Located on the western edge of China, Xinjiang is a land of contrasts – home to the second highest point in the world and the second lowest point in the world. Throughout history, the land has long been home to many different ethnic groups and religious beliefs. Apart from the Han Chinese, the Uyghur people are the main ethnic group found today in Xinjiang. The historical Silk Road passed through this region and many traces of it are found today in the historical cities of Xinjiang such as Turpan and Kashgar.