Performance from the dance group group dance Nazirkum. The range of culture and dance in Xinjiang is mesmerising. Photo: The Star/Thean Lee Cheng
Xinjiang is quite special. Political and religious tension. Check. Tight security. Check. Diversity, Yes. Surprises, loads of that. Formally known as Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, much attention has fallen on the word “Uyghur” because of the religious and political tension there the last couple of years.
Xinjiang is more than just Uyghur territory. It is also home to some 50 ethnic groups, of which 10 are major groups. As a result, this largest administrative division of China is a potpourri of culture and diversity. It is this colourful mix, coupled with its wide spectrum of landscapes, from dusty desert trails to snow-capped peaks, which make this province unique. The Uyghurs and Kazakhs are two of the largest minority ethnic groups; some 68% of Xinjiang’s 23 million population is Muslim.
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