After arriving in Urumqi, the largest city in the Xinjiang region, the challenges I faced were far greater than I had expected. Looking for a place to stay highlighted once again just how difficult it can be to live as a Turk in this city. From CouchSurfing to hostels, from hotels to the streets, I will share with you in this article the experiences I had while trying to find a place to stay for a week.
Searching for Accommodation in Urumqi: A Difficult Start
My first task upon arriving in Urumqi was to find a place to stay. I decided to try CouchSurfing first. I could only find 10 active users on the platform, and I sent accommodation requests to all of them. However, the responses I received were disastrous. When they found out I was Turkish, they said they couldn't host me due to political reasons. This situation made me realize once again how challenging it is to live as a Turk in China.
Hostels and Hotels: The Pain of Rejection
When I didn't receive any positive responses from CouchSurfing, I turned to hostels. However, even though they had vacancies, they would not accept me. The feeling of rejection began to wear me down both physically and emotionally. This time, I decided to set money aside and try hotels. Yet, the situation at the hotels was the same. As soon as they saw my passport, they turned me away with the same excuse. It is difficult to describe how excluded and lonely I felt as a Turk in China during this process.
Living on the Street: Sleeping in Parks and Hidden Tents
Unable to find a place to stay, I began spending my nights on the streets. Some nights I just walked around to pass the time. During the day, I would go to parks and try to sleep. However, I soon realized how dangerous and difficult this was. For a week, I did everything I could to survive on the streets of Urumqi. Some nights, I secretly pitched a tent and stayed there. But that wasn't easy either; I had to live with a constant fear of danger and being caught.
A Week of Torture
Throughout this grueling week, I fought a great battle both physically and mentally. In China's Xinjiang region, the difficulties brought about by being Turkish and the feeling of rejection turned this experience into torture for me. However, this process also helped me better understand the hardships faced by the people in this region. Getting a small glimpse of the pressures and difficulties experienced by the Uyghur Turks made this week unforgettable for me.
Conclusion: The Difficulties of Living as a Turk in China
This week I spent in Urumqi showed me once again how challenging it can be to live as a Turk in China. This difficult process of trying to find a place to stay helped me better understand the struggles that people in China's Xinjiang region face in their daily lives. If you are ever thinking of visiting this region, I recommend you consider the experiences I have shared in this article and be careful. Enjoy watching!
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