A PHOTOGRAPHY exhibition, aimed at introducing people to a hidden part of China, will launch to mark Chinese New Year in Carlisle this year.

As the Chinese New Year celebrations and the Beijing Winter Olympics get under way, Carlisle Library is hosting a new exhibition focussing on a lesser-known region of China and the people who live there.

Xinjiang is a region of deserts and mountains in the far west of China. Bordered by 6 countries including Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia, it is the central section of the ancient Silk Road trading route.

Not only beautiful, Xinjiang is important to China’s economy, producing oil, fruit and a fifth of the world’s cotton.

News and Star: CREDIT: Steve Wharton CREDIT: Steve Wharton

A vast region of mountains and deserts, Xinjiang is the homeland of the Uyghurs, one of the 56 ethnic minorities in who live in China.

Unusually for China, the Uyghurs are Muslim and their traditional language is related to Turkish.

The Faces of Xinjiang exhibition provides a rare glimpse into this part of the world which photographer Steve Wharton travelled through in 2011.

News and Star: CREDIT: Steve WhartonCREDIT: Steve Wharton

Further images to accompany the exhibition will be released on Instagram by @wanderingwharties throughout February.

Admission to the exhibition will be free for all.

News and Star: CREDIT: Steve Wharton CREDIT: Steve Wharton

The exhibition will run from February 1 to February 28 2022, Carlisle Library, First Floor, 11 Globe Ln, Carlisle CA3 8NX

It will run every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00-17:30, as well as Tuesday's from 10:00-17:30, and Saturdays 9:00-12:00.