Xinjiang fan Josh Summers' ultimate travel guide to the region
Texan who's lived in China's far west since 2006 has produced the first guide to getting around Xinjiang
Xinjiang is China's largest administrative region. Bustling bazaars, the highest paved international highway in the world (the Karakoram) and the mainland's only wild camel reserve make this desert land prime wanderlust territory.
And yet so few people do visit China's "north-western restive region". Just 30 pages of the Lonely Planet's China volume are dedicated to it, while the Odyssey guide focuses on the region's (fascinating) ancient Silk Road history.
"For scenery, driving along the Karakoram Highway is one of the most memorable experiences a traveller can have. You pass majestic mountains and gorgeous bodies of water, and can stay the night in a yurt."
Other highlights include Turpan, which, at 154 metres below sea level, is dubbed China's Death Valley; the Uygur city of Kashgar, home to the largest mosque in China; and the Taklamakan Desert, where a series of Uygur towns were once a vibrant corridor of the ancient Silk Road.
The book features travel itineraries, hotel recommendations and maps; addresses are written in English, Putonghua and pinyin.
See also: dry prose mars valuable summary of Xinjiang's plight
But is travelling to this region safe?
"Xinjiang is no more dangerous than anywhere else in China," says Summers. "The majority of incidents that scare travellers happen in small townships far from any tourism. To my knowledge, no traveller has been injured as a result of the ethnic conflict that has made headlines worldwide."
Jenni Marsh
