Xinjiang Uyghur

Gateway to Central Asia and Home of Diverse Civilizations

Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区) is the largest first-level administrative division of China by area, located in the far northwest, bordering 8 countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Mongolia, and Russia. Known for its ethnic diversity, ancient Silk Road cities, and strategic importance, Xinjiang is rich in natural resources, cultural heritage, and geopolitical relevance.

Formation and Historical Background

  • “Xinjiang” means “New Frontier”, a name given during the Qing Dynasty after the region was annexed in the 18th century.
  • Historically part of several ancient kingdoms: Dzungar, Khotan, Yarkand, and Qocho.
  • Central to the Silk Road, connecting China with Central Asia, Persia, and Europe.
  • In 1955, officially designated as an autonomous region for the Uyghur ethnic group, one of China’s 55 recognized minorities.
  • A key part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and gateway to Eurasia.

Administrative Information

AttributeDetails
Autonomous Region NameXinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区)
CapitalÜrümqi (乌鲁木齐市)
LocationNorthwestern China
Total AreaApprox. 1.66 million sq. km
PopulationApprox. 26 million (2024 est.)
Time ZoneChina Standard Time (UTC+8), local time used informally
Abbreviation新 (Xīn)
ISO CodeCN-65

Government and Leadership

PositionCurrent Officeholder (as of 2024)
Party SecretaryMa Xingrui (马兴瑞)
Chairman (Governor)Erkin Tuniyaz (艾尔肯·吐尼亚孜)
Legislative BodyXinjiang People’s Congress
Administrative BodyXinjiang Uyghur People’s Government

Administrative Divisions of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

Xinjiang is composed of 14 prefecture-level divisions, including 4 prefecture-level cities, 5 autonomous prefectures, 5 prefectures, and 2 sub-provincial cities (Ürümqi and Karamay).

1. Ürümqi (乌鲁木齐市) – Capital

  • Districts: Tianshan (天山区), Shayibak (沙依巴克区), Xinshi (新市区), Toutunhe (头屯河区), Shuimogou (水磨沟区), Midong (米东区)
  • County: Ürümqi County (乌鲁木齐县)

2. Karamay (克拉玛依市)

  • Districts: Karamay (克拉玛依区), Dushanzi (独山子区), Baijiantan (白碱滩区), Urho (乌尔禾区)

3. Turpan (吐鲁番市)

  • District: Gaochang (高昌区)
  • Counties: Shanshan (鄯善县), Toksun (托克逊县)

4. Hami (哈密市)

  • District: Yizhou (伊州区)
  • Counties: Balikun Kazakh Autonomous County (巴里坤哈萨克自治县), Yiwu (伊吾县)

5. Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture (昌吉回族自治州)

  • County-level Cities: Changji (昌吉市), Fukang (阜康市)
  • Counties: Jimsar (吉木萨尔县), Qitai (奇台县), Manas (玛纳斯县), Hutubi (呼图壁县), Mulei Kazakh Autonomous County (木垒哈萨克自治县)

6. Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture (博尔塔拉蒙古自治州)

  • County-level Cities: Bole (博乐市), Alashankou (阿拉山口市)
  • County: Wenquan (温泉县)

7. Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture (巴音郭楞蒙古自治州)

  • County-level City: Korla (库尔勒市)
  • Counties: Luntai (轮台县), Yuli (尉犁县), Ruoqiang (若羌县), Qiemo (且末县), Hejing (和静县), Heshuo (和硕县), Bohu (博湖县)

8. Aksu Prefecture (阿克苏地区)

  • County-level City: Aksu (阿克苏市)
  • Counties: Wensu (温宿县), Kuqa (库车市), Xayar (沙雅县), Xinhe (新和县), Baicheng (拜城县), Awat (阿瓦提县), Wushi (乌什县)

9. Kashgar Prefecture (喀什地区)

  • County-level City: Kashgar (喀什市)
  • Counties: Shufu (疏附县), Shule (疏勒县), Yingjisha (英吉沙县), Zepu (泽普县), Shache (莎车县), Yengisar (英吉沙县), Yarkant (叶城县), Poskam (伽师县), Makit (麦盖提县), Yecheng (叶城县), Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County (塔什库尔干塔吉克自治县)

10. Hotan Prefecture (和田地区)

  • County-level City: Hotan (和田市)
  • Counties: Hotan County (和田县), Moyu (墨玉县), Pishan (皮山县), Luopu (洛浦县), Karakax (策勒县), Yutian (于田县), Minfeng (民丰县)

11. Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture (克孜勒苏柯尔克孜自治州)

  • County-level City: Artux (阿图什市)
  • Counties: Akqi (阿克陶县), Akto (阿合奇县), Wuqia (乌恰县)

12. Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture (伊犁哈萨克自治州)

  • County-level Cities: Yining (伊宁市), Kuitun (奎屯市), Khorgos (霍尔果斯市)
  • Counties: Nileke (尼勒克县), Yining County (伊宁县), Xinyuan (新源县), Zhaosu (昭苏县), Tekes (特克斯县), Gongliu (巩留县), Huocheng (霍城县), Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County (察布查尔锡伯自治县)

13. Tacheng Prefecture (塔城地区)

  • County-level Cities: Tacheng (塔城市), Wusu (乌苏市)
  • Counties: Emin (额敏县), Yumin (裕民县), Shawan (沙湾市), Toli (托里县), Hebukesaier Mongol Autonomous County (和布克赛尔蒙古自治县)

14. Altay Prefecture (阿勒泰地区)

  • County-level City: Altay (阿勒泰市)
  • Counties: Burqin (布尔津县), Habahe (哈巴河县), Jimunai (吉木乃县), Qinghe (青河县), Fuhai (福海县), Fuyun (富蕴县)

Local Government Structure

  • The Xinjiang Uyghur People’s Government is based in Ürümqi.
  • Autonomous prefectures and counties have additional representation from Uyghur, Kazakh, Kirghiz, and other ethnic minorities.
  • Local governments oversee religious affairs, bilingual education, and development policies under regional and national law.

Leadership & Governance

  • Governance emphasizes:
    • Ethnic unity and regional development
    • Counter-terrorism and social stability
    • Integration with Belt and Road routes through Central Asia
  • Special policies for:
    • Agricultural modernization in southern Xinjiang
    • Urbanization in the north
    • Employment programs and poverty alleviation

Law Enforcement & Safety

  • Oversight by the Xinjiang Public Security Department
  • Special zones for:
    • Border protection and counter-extremism
    • Disaster response (earthquakes, sandstorms)
    • Surveillance and emergency coordination
  • Emergency Numbers:
    • 110 – Police
    • 119 – Fire
    • 120 – Ambulance

Economy & Industry

  • Major sectors:
    • Energy: oil, gas, solar, wind (Karamay is a major oil city)
    • Agriculture: cotton, fruit (grapes, melons), livestock
    • Textiles, construction materials, mining
  • Strategic growth in:
    • Logistics hubs and dry ports (Khorgos, Alashankou)
    • Tourism and e-commerce
  • GDP Growth (2023): Approx. 5.4%

Education & Institutions

  • Leading Universities:
    • Xinjiang University (Ürümqi)
    • Xinjiang Medical University
    • Xinjiang Normal University
  • Focus areas:
    • Bilingual education
    • Central Asian language studies
    • Ethnic and Islamic cultural research

Healthcare

  • Major Hospitals:
    • Xinjiang Medical University First Hospital
    • Ürümqi Friendship Hospital
    • Karamay People’s Hospital
  • Outreach:
    • Mobile medical units in desert and rural regions
    • Multilingual services for Uyghur, Kazakh, Hui communities

Transport & Connectivity

  • Airports:
    • Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport
    • Kashgar, Hotan, Korla, Yining airports
  • Railways:
    • Lanzhou–Xinjiang HSR, Southern Xinjiang Line
    • China–Europe freight routes via Khorgos and Alashankou
  • Roads link to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan (via CPEC)

Tourism & Attractions

  • Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, Flaming Mountains, Taklamakan Desert
  • Kashgar Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, Apak Hoja Tomb
  • Turpan Grape Valley, Karez Wells, Ancient City of Gaochang
  • Unique experiences: camel treks, Uyghur music, desert camps

Culture & Lifestyle

  • Ethnic mosaic of Uyghur, Kazakh, Hui, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Xibe, and Han
  • Uyghur culture:
    • Dance (Sama), music (Dutar, Rawap), carpet weaving
    • Festivals: Corban Festival (Eid al-Adha), Nowruz, Meshrep gatherings
  • Food: polo (rice pilaf), lamb skewers, naan, Uyghur hand-pulled noodles
  • Markets: bazaars, spice lanes, local crafts

Summary

Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is where East meets Central Asia — a vast land of deserts and mountains, oases and silk routes, diversity and dynamism. From ancient trading towns to modern infrastructure corridors, Xinjiang stands at the crossroads of history, energy, and cultural fusion.