As an Iranian girl with a deep love for culture, heritage, and the warmth of people, I never imagined that thousands of kilometers away, in the far reaches of northwestern China, I would find a place that felt so much like home. My journey through the cities of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region—Urumqi, Aksu, Altay, and Kashi—was more than just a trip; it was a soulful reconnection with the familiar threads of my own identity.

First Impressions in Urumqi

Arriving in Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, I was immediately struck by the vibrant energy of the city. The streets buzzed with life, and the scent of spices lingered in the air, reminding me of the bustling bazaars back in Tehran and Isfahan. The rhythm of Urumqi felt both new and comfortingly familiar. It was in the people's eyes, their warm hospitality, their shared love for tea, and their poetic, musical language that I saw echoes of home.

Aksu: A Place of Quiet Magic

Traveling to Aksu was like entering a living painting. The desert landscape and the simple life of the people reminded me of small Iranian towns where tradition lives on quietly yet powerfully. Walking through the local markets, I found handmade goods, dried fruits, and spices that were similar to those in Iran.

Altay: Snowy Mountains, Warm Hearts

In Altay, I was amazed by the natural beauty—the snow-covered peaks and the cold, crisp air—and yet, it wasn’t the landscape alone that touched me. It was the people’s kindness, their strong connection to their heritage, and the soulful music that sounded like it could have been played on a Persian tar or Satar. Even the food—meat dishes seasoned with cumin and chili—tasted like something from a northern Iranian kitchen.

Kashi: A Cultural Bridge Between Worlds

Kashi was a dream. It felt like I had stepped into history, where East meets West in harmony. The narrow alleys of the old city, the scent of grilled lamb, the mosques with turquoise domes—everything transported me to the cities of Yazd and Shiraz. I spent hours wandering through the Sunday Bazaar, amazed by how similar it was to the Grand Bazaar of Tabriz. The local people's customs, hospitality, music, and dance felt so close to Iranian culture that I couldn’t help but feel a deep emotional connection.

Traveling through Xinjiang has been a beautiful and unexpected revelation. I came to Xinjiang out of curiosity, but I left with a heart full of love. These cities—Urumqi, Aksu, Altay, and Kashi—will always feel like a second home. And I hope more people, especially those from Iran, get to see how familiar and soul-touching this part of the world can be.

Mahya Mirsadeghi is an Iranian content creator and is currently studying in Beijing, China.

Producer: Xiao Chunfei

Supervisors: Ding Tao and Jie Wenjin

Planners: Jie Wenjin and Cheng Li

Reviewers: Wang Xiabing and Hou Weili

Editors: Gvlzar Mijit and Marziya Nurshat