UCAS, Beijing and Urumqi

Re Urumqi, this may not be the best place for a political briefing! But most of the information is readily available if you Google for it. I visited the city a few times a long time ago and basically liked it, though some of the other cities/towns in Xinjiang have more ancient history. The elevation is about 700m above sea level.

Thanks for your prompt response.

Appreciate the heads up but I am very familiar with the situation there. I personally consider it less worrisome than the revolution I went through (and was forced to evacuate due to) in a neighboring country. I am more concerned about health there than anything else (I'll soon be having too many shots).

I am looking forward to seeing some of that history. I have been devouring information ever since I received the offer in March. That isn't too high in elevation.

I guess I failed to mention my actual background. I'm a economic geology student whose interest is the mineral deposits of that region as well as those in Mongolia, Siberia and the rest of Central Asia. My primary hobby is long distance backpacking, camping, rock climbing and slowly moving into higher and higher mountaineering and ice climbing (which ironically started the interests many years ago in the very same mountain range).

Thanks

It sounds as if you know exactly what you are doing, and I'm sure you'll have a fascinating time. At one time I wanted to do research in Xinjiang, though unfortunately I wasn't able to realise my plans. I can't help with UCAS  I didn't know the Academy had a university! But I'd be happy to correspond with you privately if you have any general questions about Beijing.

I kind of know what I am doing, but know little about China itself. A big interest is the cultural differences that westerner people might notice and have to adapt to. If anyone has any tips I could use them haha.