Anyone claiming they've seen all of China likely skipped Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. CGTN Digital's Nadim Diab set out on a two-week road trip to put that belief to the test—tracing threads of history, myth and natural wonder across one of the world's most sweeping frontiers.
His route opened up three distinct worlds: the Silk Road city of Kashi, where centuries-old lanes still hum with stories of jade traders; the fiery mountains of Tulufan, immortalized by the Monkey King's legendary westward quest; and the lush grasslands of Zhaosu County, where the fabled Heavenly Horses once roamed.
At each stop, Nadim discovered traditions preserved in remote villages, regional flavors found nowhere else, and landscapes that reshape your view of space and time. But as awe set in, a single hurdle emerged: navigating the immense distances between these gems. Long stretches of highway and sparse services tested both stamina and planning—making logistics the trip's surreptitious challenge.
In the end, it was this very scale that proved most rewarding. Every mile traveled deepened the sense of adventure and unlocked moments few ever witness. For young global citizens and digital nomads dreaming of off-the-beaten-path horizons, Xinjiang's raw expanses promise epic stories—and one logistical lesson you won't forget.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
