Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture (昌吉回族自治州)

1. Introduction

Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, abbreviated as Changji Prefecture, is an autonomous prefecture under the jurisdiction of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, located in the north-central part of Xinjiang. It borders Hami City to the east, Shihezi City to the west, Turpan City and the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture to the south, and Tacheng Prefecture and Altay Prefecture to the north, with the capital city of Urumqi flanking it on both the eastern and western sides. The southern part of the prefecture features the perpetually snow-capped Tianshan Mountains, with extensive forests and pastures at their foothills; to the north lies the vast grasslands of the Junggar Basin. The Han Chinese population accounts for approximately 75% of Changji Prefecture's residents, the Hui ethnic group makes up about 10%, and the Kazakh ethnic group constitutes around 9%. The People's Government of the Autonomous Prefecture is located at No. 54 North Yan'an Road, Changji City.

2. Etymology

Changji: Symbolizing prosperity and auspiciousness, it reflects the local people's aspiration for a better life.

Hui: Represents the ethnic characteristic of Changji Prefecture, where the Hui people are the predominant group.

Autonomous Prefecture: Indicates that Changji is an ethnic autonomous region with self-governing rights.

3. History

During the Western Han Dynasty, this region belonged to the Cheshi Kingdom, one of the 36 kingdoms of the Western Regions. Later, the Cheshi Kingdom split into the Front Cheshi and Rear Cheshi, with this region becoming part of the Rear Cheshi. In the third year of the Taichu era (102 BCE), the Western Han established the Commandant of Envoys in the Western Regions. In 60 BCE, the Western Han founded the Protectorate of the Western Regions. In the fourth year of the Yuankang era of Emperor Xuan of Han (62 BCE), the Wuji Colonel was established in Beiting (present-day Jimsar County), administering the region for over 400 years. From the early 3rd century CE to the mid-6th century CE, the area successively served as pastoral land for tribes such as the Gaoche, Rouran, Turkic, and Tiele of the Western Turkic Khaganate.

In the 14th year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (640 CE), the Tingzhou Prefecture was established, governing four counties: Jinman, Luntai, Pulei, and Xihai, corresponding to most of the present-day Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture. In the second year of the Chang'an era of Empress Wu Zetian (702 CE), the Beiting Grand Protectorate was established, overseeing vast territories north of the Tianshan Mountains and south of Lake Balkhash. During the Song Dynasty, the region successively fell under the control of the Tibetan Empire and the Uyghur Khaganate. In the Yuan Dynasty, it belonged to the Chagatai Khanate.

In the 36th year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1697 CE), Emperor Kangxi defeated the Dzungar tribe. In the 27th year of the Qianlong era (1762 CE), the region came under the jurisdiction of the Ili General. Later, Emperor Qianlong established the Zhen-Di Circuit in Dihua. In the 10th year of the Guangxu era (1884 CE), Xinjiang was established as a province, with most of the Changji region incorporated into Dihua Prefecture.

On July 8, 1954, the Changji Hui Autonomous Region was established.
On March 11, 1955, it was renamed the Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture. In 1958, counties such as Manas, Hutubi, Qitai, Jimsar, Fukang, and Mulei were placed under the jurisdiction of the prefecture.
In 1959, Ürümqi County was transferred to Ürümqi.
After 1983, Changji City, Fukang County, and Miquan County successively became cities.
In 2007, Miquan City of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture was merged into Ürümqi City, and Miquan City was abolished. The Midong District of Ürümqi City was established, with its administrative area comprising the former Miquan City and the Dongshan District of Ürümqi City.

4. Geography

Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture features a terrain that is high in the south and low in the north, sloping from southeast to northwest. The southern part consists of the Tianshan mountain range, the central part is a vast alluvial plain, and the northern part is an expansive desert basin. This region lies on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, which stretch across the south, and is conventionally referred to as the "Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountains." The eastern part is the Beitashan (the junction of the east-west Tianshan Mountains and the north-south Altai Mountains), with a terrain that is high in the south and low in the north, sloping from southeast to northwest. It can be divided into four geomorphological units: the Tianshan mountain area, the sloping plain, the desert basin, and the Beitashan mountain area. The Tianshan Mountains run east-west across the central part of Xinjiang, dividing it into Southern Xinjiang and Northern Xinjiang. The Tianshan range itself consists of three parallel mountain systems arranged from south to north: the Southern Tianshan, Central Tianshan, and Northern Tianshan. The central plain lies between the southern Tianshan mountain area and the northern desert basin, forming a flat oasis with favorable water and soil conditions created by alluvial and diluvial deposits from surface runoff. North of the central plain is the Junggar Basin and the Gurbantünggüt Desert within it. Beitashan is a southern extension of the Altai Mountains in the eastern part of the Junggar Basin, located on the northeastern edge of Changji Prefecture.

The natural surface water in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture primarily includes glaciers, snow cover, rivers, springs, lakes, reservoirs, and canals, forming the surface water system. Glaciers and snow cover are distributed in the high-altitude areas above 3,800 meters in the south, which are modern permanent snow zones. All counties and cities in Changji Prefecture, except for Mulei County, have perennial glaciers and snow cover. Located in an inland arid basin region, the rivers in Changji Prefecture originate in the high mountains and dissipate in the basins, making them inland rivers. These rivers are short in length and have limited water flow. Except for the Manas River, which converges into Manas Lake in its lower reaches, the others are terminal rivers. The larger natural lakes within Changji Prefecture include Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) in the southern mountainous area of Fukang City and Dongdaohaizi on the northern edge of the desert in Miquan County.

Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture belongs to the mid-temperate zone and has a typical continental arid climate, characterized by cold winters, hot summers, and significant diurnal temperature variations. Due to the influence of topographic conditions, there are considerable climatic differences from south to north. The southern part receives more precipitation in summer, while the northern part exhibits significant desert climate characteristics. Changji Prefecture enjoys ample sunshine, with an annual sunshine duration of 2,700 hours. The average annual precipitation is 190 millimeters, with summer precipitation significantly higher than in winter. The annual frost-free period ranges from 160 to 190 days.

Average Meteorological Data for Changji City from 1981–2010

| Month | Avg High °C (°F) | Daily Mean °C (°F) | Avg Low °C (°F) | Avg Precipitation mm (inches) | Avg Relative Humidity (%) | |-----------|----------------------|------------------------|---------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------------| | Jan | -9.1 (15.6) | -14.2 (6.4) | -18.4 (−1.1) | 8.5 (0.33) | 81 | | Feb | -5.5 (22.1) | -10.5 (13.1) | -14.9 (5.2) | 8.3 (0.33) | 79 | | Mar | 5.6 (42.1) | 0.5 (32.9) | -3.9 (25.0) | 11.9 (0.47) | 70 | | Apr | 19.3 (66.7) | 12.3 (54.1) | 6.1 (43.0) | 22.2 (0.87) | 48 | | May | 26.2 (79.2) | 19.0 (66.2) | 12.6 (54.7) | 26.3 (1.04) | 45 | | Jun | 30.9 (87.6) | 23.8 (74.8) | 17.4 (63.3) | 22.5 (0.89) | 45 | | Jul | 32.6 (90.7) | 25.6 (78.1) | 19.4 (66.9) | 25.2 (0.99) | 47 | | Aug | 31.6 (88.9) | 24.1 (75.4) | 17.5 (63.5) | 19.7 (0.78) | 46 | | Sep | 25.6 (78.1) | 18.0 (64.4) | 11.6 (52.9) | 15.1 (0.59) | 50 | | Oct | 15.9 (60.6) | 9.0 (48.2) | 3.8 (38.8) | 16.2 (0.64) | 62 | | Nov | 3.4 (38.1) | -1.1 (30.0) | -4.6 (23.7) | 15.0 (0.59) | 77 | | Dec | -6.5 (20.3) | -11.0 (12.2) | -14.5 (5.9) | 11.4 (0.45) | 82 | | Year | 14.2 (57.5) | 8.0 (46.3) | 2.7 (36.8) | 202.3 (7.97) | 61 |

Data source: China Meteorological Data Network

5. Administrative Divisions

Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture administers 2 county-level cities, 4 counties, and 1 autonomous county.

County-level cities: Changji City, Fukang City Counties: Hutubi County, Manas County, Qitai County, Jimsar County Autonomous county: Mori Kazakh Autonomous County

In addition to the formal administrative divisions, Changji Prefecture has also established the following economic functional zones, which are granted certain county-level administrative management authority: National-level Zhundong Economic and Technological Development Zone, National-level Changji High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, and Changji National Agricultural Science and Technology Park.

Administrative Division Map of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture

| Division Code | Division Name | Uyghur Script | Hanyu Pinyin | Latin Transliteration | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Township-level Divisions | Border Management Area Scope | |-------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------|-----------------|-------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | 652300 | Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture | سانجى خۇيزۇ ئاپتونوم ئوبلاستى | Chāngjí Huízú Zìzhìzhōu | Sanji Huyzu Aptonom Oblasti | 73,484.68 | 1,613,585 | Changji City | 831100 | 9 subdistricts, 44 towns, 26 townships, 11 ethnic townships | Parts of the territory | | 652301 | Changji City | سانجى شەھىرى | Chāngjí Shì | Sanji Shehiri | 7,971.03 | 607,441 | Yan'an North Road Subdistrict | 831100 | 6 subdistricts, 8 towns, 2 townships, 1 ethnic township | None | | 652302 | Fukang City | فۇكاڭ شەھىرى | Fùkāng Shì | Fukang Shehiri | 8,528.77 | 181,144 | Bofeng Street Subdistrict | 831500 | 3 subdistricts, 4 towns, 3 townships, 2 ethnic townships | None | | 652323 | Hutubi County | قۇتۇبى ناھىيىسى | Hūtúbì Xiàn | Qutubi Nahiyisi | 9,517.53 | 192,638 | Hutubi Town | 831200 | 6 towns, 1 township, 1 ethnic township | None | | 652324 | Manas County | ماناس ناھىيىسى | Mǎnàsī Xiàn | Manas Nahiyisi | 9,171.34 | 192,098 | Manas Town | 832200 | 7 towns, 4 townships, 3 ethnic townships | None | | 652325 | Qitai County | گۇچۇڭ ناھىيىسى | Qítái Xiàn | Guchung Nahiyisi | 16,644.87 | 219,811 | Qitai Town | 831800 | 9 towns, 6 townships, 3 ethnic townships | Entire territory | | 652327 | Jimsar County | جىمىسار ناھىيىسى | Jímùsà'ěr Xiàn | Jimisar Nahiyisi | 8,140.84 | 153,197 | Jimsar Town | 831700 | 6 towns, 3 townships | None | | 652328 | Mori Kazakh Autonomous County | مورى قازاق ئاپتونوم ناھىيىسى | Mùlěi Hāsàkè Zìzhìxiàn | Mori Qazaq Aptonom Nahiyisi | 13,510.28 | 67,256 | Mori Town | 831900 | 4 towns, 7 townships, 1 ethnic township | Entire territory |

5. Economy

5.1 Overview of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture's Economy

Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture (referred to as "Changji Prefecture") is located in the central part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Situated at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains and the southern edge of the Junggar Basin, it boasts a superior geographical location and abundant natural resources, making it one of the important economic, cultural, and transportation hubs in Xinjiang. The following is a brief introduction to the economy of Changji Prefecture:

5.2 Geographical Location and Transportation Advantages

• Geographical Location: Changji Prefecture borders Urumqi City to the east, Shihezi City to the west, the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture to the south, and Tacheng Prefecture to the north. It is a key component of the economic belt on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang.
• Transportation Advantages: Changji Prefecture enjoys convenient transportation with a well-developed network of highways, railways, and aviation. The G30 Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway, the Northern Xinjiang Railway, and the Urumqi Diwopu International Airport provide strong support for the economic development of Changji Prefecture.

5.3 Natural Resources

• Mineral Resources: Changji Prefecture is rich in mineral resources, primarily including coal, petroleum, natural gas, limestone, copper, and gold. Among these, the coal and petroleum reserves in the Junggar Basin are immense, making it one of China's important energy bases.
• Agricultural Resources: With ample sunlight and significant diurnal temperature variations, Changji Prefecture is suitable for crop growth. It is a major production base in Xinjiang for cotton, grains, vegetables, and fruits, and is particularly renowned nationwide for "Changji grapes" and "Qitai flour."
• Water Resources: Rivers such as the Toutun River and the Santun River flow through Changji Prefecture, providing ample water sources for agricultural irrigation and industrial use.

5.4 Major Industries

• Agriculture:
  • Changji Prefecture is a significant agricultural production base in Xinjiang, mainly cultivating cotton, wheat, corn, rice, and other grain crops, as well as cash crops like grapes, tomatoes, and peppers.
  • Animal husbandry is well-developed, primarily focusing on cattle and sheep farming, making it an important livestock product production base in Xinjiang.
• Industry:
  • Energy and Chemical Industry: Leveraging its abundant coal and petroleum resources, Changji Prefecture has developed industries such as coal chemical and petrochemical processing.
  • Equipment Manufacturing: Changji Prefecture is a key equipment manufacturing base in Xinjiang, mainly producing agricultural machinery, mining machinery, etc.
  • Food Processing: The food processing industry, based on local specialty agricultural products, has been growing steadily, including flour processing and tomato paste production.
• Tourism:
  • Changji Prefecture possesses rich natural and cultural tourism resources, such as the Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), Jiangbulake Scenic Area, and the Qitai Ghost City.
  • In recent years, Changji Prefecture has actively developed eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and rural tourism, attracting a large number of visitors.

5.5 Current Economic Development Status

• Economic Growth: In recent years, Changji Prefecture's economy has maintained stable growth, with both GDP and per capita income increasing year by year.
• Industrial Structure: Agriculture, industry, and services are developing in a coordinated manner, with continuous optimization of the industrial structure.
• Opening-up: Changji Prefecture actively participates in the "Belt and Road" initiative, strengthens economic and trade cooperation with countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and others, and promotes the development of an export-oriented economy.

5.6 Development Potential and Future Prospects

• Energy Development: With the further exploitation of coal and petroleum resources in the Junggar Basin, the energy and chemical industry in Changji Prefecture will encounter greater development opportunities.
• Agricultural Modernization: By promoting modern agricultural technologies and increasing the added value of agricultural products such as cotton and grapes, high-quality agricultural development will be advanced.
• Tourism Industry Upgrade: Relying on its unique natural landscapes and cultural heritage, Changji Prefecture will further develop into an international tourist destination.
• Infrastructure Construction: With the continuous improvement of transportation, telecommunications, and other infrastructure, the locational advantages of Changji Prefecture will become more prominent, providing stronger support for economic development.

6. Transportation

6.1 Highways

The G7 Beijing–Ürümqi Expressway passes through the area. The G30 Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway passes through the area. National Highway 216 passes through the area. National Highway 312 passes through the area. National Highway 335 passes through the area. The entirety of National Highway 679 is located within the autonomous prefecture. The entirety of National Highway 691 is located within the autonomous prefecture.

6.2 Railway

China State Railway Group Lanzhou–Xinjiang Railway: Changji Station

6.3 Rail Transit Construction

The project owner is Xinjiang Intercity Maglev Transportation Co., Ltd. This line starts from Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport. The starting station, International Airport Station, allows for short-distance transfers with Ürümqi Metro Line 1 and Line 2 stations. Exiting the station, it goes westward, passes underground through the airport expansion and renovation project before emerging to ground level. It then runs elevated along the Ürümqi-Changji Expressway, Provincial Highway S112, and the Ürümqi-Changji Auxiliary Road–Ürümqi-Yining Road median. It passes through the Fifth-One New Town of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps' 12th Division to reach Changji City, terminating at Changji West Outer Ring Station. The total line length is 24.1 km, comprising 5.2 km of underground section and 18.9 km of elevated section. It includes 5 stations and one Changji Depot, with the entry/exit tracks connecting at West Outer Ring Station.

Construction Timeline

On December 23-24, 2005, the Ürümqi-Changji Party Committee held its second expanded meeting, focusing on the discussion of the Ürümqi-Changji "11th Five-Year Plan". The plan explicitly mentioned that Ürümqi City and Changji City should prioritize the development of urban public transportation and initiate the Ürümqi–Changji intercity rail transit project.

In 2016, representatives from Changji Prefecture attending the Fourth Session of the 12th People's Congress of the Autonomous Region submitted a proposal to the conference regarding the construction of the Ürümqi-Changji maglev project.

On March 20, 2021, the Changji Prefecture Government Service and Public Resource Trading Administration issued the "Ürümqi-Changji Maglev Project Survey Tender Announcement".

On May 17, 2021, the Changji Prefecture Public Resource Trading Network announced the winning bid results. A consortium of three entities—Hunan Maglev Technology Research Center Co., Ltd., Hunan Provincial Communications Planning, Survey & Design Institute Co., Ltd., and Beijing Tiezhuanyuan Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd.—won the bid for the whole-process technical consulting service project of the Ürümqi-Changji maglev project.

On January 25, 2022, according to proposals made by representatives from Changji Prefecture at the Fifth Session of the 13th People's Congress of the Autonomous Region, there was a call to accelerate the construction of the Ürümqi-Changji rail transit project. The project has completed its feasibility study and is about to enter the substantive site selection and construction phase.

7. Education

Introduction to Education in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture

Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture (abbreviated as "Changji Prefecture") is located in the central part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. It is a multi-ethnic region, with major ethnic groups including the Han, Hui, Uygur, and Kazakh. Changji Prefecture places high importance on educational development, committing to promoting educational equity and high-quality development. The following is a brief introduction to education in Changji Prefecture:

7.1 Education System

• Preschool Education:
  • Changji Prefecture actively promotes the universalization of preschool education, establishing a preschool education network covering both urban and rural areas to ensure that children of appropriate age have access to quality preschool education.
• Compulsory Education:
  • Changji Prefecture fully implements the nine-year compulsory education system, ensuring that all children and adolescents of appropriate age receive free and equitable compulsory education.
  • The quality of compulsory education is continuously improved through measures such as enhancing school infrastructure and elevating teacher qualifications.
• High School Education:
  • Changji Prefecture vigorously develops high school education, promoting the coordinated development of general high schools and vocational high schools to provide students with diverse educational options.
• Higher Education:
  • Changji Prefecture is home to several higher education institutions, such as Changji University, offering local students opportunities for higher education while also attracting a significant number of students from other regions.

7.2 Bilingual Education

• Changji Prefecture actively promotes bilingual education, particularly in areas with concentrated ethnic minority populations, by implementing bilingual teaching in both Chinese and minority languages to foster communication and integration among different ethnic groups.
• Through bilingual education, the Chinese proficiency of ethnic minority students is enhanced, improving their employment competitiveness and social adaptability.

7.3 Vocational Education

• Changji Prefecture vigorously develops vocational education, establishing numerous vocational colleges and training centers to provide students with skills training and employment guidance.
• Vocational education covers various fields, including agriculture, industry, and services, providing strong talent support for the economic development of Changji Prefecture.

7.4 Special Education

• Changji Prefecture values special education, establishing several special education schools to provide specialized educational services for children with disabilities.
• Through special education, children with disabilities are helped to acquire knowledge and skills, improving their self-care abilities and social adaptability.

7.5 Teacher Development

• Changji Prefecture places high importance on teacher development, continuously enhancing the professional quality and teaching capabilities of teachers through recruitment, training, and continuing education.
• Teacher incentive policies are implemented to improve teachers' compensation and social status, attracting and retaining excellent educators.

7.6 Educational Informatization

• Changji Prefecture actively promotes the construction of educational informatization, utilizing modern information technology to improve teaching conditions and enhance teaching effectiveness.
• By building smart campuses and promoting online education, students are provided with a more convenient and efficient learning environment.

7.7 Educational Equity

• Changji Prefecture is committed to promoting educational equity, ensuring that students from impoverished families have access to quality education through the implementation of educational poverty alleviation policies.
• By improving conditions in rural schools and enhancing the compensation of rural teachers, the gap between urban and rural education is narrowed.

8. Population

At the beginning of 2022, the permanent resident population of the entire prefecture was 1.62 million. Among them: the urban permanent resident population was 1.08 million. The annual number of births was 11,100, with a birth rate of 6.84‰; the number of deaths was 9,300, with a mortality rate of 5.76‰; the natural growth rate was 1.08‰.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the permanent resident population of the entire prefecture was 1,613,585. Compared with the 1,428,587 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 184,998 people over the ten years, a growth of 12.95%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.23%. Among them, the male population was 860,716, accounting for 53.34% of the total population; the female population was 752,869, accounting for 46.66% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 114.32. The population aged 0–14 was 241,319, accounting for 14.96% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,121,331, accounting for 69.49% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 250,935, accounting for 15.55% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 177,408, accounting for 10.99% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 1,067,075, accounting for 66.13% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 546,510, accounting for 33.87% of the total population.

9.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the permanent resident population, the Han Chinese population was 1,075,852, accounting for 75.31%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 352,735, accounting for 24.69%.

Ethnic Composition of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture (November 2010)

| Ethnic Group Name | Population | Percentage of Total Population (%) | Percentage of Ethnic Minority Population (%) | |-----------------------|----------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Han | 1,075,852 | 75.31 | --- | | Hui | 136,013 | 9.52 | 38.56 | | Kazakh | 133,286 | 9.33 | 37.79 | | Uyghur | 63,606 | 4.45 | 18.03 | | Mongolian | 5,214 | 0.36 | 1.48 | | Dongxiang | 3,176 | 0.22 | 0.90 | | Manchu | 2,264 | 0.16 | 0.64 | | Uzbek | 1,727 | 0.12 | 0.49 | | Tibetan | 1,502 | 0.11 | 0.43 | | Tujia | 1,171 | 0.08 | 0.33 | | Other Ethnic Groups | 4,776 | 0.33 | 1.35 |

9. Religion

Introduction to Religion in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture

Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture (referred to as "Changji Prefecture") is located in the central part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. It is a multi-ethnic region, with major ethnic groups including the Han, Hui, Uygur, and Kazakh peoples. Due to the coexistence of multiple ethnicities, the religious culture of Changji Prefecture exhibits diverse characteristics. The following is a brief introduction to religion in Changji Prefecture:

9.1 Major Religions

• Islam:
  • Islam is the primary faith of ethnic groups such as the Hui, Uygur, and Kazakh peoples in Changji Prefecture. Most Hui, Uygur, and Kazakh adherents follow Sunni Islam.
  • There are many mosques within Changji Prefecture, such as the Changji City Grand Mosque, which serves as an important venue for local Muslims' religious activities.
• Buddhism:
  • Buddhism also has a number of adherents in Changji Prefecture, primarily concentrated among the Han and other ethnic groups. There are a small number of Buddhist temples in Changji Prefecture for worship activities.
• Christianity:
  • Christianity also has a number of adherents in Changji Prefecture, primarily concentrated among the Han and other ethnic groups. There are a small number of Christian churches in Changji Prefecture for worship activities.
• Taoism and Folk Beliefs:
  • Some Han people practice Taoism or folk beliefs, but the scale is relatively small.

9.2 Characteristics of Religious Culture

• Pluralistic Coexistence:
  • Changji Prefecture is a region where multiple ethnicities and religions coexist. Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, and other religions harmoniously coexist, forming a unique religious and cultural landscape.
• Integration of Religion and Ethnic Culture:
  • The Islamic faith of the Hui people is deeply integrated with traditional Hui culture, reflected in festivals, customs, arts, and other aspects. For example, the Hui festivals of "Eid al-Fitr" and "Eid al-Adha" are important religious holidays.
  • The Islamic faith of the Uygur and Kazakh peoples has also profoundly influenced their lifestyles, dietary culture, and festival celebrations.

9.3 Religious Activity Sites

• Mosques:
  • Changji City Grand Mosque: Located in Changji City, it is an important Islamic activity site in Changji Prefecture.
  • Other Mosques: Spread across various counties and cities in Changji Prefecture, serving local Muslim communities.
• Buddhist Temples:
  • There are a small number of Buddhist temples in Changji Prefecture, mainly distributed in Han-populated areas.
• Christian Churches:
  • There are a small number of Christian churches in Changji Prefecture, mainly distributed in Han-populated areas.

9.4 Religious Policies and Management

• The Chinese government implements a policy of freedom of religious belief, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of religious groups and believers.
• Governments at all levels in Changji Prefecture manage religious affairs according to the law, maintaining religious harmony and social stability.
• Religious groups and sites actively carry out patriotic education, guiding believers to love their country and their faith, and promoting the adaptation of religion to the socialist society.

9.5 Religion and Tourism

• Changji Prefecture is rich in religious and cultural resources, attracting a large number of tourists. For example, the Changji City Grand Mosque is not only a site for religious activities but also an important cultural tourism attraction.
• Religious festivals and activities (such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, etc.) have become important windows for showcasing the multiculturalism of Changji Prefecture.

10. Culture

10.1 Introduction to the Culture of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture

Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture (referred to as "Changji Prefecture") is located in the central part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. It is a multi-ethnic region, with major ethnic groups including the Han, Hui, Uygur, and Kazakh peoples. The culture of Changji Prefecture integrates elements from the Han, Hui, Uygur, Kazakh, and other ethnic groups, forming a unique and rich cultural landscape. The following is a brief introduction to the culture of Changji Prefecture:

10.2. Ethnic Cultures

• Hui Culture:
  • The Hui people are one of the main ethnic groups in Changji Prefecture. Their culture is centered around Islam, reflected in aspects such as diet, clothing, festivals, and customs.
  • Traditional festivals like "Eid al-Fitr" and "Eid al-Adha" are important manifestations of Hui culture, with celebrations including prayers, family gatherings, and sharing of food.
• Uygur Culture:
  • Uygur culture is based on agriculture and handicrafts, with distinctive features in music, dance, and architecture.
  • Traditional festivals such as "Eid al-Adha" and "Nowruz" are important components of Uygur culture.
  • Traditional Uygur musical instruments like the "Rawap" and "Dutar," as well as the dance "Meshrep," are widely popular.
• Kazakh Culture:
  • The Kazakh people are primarily nomadic, with traditional lifestyles and customs closely related to the grasslands.
  • Traditional festivals like "Nauryz" are important expressions of Kazakh culture, celebrating the arrival of spring.
  • Traditional Kazakh musical instruments like the "Dombra" and folk songs performed by "Akyns" are significant components of Changji Prefecture's culture.

10.3 Language and Script

• Chinese: Chinese is the common language in Changji Prefecture, widely used in government, education, commerce, and other fields.
• Hui Language: The Hui people use Chinese but employ Arabic in religious activities.
• Uygur Language: The Uygur people use the Uygur language, written in the Uygur script based on the Arabic alphabet.
• Kazakh Language: The Kazakh people use the Kazakh language, written in the Kazakh script based on the Arabic alphabet.

10.4 Traditional Festivals

• Eid al-Fitr:
  • An important festival for the Hui, Uygur, and Kazakh peoples, with celebrations including prayers, family gatherings, and sharing of food.
• Eid al-Adha:
  • An important festival for the Hui, Uygur, and Kazakh peoples, with celebrations including animal sacrifice, prayers, and family gatherings.
• Nauryz:
  • A traditional Kazakh festival celebrating the arrival of spring, with activities including song and dance performances and traditional sports competitions.

10.5 Arts and Crafts

• Music and Dance:
  • The music and dance of Changji Prefecture blend artistic elements from multiple ethnic groups, such as the Uygur "Meshrep" and the Kazakh "Akyn" performances.
• Handicrafts:
  • The handicrafts of Changji Prefecture are represented by Hui embroidery, Uygur carpet weaving, and Kazakh horse tack making, all featuring strong ethnic characteristics.

10.6 Culinary Culture

• Hui Cuisine:
  • Primarily consists of halal foods, such as hand-pulled noodles, sanzi (fried dough twists), and youxiang (fried pastries).
• Uygur Cuisine:
  • Mainly includes wheat-based foods and grilled meats, such as naan, pilaf, and lamb kebabs.
• Kazakh Cuisine:
  • Primarily features dairy products and meats, such as kumis (fermented mare's milk), hand-torn meat, and smoked horse sausage.

10.7 Cultural Heritage

• Intangible Cultural Heritage:
  • Changji Prefecture boasts rich intangible cultural heritage, such as the Hui "Hua'er" (folk songs), the Uygur "Meshrep," and the Kazakh "Akyn" performances.
• Tangible Cultural Heritage:
  • There are numerous historical and cultural sites and ancient buildings in Changji Prefecture, such as the Changji City Grand Mosque and the Qitai Devil City.

10.8 Cultural Exchange

• Changji Prefecture actively engages in cultural exchange activities with the outside world, showcasing its unique cultural charm through cultural festivals, art exhibitions, and folk performances.
• These cultural exchange activities not only promote mutual understanding among different ethnic groups but also attract a large number of tourists to visit.

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Changji City

Changji City

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