Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a mysterious place in the eyes of many Chinese and foreign visitors, received a record 1.4 million Chinese and 26,000 tourists from other countries in July.

The region gained a monthly tourist income of 1.1 billion yuan (US$132 million) domestically and US$10 million from overseas tourists, said Naim Yasin, director of the regional tourism bureau.

The source of visitors has expanded from southern China's Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces and Shanghai Municipality to the whole of northwest China as well as Sichuan and Shandong provinces, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Apart from sightseeing, nearly one-fifth of tourists made spot investigations, sought business partners and negotiated with the local government departments on projects for cooperation.

Residents of Xinjiang also spent their summer holidays touring picturesque Kanas Lake, Narat Grassland and Swan Lake.

Xinjiang was also known as "Xiyu" (western territory) in ancient times. The ancient Silk Road was divided into three major routes in Xinjiang. Numerous historical monuments along the Silk Road still can be seen today. The landscape of Xinjiang varies immensely, ranging from spectacular snow-crowned mountains to the boundless lush grassland and from the vast expanse of desert to charming oases and deep serene lakes.

(Xinhua)