After stops in the bustling cities of Beijing and Shanghai, it felt as if I strayed into another world. The Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region was once a prospering transportation hub on the Silk Road, the important trade route between the East and the West in ancient times. In its heyday, it had a huge influence extending far beyond Eurasia. The remnants of past glory can still be found in the region's culture, which blends the cultural heritages of China, South Asia, West Asia and Central Asia. Today, the region is buzzing with a construction boom spurred by the Chinese government's development drive in the West to secure energy resources around Taklamakan Desert. It has become once again the place where the old meets the new and the East meets the West. Time flows slowly here. The Uigurs are proud and hospitable people who, even if they are poor, treat visitors like honored guests. I myself experienced such hospitality countless times. People loved their families and hometowns in such a touching way that I was moved to tears once. What fascinated me was old people's gentle faces lined with lovely wrinkles. There is something about the place that is reminiscent of the Japan half a century ago. I felt nostalgic about the good old days before Japan became such an uncaring society in its merciless pursuit of modernization and efficiency. When and where did Japan lose its innocence? I decided to continue my journey a little longer to find the answer. Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Population: ca 19mn Territory: approx. 1,650,000km² Capital: Ulmuchi Ethnic Groups: Uighur, Han, Kazakh, Hui etc. Languages: Uighur, Han, Kazakh, Mongolian, Kirghiz etc. Religion: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity etc.