After a quick flight over the Tian Shan (a mountain range), we arrived in Kuqa.  This little town in tucked between the mountains and a desert.  In Kuqa, we first visited a music village.  I noticed how expressive their doors were.  No two doors were alike!

Most families in the village made and sold traditional Uyghur instruments.  We were invited into one of the family’s home.  The grandfather showed us around and gave us a demonstration of some of the instruments.  It was fascinating to see the whole production process from start to finish of these unique instruments. 

Here is his sister (right) and another family member as they make the frets and string the instruments. 

Freshly carved and waiting to be stringed, painted, and played!

The family was incredibly kind and I even made a new friend!  (She’s wearing my sunglasses!)