subject: Top Cities in Xinjiang Province [print this page] Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region covers over 1,600,000 square kilometers (617,763 square miles), one-sixth of China's total territory, making it China's largest province. Xinjiang borders Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Uzbekistan, Tadzhikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. With a population of over 19 million, Xinjiang is home to 47 ethnic groups including the Uygur, the major ethnic group in Xinjiang.
1. Urumqi
Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the most 'inland' city in the world. With a population of two million gaily-dressed ethnic inhabitants, the city is likened to a piece of emerald embedded at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. It lies in the lofty ice-capped Bogda Peak and vast Salt Lake in the east; in the rolling pine-covered Southern hill, a well-known scenic district, in the south; and in the alternating fields and sand dunes of Zunggar Basin in the northwest.
2. Hetian
used to be the place where the states of Pishan, Yutian, Yumi, Qule, Jingjue and Shulu were established; in 1883, was established as a prefecture to be supervised directly by the court; in 1920, was changed to a prefecture
3. Changji
China's central government of the day extended its sphere of influence to Changji with the establishment of the Protectorate of the West Region (Xiyu Duhufu) in 60BC during the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD). In 1884, a province was set up to administrate Xinjiang, and the Changji region belonged to Dihua Fu.
4. Turpan
Turpan is an old city with a long history. Traces have been found of humans living there, dating as far back as 6,000 years ago. The city was known as Gushi in the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD); and in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it got its name Turpan. Turpan means 'the lowest place' in the Uygur language and 'the fertile land' in Turki. Lying in the Turpan Basin, the elevation of most of the places in the area is below 500 meters (1,640 feet). Turpan is the city with the lowest elevation in China.
5. Kumul
History: KumulPrefecture was called Yiwu throughout the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), and Yizhou during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is believed that the county was initially established in the year 327, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. After the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it gained its present name - Hami, also Kumul. Physical Features: Kumul has elevated terrain in its center and lower terrain to the north and south. The Eastern Tianshan Mountains are located in the northern portion of Kumul, while deserts comprise the eastern and western regions. The central land is made up of a flourishing oasis. The Tianshan Mountains traverse the region and divide Kumul into its southern oasis and northern river valley and prairie.
