When Anna was planning her first visit to Xinjiang in 2015, her friends were perplexed. They couldn't understand why I'd visit a place that back then was considered one of China's most dangerous areas. One of her friends pulled out of the trip, citing parental restrictions and fears of safety.
Anna proceeded with her journey to Xinjiang, and when she returned in June 2024, she noticed significant changes. Xinjiang was as beautiful as I remember it, but there are far too many tourists now, especially at the major attractions.
Xinjiang, located in China’s northwest, recently welcomed around 300 million visitors in 2024, a staggering increase from previous years. The region, once known for its ethnic tensions and extensive human rights abuses, is being repackaged as a picturesque tourist haven by the Chinese government. This transformation involves significant investments in infrastructure and media portrayals that highlight its scenic beauty and rich cultural experiences, while largely omitting the uncomfortable realities of oppression faced by the Uyghur population.
Beijing has been promoting this 'new' image, with reports indicating a growth in tourism revenue to around 360 billion yuan ($51 billion) as it strives for further increases in visitor numbers.
However, the reality is starkly different for many local residents, particularly the Uyghurs, whose lives under strict surveillance and accusations of forced assimilation paint a troubling picture against the backdrop of rapidly increasing tourism. Many tourists are surprised to find a heavy police presence and security measures in place, which can serve as reminders of the underlying tensions this region faces.
Travelers like Singaporean Sun Shengyao reflect on their experience, describing Xinjiang as an amalgamation of multiple breathtaking landscapes but expressing concerns regarding the lack of authentic engagement with local Uyghurs. Despite some positive experiences, others like Thenmoli Silvadorie feel disappointed by the limitations imposed on cultural interactions, noting restrictions on visits to mosques and the superficiality in cultural exchanges.
As domestic tourism flourishes and the region's natural beauty continues to attract visitors, activists remind this narrative is overshadowed by serious human rights concerns, urging tourists to navigate their experiences with awareness of the complex realities at play in Xinjiang.
Anna proceeded with her journey to Xinjiang, and when she returned in June 2024, she noticed significant changes. Xinjiang was as beautiful as I remember it, but there are far too many tourists now, especially at the major attractions.
Xinjiang, located in China’s northwest, recently welcomed around 300 million visitors in 2024, a staggering increase from previous years. The region, once known for its ethnic tensions and extensive human rights abuses, is being repackaged as a picturesque tourist haven by the Chinese government. This transformation involves significant investments in infrastructure and media portrayals that highlight its scenic beauty and rich cultural experiences, while largely omitting the uncomfortable realities of oppression faced by the Uyghur population.
Beijing has been promoting this 'new' image, with reports indicating a growth in tourism revenue to around 360 billion yuan ($51 billion) as it strives for further increases in visitor numbers.
However, the reality is starkly different for many local residents, particularly the Uyghurs, whose lives under strict surveillance and accusations of forced assimilation paint a troubling picture against the backdrop of rapidly increasing tourism. Many tourists are surprised to find a heavy police presence and security measures in place, which can serve as reminders of the underlying tensions this region faces.
Travelers like Singaporean Sun Shengyao reflect on their experience, describing Xinjiang as an amalgamation of multiple breathtaking landscapes but expressing concerns regarding the lack of authentic engagement with local Uyghurs. Despite some positive experiences, others like Thenmoli Silvadorie feel disappointed by the limitations imposed on cultural interactions, noting restrictions on visits to mosques and the superficiality in cultural exchanges.
As domestic tourism flourishes and the region's natural beauty continues to attract visitors, activists remind this narrative is overshadowed by serious human rights concerns, urging tourists to navigate their experiences with awareness of the complex realities at play in Xinjiang.
