Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region boasts breathtaking landscapes and a rich blend of diverse cultures.

In winter, the snow-capped Altai Mountains stretch in serene majesty, while Kanas Lake glistens beneath a pristine blanket of ice and snow. The villages of Hemu and Baihaba bustle with the warmth of everyday life. In Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, the Nang Culture Museum showcases how this traditional Silk Road flatbread feeds not just people but cultures near and far. Beneath the Gobi Desert in Karamay, petroleum has fueled the rise of a modern industrial city.

Follow the footsteps of China Daily journalist Erik Nilsson to discover Xinjiang's stunning winter scenery and vibrant heartbeat of local life.

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