I'm standing here at Daxing International Airport.
The whole place feels lively and full of energy.
A trip here wouldn't count without trying it now.
That's Bianca, one of our editors, the very same lady who has been unearthing all those fascinating Xinjiang folktales for you.
Well, she didn't just stay behind her desk.
In fact, she packed a bag, hopped on a plane, and went into full explorer mode.
In this episode, we're hitching a ride with her.
We'll follow her footsteps to hunt down stories, meet people, taste local delicacies and, of course, soak in the sights.
From Urumuki's buzzing Grand Bazaar, to Turpan's sun-baked vineyards.
We'll see if the characters and tales are still alive in the places that inspired them.
All great adventures begin somewhere.
Ours just happens to start with dragging around our luggage boarding announcements and that sense of panic when you realize that you packed a half-broken recorder.
So if you hear a few unexpected beep-beep sting along the way, that's just Bianca's equipment trying to keep up with all the excitement.
I'm standing here at Daxing International Airport, ready to head far northwest to China's Xinjiang.
It's a hot destination for travelers, and for good reasons.
With 28 civil airports, Xinjiang has more than anywhere else in China.
In just the first seven months of this year, over 30 million passengers flew in and out, carrying goods, stories and adventures.
So let's buckle up.
Our journey kicks off in Urumqi, the vibrant capital, where we'll meet a legendary figure whose cleverness has stood the test of time Affante.
And now here I am at the Grand Bazaar.
The sun is shining, the sky is a clear blue, and the buildings around me are stunning.
Tall minarets, colorful domes and walls decorated with intricate patterns, the whole place feels lively and full of energy.
The International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi is now a must-visit for travelers.
Fun fact in the Uyghur language bazaar simply means market, and this one truly lives up to that name.
It's not just a shopping spot.
It's like a giant open-air theme park that celebrates Xinjiang's culture.
The place blends Islamic-inspired architecture, ethnic commerce, tourism, and entertainment.
You can hear traditional music drifting through the air, watch folk dances on the square or grab a barbecued lamb skewers sizzling hot off the grill.
It's also the perfect place to dress up in local costumes or pick up gifts for family and friends.
Oh, i saw bianca's photos.
She even tried nang coffee, where the cup itself is made of nang looked delicious.
It was worth every zip or every bite in your case.
As I walk through the market, I can't help but notice something familiar everywhere.
Statues, paintings and little souvenirs of a man riding a donkey with a big smile.
That's a Fenty. most beloved folk heroes.
He's clever, mischievous and always ready to outsmart the greedy and powerful with humor and cunning.
His stories, full of weight, clever tricks and unexpected twists, have been told for generations, entertaining and teaching lessons at the same time.
Offenty has been known along the ancient Silk Road for his kind soul and quick wit.
Some say he's a folk hero created by China's Uyghur people.
Others trace his roots to Uzbek legends or Turkish tales.
Wherever his story began, his adventures have become timeless classics enjoyed by generations across China.
And today, he's more than just a legendary character.
He's a living cultural icon.
Beyond what Bianca saw at the Grand Bazaar, the tales of Afendi have been adapted into animations, musicals and short videos shared on social media, bringing his humor and wisdom to new audiences and younger generations.
In other words, Afendi went from riding a donkey to riding the wave of modern creativity.
And speaking of things that have stood the test of time, Nang definitely makes the short list and the breakfast list.
You can't miss out on Nang if you're in Xinjiang.
It's a round leavened flatbread.
You can have it on its own or with dishes.
Try tear a piece and have it with your hand-pulled noodles or pile it with lamb and carrots.
In modern days, Nang is also turned into various new innovations.
Nang yogurt, Nang coffee, and even Nang flowers.
I also saw a very catchy rhyming slogan.
A trip here wouldn't count without trying a Nang.
And yes, Bianca didn't come back empty-handed.
She brought back Nang.
And it barely survived five minutes in the studio.
Everyone grabbed a piece.
Oh, you're curious why it's so popular.
We actually did a full episode about the tales behind Nang.
We invite you to check that out later.
Besides Nang, she also brought back some raisins.
Sweet, chewy, and not too dry.
She picked these up at her next stop, Turpan.
Just stepped off the train in Taipan and the heat hits me immediately.
Dry, shock and almost tangible.
They don't call this place the Fireland for nothing, even though it's already September.
The city is home to the fabled Flaming Mountains, the barren red sandstone hills in the Tianshan Mountain Range, where the summer temperatures frequently reach 50 degrees Celsius and above.
Flaming Mountains.
You might recognize them from Journey to the West, the classic Chinese tale that follows the legendary Monkey King and his companions on a magical pilgrimage.
Legend says that, after getting his golden fire eyes, Monkey King kicked over a heavenly furnace and the fiery bricks landed here.
Classic Wukong energy.
But when he had to pass through on the journey to the west, he had to borrow the magical fan from Princess Iron Fan to put out the flames.
Of course, she didn't make it easy.
Monkey King tried all sorts of tricks, transformed and even flew into her stomach.
And as always, the hero wins.
That's why Turpan and the Flaming Mountains rank among the hottest spots in China.
Signs vex it up too.
Turpan sits in the Turpan Basin, which traps scorching air under the blazing desert sun, turning the whole place into a natural oven.
I'm now standing at one of the hottest spots in China.
And this giant thermometer is designed to measure up to 100 degrees Celsius, because the surface temperature here often soars over 70 degrees Celsius in the summer.
Good thing that Bianca didn't go in midsummer.
That's when the flaming mountains truly live up to the name.
In the hottest months, locals actually bake eggs right in the sand.
In 30 minutes, perfectly roasted eggs are ready to be served.
In fact, this creaky little snack is now a must-try for visitors.
While the mountains are too scorching to live on.
People have settled in the surrounding region for thousands of years.
About 40 kilometres away lies an ancient city.
Today, it's called the Jiaohe Ruins.
This is the Jiaohe Ruins.
The reason we're not calling it an ancient city is that it was abandoned by the people around the 14th century.
Built around the 2nd century BC on the natural Lewis Plateau between two rivers.
Hence the name Jiaohe, meaning confluence of rivers.
What makes it so special.
Instead of erecting the houses and city walls, people carved them out from the ground, creating one of the world's largest and best preserved earthen cities.
The layout was very advanced at that time, with distinct zones for government residencies and temples.
The Jiaohe Ruins was also an important military and treating hub along the Asian Silk Road.
If you watch the famous TV series Journey to the West, there was actually a scene shot right here.
Today, walking through the Zhaohu ruins, you can still feel this culture and ingenuity after all these centuries.
I can just imagine standing there, feeling the pulse of history in the air.
You can almost hear the stories buried in the walls, waiting to be heard.
And then finally, a little patch of greenery, Frog Valley, another must-visit spot in Turpan.
We arrived at the Grape Valley at 10 a.m.
The weather is cool and there's a lot of shade in the Frog Alley to hide from the sun.
The name comes from a legendary story.
A long time ago, the king of Gaochang got a strange sore on his thumb and the imperial doctors couldn't cure it.
A local farmer here who knows some medicine was summoned.
He used a frog caught near the village's hot spring to reduce the swelling.
This treatment successfully healed the king's illness, and the farmer was handsomely rewarded.
Crucially, it was noted that during winter, this was the only place in the Gaochuan kingdom where frogs could be found, likely due to the warmth from the hot springs.
The frog alley then became widely known.
What a story!
In real life, Frog Valley used to be chaotic, with scattered sheep pens, crumbling earthen walls and uneven potholed roads.
In early 2024, under a joint initiative of the local government and the Hunan Xinjiang Aid Task Force, Frog Valley underwent major renovations.
It's now a complete tourism hub dining, boutique accommodations, educational tours, photography experiences and intangible cultural heritage activities.
People here can't stop talking about it.
Not just Frog Valley, but all of Turpan's surprises.
Turpan is a great place.
It's hot, but when the wind blows, it actually feels quite pleasant.
Unlike Sichuan, which is full of greenery, Turpan is all golden earth.
The people in Turpan are friendly and warm.
Hot weather, warm people, sweet fruits.
And that, my friends, wraps up our journey through Xinjiang bazaar in Rumuki to the sun-baked vineyards of Turpan.
Every corner has a story to tell.
Hey, it's good to be back in the studio.
Hearing all this again makes me miss the sun, the wind, and yes, the endless Nang.
We all miss the fresh Nang.
They are so good.
I love its texture.
But seriously, Bianca, you brought back not just snacks, but delicious stories.
After seeing it all firsthand, you realize these tales aren't just old stories.
They're very much alive.
When you spot a Fenty riding his donkey through Urumqi, you feel that connection through generations.
And the locals?
So warm and welcoming.
That's what really sticks with me.
I love that.
It's the people, the flavors, the history and the legends all rode into one adventure, and that's exactly why we chose xinjiang for this series.
It's where cultures meet stories, flavors and traditions.
Here china's rich heritage blends with diverse ethnic traditions, ancient and modern, east and west, creating a unique spirit you can feel everywhere.
That's the magic.
No matter where or when, these tales remind us of values that resonate across time.
So listeners, if you love to travel and enjoy folklores and a little adventure, Xinjiang should be on your list.
For more tales and stories that connect the past and present, you know where to find us, right here on Chinese Folk Tales.
Any story sparks your curiosity.
Leave a comment.
We love hearing from you.
Thanks for coming along on this journey with us.
And hey, maybe next time, I'll bring back some honey melons too.
We'll hold you to that.
And well, this is probably the last episode of our Xinjiang series for now.
But don't be too sad.
2026 is coming and, who knows, maybe we'll trot into some new tales from across china then.
Until next time, keep exploring and keep discovering the stories that make every place special.
