The city's first Xinjiang-bound tour group after the July 5 riot departed yesterday.

Nearly 20 mostly middle-aged tourists will visit the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Gansu Province for 15 days, Shanghai Zhenqu Travel Service Co Ltd said.

The trip will take in Gansu, Karamay City, Tianshan Mountain and Urumqi, where the riot occurred.

The company said the group will adjust the itinerary if they sense danger. "The tour guide will keep in touch with the company in case of problems," said Shen Jianhua, deputy general manager of the company. "We will also ask group members not to go out alone at night."

Tour authorities didn't halt Xinjiang-bound trips after the riot, but many tourists asked for refunds or a postponement.

The group that left yesterday, however, had no fears and insisted on going, Shen said.

(Shanghai Daily July 17, 2009)