My experiences in China’s Xinjiang region turned into an unforgettable and equally challenging ordeal. I had bought a 350 TL train ticket to get from Urumqi to Beijing. However, since my ticket was for four days later, I had to survive in Urumqi for four days. I spent some nights on the street because hotels and hostels did not accept Turks. In this article, I will share with you the difficulties I faced in Urumqi, the nights spent on the streets, and being detained by the police simply because I am Turkish.
4 Days in Urumqi: The Struggle to Find Accommodation
Throughout these 4 days I spent in Urumqi, I tried to figure out what I had to do to find a place to stay. Hotels and hostels refused to accept me once they learned I was Turkish. While spending the nights on the street, some nights I preferred to just sit somewhere and stay awake. During this process, the difficulties I faced to survive in Urumqi showed once again how hard it can be to be a Turk in China's Xinjiang region.
Detained by the Police: A Terrifying Night
One night, as I was searching for a hotel in the streets of Urumqi, I felt the hardships I was enduring even more intensely. Just because I was Turkish, I was stopped by the police in the middle of the night and taken to the station. This situation was one of the most concrete examples of how dangerous it can be to live as a Turk in China. The police questioned my identity and held me at the station for a long time. During this time, I had to wait in fear of being sent to an internment camp. Fortunately, I was released in the early hours of the morning, but the impact this incident had on me was beyond description.
The Difficulties of Living on the Street: Days Spent in Urumqi
During these 4 days, I did my best to survive on the streets of Urumqi. Every night, while struggling to find a safe place and get some sleep, I lived with a constant fear of danger and being caught. These days I spent in Urumqi required a great struggle, not just physically, but mentally as well. I felt once again the challenges and dangers that come with living as a Turk in China.
Conclusion: The Realities of Being Turkish in China
These 4 days I spent in Urumqi demonstrated once again how difficult and dangerous it can be to live as a Turk in China. The difficulties I faced and the fear of being detained simply because I am Turkish revealed just how sensitive and complex this region is. If you are ever thinking of visiting this region, I recommend that you take the experiences I have shared in this article into account and be careful. Enjoy watching!
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