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Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which covers 1/6 of China. The first step in the journey to discover the hidden secrets of this vast land starts at the spectacular Dushanzidasha Valley (独山子大峡谷), which was carved by the river flowing from the Tianshan Mountains. There are many ways to enjoy the canyon, from the glass bridge that provides a clear view of the cliff bottom to the precariously swaying Suspension Bridge. After exiting the canyon, we head to Tianshan Tianchi (天山天池). Located at the northern foot of Bogdafeng (博格达峰), one of the main peaks of the Tianshan Mountains, at an elevation of over 1,900m, this lake is viewed at a glance from the observation deck. The moment you board the cruise ship, snowflakes will fall. The spruce forest, the snow piled up on it, and the calm lake are reminiscent of a sumi-e painting. Turpan (吐鲁番, Toruban), located east of the Tianshan Mountains, is considered one of the driest regions in China. The average annual rainfall is about 16mm, while evaporation is about 3,000mm. The hottest place here is the Flame Mountain Scenic Area (火焰山风景区, Flaming Mountain Scenic Area), the setting for Journey to the West. The temperature in the summer rises above 40℃, and the red sandstone looks like flames when exposed to light. What is the secret of people being able to settle in this barren land? It is thanks to the Kan'erjing (坎儿井, Gan'erjing), an underground water well that brings water from the Tianshan Mountains to Turpan. With a total length of 5,000km, Kan'erjing is considered one of the three greatest works of China, following the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. This man-made waterway has turned Turpan into a city of grapes. We will taste green raisins, called "green jewels," in the drying warehouses lined up in Putaogoufengjingqu (Grape Valley Scenic Area), and end our journey by enjoying a Uyghur wedding ceremony in Majiacun (麻扎村), an old Uyghur village made of clay located in the Tuyogou Dasha Valley (吐峪沟大峡谷) on the slopes of Mount Huayan. #WorldThemeTravel#XinjiangUyghur#GoingToTheWesternRegions#DushanZiGrandCanyon#TianshanTianzi#Turpan#FlamingShanScenicArea#Kan'erZhengFolkPark#GrapeValleyScenicArea#MaZhaCun