Xinjiang Knowledge and Action Field Trip Report

Our journey began in Karamay, where we explored the region's oil-based economy. As someone from Ecuador, another major oil-exporting nation, I thought I had a general understanding of petroleum's role in economic development. Yet, this was my first time standing in the heart of a desert oil field, where we could almost feel the oil surging beneath the earth we walked on. It was a surreal moment that made the invisible tangible.

More importantly, we witnessed how the oil industry transformed Karamay into one of China's most prosperous cities, with the second-highest per capita GDP in the country. This firsthand exposure deepened my appreciation for how natural resources, when paired with strategic governance, can drastically reshape the livelihoods and future of an entire region.
But our journey didn't stop at economics. We then experienced life in the desert, learning about how people have historically adapted to harsh, arid conditions. Touring iconic desert architecture, we gained a newfound respect for the ingenuity and resilience of those who have lived in harmony with nature for generations. These encounters broadened our understanding of human adaptability and cultural heritage far beyond what textbooks could convey.
In Tacheng, we were welcomed with the warmest hospitality imaginable. Everywhere we went, people were singing, dancing, and inviting us to take photos together - eager to preserve this fleeting but meaningful connection. It was a reminder of the power of human warmth to transcend differences in language, nationality, or background.
Our final destination was Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang — a place that truly reshaped my understanding of China. Here, I was able to experience a vibrant, metropolitan city that serves as a cultural and economic bridge between China, Central Asia, and even Europe.
Alexander Wirch learns to make naan at Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
This journey left us not only with unforgettable memories but also with profound insights into economic development, cultural resilience, and human connection. We each return home with stories worth sharing and a richer, more nuanced understanding of China's diverse landscape, geographically, economically, and culturally.
Alexander Wirch is an international student studying in Guanghua School of Management in Peking University.
Producer: Xiao Chunfei
Supervisors: Ding Tao and Jie Wenjin
Planners: Jie Wenjin and Cheng Li
Reviewers: Cheng Li and Hou Weili
Editor: Gvlzar Mijit
Source :Tianshannet