8 | Monday, May 3, 2021 HONG KONG EDITION | CHINA DAILY IMAGE Xinjiang exudes its rich cultural wealth Shepherds herd livestock on the Banlange grassland in Qira county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Sept 10, 2015. PHOTOS BY SHANG CHANGPING / FOR CHINA DAILY he Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is than 20 years exploring and filming different places China’s westernmost area and spans over in Xinjiang, such as the Taklamakan Desert, the Kun- 1.6 million square kilometers and occupy- lun Mountains and the Tarim Basin to understand ing one sixth of the country’s total territory. the local inhabitants and villages. After many years, TWith its distinct geographic features of mountains he still cherishes a bouquet of cotton flowers given to and basins, there are 47 different ethnic groups and him by a local Uygur woman. more than 25 million people living in Xinjiang. Thanks to the advancement of infrastructure, irri- Many Chinese historical anecdotes and legends gation systems, social services and other aspects, dif- took place in the land which has formed long and ferent areas in Xinjiang have witnessed great profound traditions in poetry and literature, leav- improvements in people’s livelihoods. ing behind plentiful cultural relics. As a photographer, Shang Changping spent more - CHINA DAILY Above clockwise from left: A farmer dries red dates in Qira county of Hotan city, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Oct 16, 2015. A newly-built road for the village of Yulong Kerr village traverses the Kunlun Mountains, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Sept 3, 2015. Inheritors of Daolang Muqam intangible cultural heritage hold musical performance in Makit county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Sept 15, 2019. Children feed pigeons in a square in front of a mosque in the city of Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Aug 25, 2018. Above from left to right: A child says hello to tourists in Karakax county of Hotan city, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on April 26, 2016. Students hold balloons for outing in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Aug 30, 2019. The old city of Kashgar can be seen to preserve essential parts of Uygur folk culture, customs, architecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Aug 8, 2018. .