Time Zone |
Asia/Shanghai |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+8 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
Africa/Niamey |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+1 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Minfeng County, belonging to Hotan Region of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is located in the northern foothills of the Kunlun Mountains and the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, and was an important post on the southern route of the ancient Silk Road. It is famous for the "Niya Ruins", the ruins of the old city of Jingjie State during the Han and Jin Dynasties, which are hidden in the yellow sand, and the national treasures such as the "Five Stars in the East and Benefiting China" brocade unearthed, which tell the story of the prosperity of the Silk Road. The oasis and desert are intertwined within the county, and the county is rich in Hetian jade, jujube, grapes and other specialties. The unique ecology of the desert oasis and the rich Uyghur folk customs make the county a unique window for exploring the history and nature of the southern border. Minfeng, meaning "prosperity and abundance", is an apt interpretation of the vitality of this land.
Diffa, the capital of the Diffa region in southeastern Niger, is located on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert and shares a border with Nigeria, making it one of the most important border cities in Niger. The city is located in the lower Niger River basin around the climate of the tropical desert climate, hot and dry throughout the year, the average annual precipitation is less than 300 millimeters. The economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry, and the surrounding areas are rich in millet, sorghum and livestock. Diffa, as a regional trade center, undertakes the function of cross-border trade with neighboring countries, such as Nigeria, and is especially famous for the trade of livestock, agricultural products and handicrafts. The city is culturally diverse, with Hausa, Tuareg and Kanuri ethnic groups living in the area, and is unique in its crafts such as traditional leather weaving and silversmithing. Despite infrastructural challenges, Diffa remains an important economic and cultural node in the south-east of the Niger, thanks to its strategic location and rich cultural heritage.