Geographically, the region of Xinjiang is quite ideal for preserving dessicated bodies (or mummies!) Since the Tarim Basin is so dry, there is a museum in Urumqi dedicated to displaying all the mummies found in this region.  

This is the Beauty of Loulan, estimated to be from 1900-1800 BC.  It was amazing to see how well preserved these bodies were, from their finger nails to their hair.  Here are pictures of other mummies as well!

After visiting the museum, I walked to the People’s Park in Urumqi.  Urumqi is a fascinating city in that it is mix between Han Chinese culture and Uyghur Islamic culture since it is practically in Central Asia.  Public signs are written in Mandarin Chinese and Uyghur (which uses the Arabic alphabet).  

 The People’s Park was a great place to see these cultures mix as well as overlook the whole city!  Just like on top of most mountains in China, I even found a Buddhist Temple.

I fell in love with Dunhuang but now I’m starting to fall in love with Urumqi too!