Expat Eyes | "Xinjiang is a treasure chest"

In Xinjiang, you'll find lamb skewers longer than your thighs; breathtaking views of the Kunlun Mountain; and lively folk dances you can join anytime, anywhere. Before I came, I didn't realize that dancing is a cherished part of daily life here. After I arrived, I discovered that everyone here greets you with warmth and genuine smiles.

On the night market at Hetian Second Street, barbecue smoke mingled with the crowds. The street was so packed you could barely move. There were both foreigners and local residents. To me, everything felt joyful and lively. That moment really stuck with me — as did the smell of barbecue smoke.

I remember a museum guide from the Tajik ethnic group. She worked at an equestrian museum. At first, I naturally assumed she was Uygur, but she told me she was actually Tajik, from a region far from Hotan. She spoke fluent Chinese, and I believe she also knew some English. If you have a keen eye and talk to people a little, you'll notice the rich diversity among people.

I've observed the interactions between different ethnic minority groups. I think of the pomegranate — as everyone knows, it symbolizes Xinjiang. I even took a playful photo of a pomegranate-themed statue. People often say that like the seeds of a pomegranate, the ethnic groups in Xinjiang live together in unity and harmony. I once remarked, "People here are as sweet and closely knit as pomegranate seeds." That’s a fitting metaphor—I believe it captures the spirit beautifully.

I think the best part of Xinjiang is this: diverse communities coexist peacefully, lead joyful lives, and proudly identify simply as Chinese. So what's happening here in Xinjiang is truly beautiful.

Speaking of surprising things, a friend once said that what we had experienced was just "appetizers." Then she asked if there was any specific moment that made us want to scream, "Oh my god, this is Xinjiang!" For me, there are too many things in Xinjiang that make me want to scream — the nature, the dances, the food — everything amazes me.

I remember visiting the Kunlun Mountains. The landscape is amazing. Everywhere you look, you just keep going for days and days. Don't be fooled into thinking you can get there in ten minutes — no, it takes half a day. But it's beautiful, and every minute of the journey is worth it.

Beyond the landscape and the food, what is the soul of Xinjiang? It’s the dances, the songs, and the vibrant spirit of the local people. I once said, "It's amazing."— and I keep saying it, because sometimes I feel as if I’m walking through a film. Is this a movie set or something?" People truly live in their own world and they are really happy.

The best thing is, once you come here, it doesn't even matter if you're a foreigner — you become part of it. There is a strong sense of unity here. I always feel like I belong.

I always tell people that I don't really like leaving China, because there's so much variety here. Really, whatever you're looking for, they have it here. For me, Xinjiang is like that too. There's so much variety just in this one region. I think there's enough here to explore for years on end.

So maybe I would say, "Xinjiang is like a treasure chest." You never know what you'll find when you open it next. It might be a rice paddy on the edge of the desert, a glacier-covered grassland, a newly learned "yahxi," or a group of children pulling you into a game of football.

James is a British content creator.

Producer: Xiao Chunfei

Supervisors: Ding Tao and Jie Wenjin

Planners: Jie Wenjin and Cheng Li

Reviewers: Gvlzar Mijit and Hou Weili

Editor: Jia Shaoqi