Shepherds herd livestock on the Banlange grassland in Qira county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Sept 10, 2015. (SHANG CHANGPING/  FOR CHINA DAILY)

The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is China's westernmost area and spans over 1.6 million square kilometers and occupying one sixth of the country's total territory. With its distinct geographic features of mountains and basins, there are 47 different ethnic groups and more than 25 million people living in Xinjiang. Many Chinese historical anecdotes and legends took place in the land which has formed long and profound traditions in poetry and literature, leaving behind plentiful cultural relics.

As a photographer, Shang Changping spent more than 20 years exploring and filming different places in Xinjiang, such as the Taklamakan Desert, the Kunlun Mountains and the Tarim Basin to understand the local inhabitants and villages. After many years, he still cherishes a bouquet of cotton flowers given to him by a local Uygur woman.

Thanks to the advancement of infrastructure, irrigation systems, social services and other aspects, different areas in Xinjiang have witnessed great improvements in people's livelihoods.

A farmer dries red dates in Qira county of Hotan city, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Oct 16, 2015. (SHANG CHANGPING/  FOR CHINA DAILY)

A newly-built road for the village of Yulong Kerr village traverses the Kunlun Mountains, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Sept 3, 2015. (SHANG CHANGPING/  FOR CHINA DAILY)

Inheritors of Daolang Muqam intangible cultural heritage hold musical performance in Makit county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Sept 15, 2019. (SHANG CHANGPING/  FOR CHINA DAILY)

Children feed pigeons in a square in front of a mosque in the city of Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Aug 25, 2018. (SHANG CHANGPING/  FOR CHINA DAILY)

A child says hello to tourists in Karakax county of Hotan city, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on April 26, 2016. (SHANG CHANGPING/  FOR CHINA DAILY)

The old city of Kashgar can be seen to preserve essential parts of Uygur folk culture, customs, architecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Aug 8, 2018. (SHANG CHANGPING/  FOR CHINA DAILY)