Urumqui (Wuloomqui) is a City of approx 2,500,000
Established 648 AD to collect taxes from the Silk Road Caravans entering and leaving the Empire.
Qing Dynasty 1644-1912 the Emperor Quianlong In 1755 ordered the mass extermination of all Dzungars estimated at 1,000,000 people. one writer described the resulting desolation in what is now northern Xinjiang as: "an empty plain for a thousand li, with no trace of man.
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| To the future of the region |
Qing Dynasty 1644-1912 the Emperor Quianlong In 1755 ordered the mass extermination of all Dzungars estimated at 1,000,000 people. one writer described the resulting desolation in what is now northern Xinjiang as: "an empty plain for a thousand li, with no trace of man.
State farms set up in 1759 with fertile pastures and plentiful water. It took generations to recover.
The city was called Dihua and is the capital of Xianjing province.
Following the founding of the Peoples Republic of China the ciity was renamed Urumqui.
The name means "beautiful pasture" in the Mongolian language of the Dzungar people.
The city was called Dihua and is the capital of Xianjing province.
Following the founding of the Peoples Republic of China the ciity was renamed Urumqui.
The name means "beautiful pasture" in the Mongolian language of the Dzungar people.
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| Highway out of Urumqui |
The city was the site of major rioting in July 2009 due to conflicts between Han and Uyghur ethnic groups in which nearly 200 people were left dead; most of the victims were Han-Chinese. SO it is said and reported.
Reports of extensive police retaliation against the Uyghur minority have circulated ever since, despite the Chinese government having shut down access to emails and overseas phone calls. I might add as well as all social interactive sites such as face book, twitter, linkdn and my blog, etc. source Wikipedia.
Citt has a keen interest in this area through her work with the UNDP in Russia and Kazakhstan and this finds us in the Institute of Art and Science talking with Professors about problems ethnic, ecological, social and geography of the area. The area has 14 ethnic groups discrimination in the work place and in every day life is evident and the areas around the International market place are dangerous to wander. The Moslems are blamed but to us it seemed the blame was to be placed seriously on the Beijing government due to their heavy policies. It really takes two to make an argument. They have huge problems with water and the tourist influx (development and infrastructure being out of step with the environment)/. The area is a rich source of oil and gas.
Is this just another regime that China is going to have to endure.
I have a saying learnt forrm my trading.
"If you want to look into the future look into the past".
I do hope 1755 does not happen again.
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| Citt finds a friend |
On a brighter note The Autonomous Museum has the largest collection of the mummies from the Western Deserts dating from 5000BC and we were keen to see them and the ethnological history of the area. It is believed this area is the birthplace of the American Indians and other American tribes.
WE did wander into the International Market area for interest.
Our hosts in Urumqui were hospitable and enlightened us with images, and related stories. We finished our stay with a sumptuous Banquet traditional hot-pot with Professor and students.
Tomorrow we travel to Turpan (Tulufan) and the Karzan irrigation areas.
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