinjiang’s Ancient Irrigation Method
Xinjiang is high in elevation and in general does not have a lot of rain. So the little rain that falls on the ground can quickly evaporate back into the air, which makes normal irrigation methods non-workable. For many centuries, the people in Xinjiang used an ingenious method to irrigate their land to produce various vegetables and fruits. This irrigation method is called the “karez system”, commonly found in the Turpan region.
It refers to an ancient underground irrigation system making use of the many high mountains (which can be found in various parts of Xinjiang), where a network of interconnected wells and underground canals collect water from the mountains and channel it to the surface for agricultural use. Because the interconnected wells and underground canals are underground, the system can keep the water from being evaporated. It is considered a remarkable feat of engineering that allows for cultivation in the arid desert environment of Xinjiang.
Photos of the “karez system” can be found in the web under Xinjiang’s ancient irrigation method, e.g. at
https://www.farwestchina.com/travel/turpan/uyghur-karez-wells/
This should be a fantastic site when it opens (probably in 2025). We saw it in mid- October 2024 before it officially opens. So what we saw is not the whole thing.
The Anjihai Grand Canyon is located in the west of Anjihai Town, Shawan County. It originates from the Tianshan Mountains. Its special geological landforms have been featured in National Geographic magazine. The canyon here is breathtaking, the cliffs stand, and the bottom of the valley is up to 100 meters deep. Standing on the edge of the cliff, the cold wind surges straight up from the bottom of the ravine, making people tremble in the bottom of the ditch, and the legs are soft and numb.
It is worth tourists from all over the world. The Grand Canyon has landscapes such as Hongshan, Daiya, Qingfeng, Green Island, and clear water. It has different scenery throughout the year, becoming the most colorful Grand Canyon in the canyon group in China. Known as “China’s Grand Canyon of Colorado”.
The landforms on both sides of the river in the Anjihai Grand Canyon are different. The west bank is the Gobi, which is relatively flat, and the east bank is the rolling hills, which form a sharp contrast and give people a unique feeling.
Anjihai Grand Canyon is about a 3-hour drive west of Urumqi. You can find many photos of the magnificent Anjihai Grand Canyon on the web, e.g. at
The landforms on both sides of the river are different. The west bank is the Gobi, which is relatively flat, and the east bank is the rolling hills, which form a sharp contrast and give people a unique feeling.
C. Sayram Lake (赛里木湖)
Sayram Lake is located 120 km north of Yining and 90 km west of Bole, near the border to Kasakhstan. It is an excellent spot to get a taste of the Tian Shan Mountain. It is the largest and the highest alpine lake in Xinjiang. It is known by many names, like Nation Scenic Spot, National Historical Site, A Pearl of the Ancient Silk Road, etc. It is most attractive with its breathtaking scenery, including dazzling sapphire-like lake, verdant forests, snow-capped peaks, thriving grassland, and most charming wild flowers in late spring to early autumn. The lake is especially colorful in June and July, when the alpine flowers are in full bloom.
Spectacular photos of the Sayram Lake can be found at:
D, An Unexpected Roadside Lunch
Today because of some unexpected delay in trying to reach our next destination, we missed trying to reach our intended place for lunch. So we had to find a roadside place for lunch. We saw some roadside workers/people; so we askedthem. One of themtold us his family has a nearby place that offers lunch. Since that place is very nearby, he led us to his family’s nearby lunch site. And we had a quick lunch there, with him helping his family to serve us. This was unplanned and everything just happened unexpectedly. This is contrary to often reports by western media coverage for people being monitored and watched which was completely unfounded during our two-week trip in Xinjiang.
Unexpected roadside lunch.
On 10/21, a subgroup of us ended their tour of Xinjiang and in the morning flew from Yining to Urumqi and then flew from Urumqi to Shenzhen to Hong Kong, while the rest of the group flew in the afternoon from Yining to Sache and continue our exploration of Xinjiang.
E. Large Man-made Lake Built on Top of a Natural Lake (Baisha White Sand Mountain/Lake)
Baisha White Sand Mountain/Lake is located about 200 kilometers from the urban area of Kashgar. The Mountain and the Baisha White Sand Lake are located in the Karakoram Mountains at an altitude of about 3,300 meters. Due to the long-term weathering here, the rocks on the top is sanded into powder, pouring down from the top, covering the mountain, so it is called White Sand Mountain.
Here is a short description of the Baisha White Sand Lake:
https://chinaexploration.com/TopAttractions/xinjiang-attractions/Baisha-White-Sand-Lake.html
The 3,300 meter lake is a man-made lake sitting on top of a smaller natural lake. This lake can freeze during the winter.
F. Lin Zexu (林则徐) Memorial Hall in Yili
It is great that we visited a museum in Yili (or Yining) with information on Lin Zexu (林则徐), who was a pioneer Chinese political leader who was one of the earliest Chinese political leaders who pointed out and protested against the Opium War. The British would sell opium to the Chinese people and got so many Chinese people addicted and became dis-functional. When he burned the opium in a British ship in a southern Chinese harbor, the British protested and demanded compensation. As a result, the weak Ching government removed Viceroy Lin Zexu from his post. Later he was sent to a much lower post in Xinjiang, where he continued to serve the Chinese people.
I am glad that the Chinese government later would recognize and honor him for his foresight and courage; so that Chinese people and the world would appreciate his contributions.
Photos and description of the Lin Zexu (林则徐) Memorial Hall in Yili can be found at:
G. View on Xinjiang’s Economic and Financial Resources
Xinjiang is rich in natural resources.
Xinjiang has a lot of solar energy. You can see major solar panels on the fields next to the highways. We often saw large solar panels being driven in trucks driving next to our bus while we were on the highways. We also saw large cotton fields next to the highways.
Solar panels.
Cotton fields.
Xinjiang is the leading producer of cotton in China, accounting for about 20% of the world’s cotton production and 80% of China’s domestic cotton production.
Xinjiang also grows a lot of fruits and vegetables. We saw a lot of grapes, vegetables and fruits on various fields next to the highways or on the sides of highways after they have been cut and waiting to be picked up on the sides of roads and highways.
Carton balls. Veg in bags. Veg on roadside.
Tarim Basin, a major natural gas source in northwest China’s Xinjiang, has seen vigorous development with 12 new gas wells being put into operation in Tarim Oilfield since the beginning of 2024, elevating the gas supply capability in southern Xinjiang. With the establishment of Bozi natural gas processing plant in the southern parts of the Tian Shan mountains, the gas-bearing area is able to process over 30 million cubic meters of natural gas. The area has proven oil and gas reserves reaching 3.5 billion tons of oil equivalent and has a total gas output of over 400 billion cubic meters. Oil and gas exploration and production have driven high-quality socio-economic development in Xinjiang and have also helped ensure China’s energy security.
Although it has only about one-third of the world’s rare earth reserves, China now accounts for 60% of global rare earth mined production, 85% of rare earth processing capacity, and over 90% of high-strength rare earth permanent magnets manufactured.
Rare earth elements form an integral part of the modern global economy. Rare earth elements play a critical role in developing new industries such as wind power generation, fuel cells, hydrogen storage and rechargeable batteries, as well as the permanent magnets used in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles.
They are also used as phosphors in many consumer displays and lighting systems and are vital for many defense technologies, including precision-guided munitions, targeting lasers, communications systems, airframes and aerospace engines, radar systems, optical equipment, sonar, and electronic counter measures.
Of the 17 rare earth elements, neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium are especially in demand, given their use in permanent magnets for electric vehicles and wind turbines.
Demand for rare earth elements has been increasing rapidly in recent years. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the global output of rare earth elements in 2021 was about 280,000 metric tons, more than doubling the global output five years ago in 2016, and was five times the amount produced thirty years ago. From 1994 to 2008, China’s share of the global output rose from 47% to 97%.
See Ref. 7 for a summary of Xinjiang or China’s rare earth element consolidation and power.
H. Comment on Foreign Reports on Xinjiang
There are many foreign reports on Xinjiang. Unfortunately, most of them are false and purposely fabricated by foreign countries (including the U.S.) who are purposedly trying to be critical of China.
In my September 2024 issue of my website (dontow.com), I mentioned the UN’s Special Rapporteur Professor Alena Douhan recently just finished a 12-day visit to Xinjiang and concluded that numerous reports on the unilateral sanctions’ adverse impact and the consequent socio-economic implications affecting people’ lives.
As a matter of fact, the UN rapporteur just declared on 9/13/2024 that all US, EU, British and Canadian sanctions on China over its human rights abuses constitute illegal “unilateral coercive measures” under international law.
I. Three Additional comments
I like to offer 3 smaller comments:
- Comment on China’s Hotels: Many of China’s hotels have many light switches controlling various lights. I find them difficult to figure out their purposes. I believe that they can be better defined and can simplify the cost of implementation and operation. I often find it difficult to determine the light switch that can be left on at night to help me find the visible path to the bathroom. As a matter of fact, I believe a small night light can easily serve that purpose, and it could save a lot of money in designing, installing, and operation. I think an interior designer can make a better and less expensive design of many of these hotels.
- Comment on our Main Tour Guide: Our main tour guide does a wonderful job in providing us information on the places that we will be visiting. One comment I have for him is that he will often give us the description in Chinese, but then would not provide the English translation for the several non-Chinese members of our group. He thinks that his Chinese is not very good. In my opinion, his English is good enough, and he can give it a try. If necessary. the local guide‘s English is pretty good and the local guide or Al Kwok (our main trip organizer) can provide the English translation.
- Xinjiang’s website does not provide easy to find information on the location and description of the places we visited. Providing such information on the locality and description of the local sites of visit would save us a lot of time trying to figure out where did we just visited.
References
[1] Ancient China Greatest Water System Karez: https://www.chinaexploration.com/TopAttractions/xinjiang-attractions/karez-kan-er-well.html.html.
[2] Anjihai Grand Canyon: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=anijiu+Sea+Canyon#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:70bb4ada,vid:ktKBWLtsiio,st:0
[3] Sayram Lake (赛里木湖): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayram_Lake.
[4] White Sand Mountain Lake: https://www.chinaexploration.com/TopAttractions/xinjiang-attractions/Baisha-White-Sand-Lake.html
5] Lin Zexu (林则徐) Memorial Hall in Yil (or Yining): https://www.xinjiangtravel.org/yili/attraction/the-lin-zexu-museum.html
[6] World’s Biggest Solar Farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrNTu1tIjGI
[7] China’s Rare Earth Metals Consolidation and Power: https://www.fpri.org/article/2022/03/chinas-rare-earth-metals-consolidation-and-market-power/
[8] UN expert says unilateral sanctions must not be used as foreign policy tool and means of economic coercion: https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/05/china-un-expert-says-unilateral-sanctions-must-not-be-used-foreign-policy
