How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 8 Yining)

Yining, Ili, Xinjiang. Visited 29 June – 1 July 2024

I arrived in Yining, the capital of Ili State, Xinjiang, after exploring the grasslands of Nalati and Kuerdening.

I took the opportunity to take in more of the Xinjiang and Uyghur cultures. This is a city of the Hans, the Uyghurs, as well as other minority groups. Many restaurants serve ethnic Chinese and Uyghur cuisines. BBQ skewers of mutton and beef are ubiquitous and enjoyed by Chinese and ethnic minorities alike. I saw Han Chinese enjoyed these kebabs as much as the Uyghur, washed down with beer. Rice, noodles, and the local naan bread are the daily staples. Eating it right out of the inside of the earthen oven is a heavenly treat. I went back to ancestral times, to enjoy the most basic and traditional of breakfasts – black rice porridge, corn, steamed dumpling (bao), steamed sweet potato, and soya milk, served in restaurants run by the Hui and Han Chinese. I skipped the wide range of greasy Chinese fried dough and pancakes on offer, determined to live longer than my ancestors. Local fresh fruits are the best. They are sweet and juicy, whether they are grown by the Han Chinese or others.

At the guesthouses, shops, and restaurants, I would be served by a Chinese or a Uyghur. I would be as likely to be security-checked at the train or bus stations, assisted and guided on the street by a Chinese or Uyghur police. They look different, but they behave almost the same. I am an unmitigated Han Chinese, but I feel lost and confused, sometimes.  

Basic traditional Chinese breakfast - black rice porridge, soya milk, steamed dumpling and boiled egg
Basic traditional Chinese breakfast – black rice porridge, soya milk, steamed dumpling and boiled egg
Liu Xin Street, a Yining recreation area
Liu Xin Street, a Yining recreation area
Ili River promenade
Ili River promenade
Han Ren Street Market
Han Ren Street Market

The Kazanqi old district in the city showcases the traditions and customs of the Uyghurs. The houses were characterized by blue and white. At the entrance to the site, the historic Shaanxi Mosque welcomes visitors. This was the first time that I saw a mosque that looked more like a Chinese temple. Almost around the corner was Han Ren Street (Han People’s Street). I walked into the bazaar and Han’s food court and was greeted by mostly Uyghurs. I enjoyed being in a place where, for a moment, I doubted I was Chinese.

Shaanxi Mosque
Shaanxi Mosque
A converted old Kazanqi house
A converted old Kazanqi house
Han Ren Street Park
Han Ren Street Park
Vine in some Kazanqi old houses
Vine in some Kazanqi old houses

To go to the next Stop, click the link below:

How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 9 Sailimu Lake)

To start from Stop 1, click the link below:

How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 1 Urumqi)

The route map of this Trip:

The route map

The Stops on this Trip:

China Urumqi > Turpan > Kuerle > Kuqa > Kashgar > Kuqa > Nalati (via Duku Scenic Drive) > Kuerdening > Yining > Sailimu Lake > Yining > Urumqi > Buerjin > Kanas Lake > Hemu > China Urumqi > Krygyzstan Bishkek > Bokonbayevo (Issyk kul Lake) > Karakol > Krygyzstan Bishkek > Ubezkistan Tashkent > Tajikistan > Khujand > Panjakent (and Haft Kul/The Seven Lakes) > Iskanderkul > Dushanbe > China Urumqi > Hami > Dunhuang > Jiayuguan > Zhangye > Lanzhou > Xian

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