FOREWORD
IN CHINA, a witty saying goes: “If you haven’t been to Xinjiang, you haven’t truly been to China; if you haven’t been to Kashgar, you haven’t truly been to Xinjiang.” While we can’t measure how much travellers agree with this statement, it underscores the fact Kashgar is an important tourist destination in China.
Our decision to explore Southern Xinjiang was primarily driven by the desire to experience its breath-taking natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
The 10-day journey from Kashgar to Urumqi exposed us to the multifaceted charm of Southern Xinjiang. We traversed eastern Pamir Plateau along the China-Pakistan-Tajikistan border; passed through ancient oasis towns like Shache, Hotan, Aral, Aksu and Korla; crossed dried-up river beds in the Tarim Basin; ventured into the mysterious Wensu Grand Canyon and the ancient Buddhist grottoes of Kizil; and marveled at the vibrant Taklamakan Desert and flaming Tarim Poplar Forest. This extensive overland trip covered over 5,000 kilometers, culminating in crossing the Tianshan Mountains and finally reaching Urumqi.
Journeying through this vast land allowed us to witness Xinjiang’s rapid development synchronised with other regions of China. Newly constructed highways connect desert cities; wireless networks span the plateaus and the interior of the desert; colossal trucks transport huge, automated cotton harvester vehicles along desert highways; cashless transactions have become the norm in bazaars; and expansive solar panels and towering wind turbines extend to far beyond along the highways to Urumqi.
Extensive orchards and farmlands run alongside lands run alongside much of the different topographical regions we passed through. People here fully utilise Xinjiang’s continental arid climate and fertile soil, producing a variety of agricultural crops such as cotton, chilis, tomatoes, apples, pears, pomegranates, grapes, nuts, and dates for export.
Tourists from all over China flock to Xinjiang, drawn by its rich culture, natural landscape and welcoming residents. Interacting with friendly Uyghur and Tajik folks, we enjoyed expressive conversations and witnessed their spontaneity in the arts, music, and dance. The tourism industry not only contributes significantly to the local economy but also fosters the vibrant development of cultural activities. Each city has a well-equipped high-tech, digital museum to present its local history to visitors.
In the southern part of Xinjiang, residents have ample reasons to rejoice. Employment and entrepreneurial opportunities are abundant, noticeable by the almost absence of beggars and the homeless as we freely wandered and explored the streets and public places. Southern Xinjiang culture is rooted in multiculturalism, blending harmoniously the heritage of various ethnic groups – in their stylish architecture, vibrant music and dance, colourful attire, and delicious cuisines. It showcases a strong sense of unity in cultural diversity.
Indeed, diversity is what makes Xinjiang beautiful, what makes it thrive – despite harsh environmental conditions. This concordant mix is the outcome and product of subtle ingredients. Diversity with harmony can only thrive in the fertile soil of tolerance, understanding, rationality, camaraderie, magnanimity and above all, justice.
Through the photos we captured, we hope to convey the rich blend of diversity that makes Southern Xinjiang alluring, exceptionally beautiful, and as captivating as what its natural landscape offers.
网络上流行一句俏皮话： “如果你没有到过新疆，你就没有真正到过中国；如果你没有到过喀什，你就没有真正到过新疆。”虽然我们无法确认旅客是否认同这个说法，但它肯定了喀什是中国一个重要旅游目的地的事实。
而驱使我们决定探索南疆的动力是它美丽如画的自然风景和丰富的文化遗产。
在从喀什到乌鲁木齐的十天旅程里，我们的确多角度多层次地体验了南疆的魅力。我们走过了跨越中国-巴基斯坦-塔吉克斯坦边境的帕米尔高原，也游历了莎车、和田、阿拉尔、阿克苏和库尔勒等古老的绿洲城镇，更穿越了塔里木盆地的河谷和广袤的塔克拉玛干沙漠，进入了温宿大峡谷和神秘的克孜勒佛教洞窟，以及令人惊叹依旧生机勃勃的塔里木胡杨林，最后穿越天山山脉抵达乌鲁木齐。总路程超过了5000公里。
奔驰在这片辽阔土地的同时，我们目睹了新疆处处与中国其他地区同步迅速发展。新建的高速公路连接了各个沙漠城市；无线网络覆盖了高原地区和沙漠中心地带；路上，超大型运输卡车载着巨大的多用途采棉机穿行不断；电子支付在集市里更成为常态；而在通往乌鲁木齐的高速公路两旁，大面积的太阳能光伏板和高耸的风力发电机整齐排列一直延伸到远方。
公路两侧也都是宽广的果园和农田。当地人充分利用新疆的干旱气候和肥沃的土地，种植大量的棉花、辣椒、西红柿、苹果、梨、石榴、葡萄、坚果和枣等各类作物并出口到世界各国。
在与友善的维吾尔族和塔吉克族交流中，他们富有表达力的言谈令人惊叹，他们与生俱来的艺术、音乐和舞蹈天赋更令人折服。街头上，我们也看不到乞讨者或流浪汉，可见这里的就业和创业机会之足够，让我们可以安心轻松地在各处自由行走。兴旺的旅游业不仅对南疆的经济做出重要贡献，也同时促进当地文化活动的蓬勃发展。这里是多元文化的植根地，47个民族在这里和谐共处，他们通过时尚的建筑、活力四溢的音乐和舞蹈、色彩缤纷的服饰以及美味的食物展示了多元的统一。而每一座城市中的博物馆，更是通过高科技、数字化来向旅客讲述当地的历史。
南疆之美，美在多元。尽管地理条件恶劣，但依旧生机盎然，孕育了不同种族、文化、宗教信仰、建筑风格、地理特征和人文精神的多元发展 。历史证明，不同文化是可以和谐共存的。能够在多元中求同存异是一个社会发展的优势。当然，和谐共存也并非理所当然，它是综合许多良好社会条件的产物。只有具备了宽容、同理、理性、友爱和正义等素质的社会，多元和谐才能形成并茁壮成长。
我们希望通过所拍摄的照片向大家传达我们的感想，就是求同存异、融合多元的和谐使得南疆在历史长河中显得分外美丽又迷人。