Great RR thanks for posting.

While there is a heavy police/army presence in Xinjiang I would not say it is "arguably safest territory in the universe."Things change quickly in Xinjiang and I am always aware of certain situations and place's while there.Southern Xinjiang is one place that I am on full alert.

I would be wary about taking photo's of mosques. While I have not had any issues in Xinjiang I once had a problem in Gansu while taking photo's of a mosque and have since been wary of taking photo's of mosques and Buddhist temples and monasteries.I ask first.

If you think the country side and cultures changes after Gansu it changes radically the further west and north west you travel into Xinjiang after Urumqi.

There are no McDonalds in Xinjiang luckily.

Once again thanks for taking the time to show us your trip.