(This is Part 1 of a three-part series on the author's recent extensive travels in Xinjiang, China's only predominantly Muslim province and his observations on where the Indo-China ties currently stand, independent of the Western view.)
The land of legends going back to the mists of time. Where the cultures and civilisations of China, India, Central Asia, and West Asia had a rendezvous centuries ago. Where many religions ─ Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Manichaeism, Nestorian Christianity, Islam ─ and numerous ethnicities ─ Uyghurs, Hans, Kazaks, Uzbeks, Tibetans, Huis, Pamiri Tajiks, Russians and Mongols ─ had an enriching confluence. Where the hot sands of the Taklamakan desert hide as many mysteries as the adjoining snowy peaks of the Tian Shan mountains. Where melons are the sweetest in the world, but sweeter still is the folk song-and-dance ensemble of the Twelve Muqam, recognised by UNESCO as a precious intangible heritage of humanity.
Xinjiang literally means 'New Frontier’. Not long ago, this westernmost and once most underdeveloped province of China seemed far away from Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other symbols of Chinese wealth and power.
However, now it is becoming a new frontier of prosperity not only for China but also for the vast neighbouring landmass of Central, West, and South Asia.