Since I don't want jiejie's trip report to become political, I would like to make this point as softly as possible: many Han people are fearful of Xinjiang ---> getting there is cheap, even during holiday periods. During my Kashgar visit, I bumped into many of the people on my flight at the main tourist sites, and the predominant attitude was a hybrid of fear and ignorance.
A good friend of mine is in Dunhuang at this very moment ("business trip"; her company sprung for the direct flight). I advised her to visit the dunes and go light on the caves. She will make her way to Turpan and Kashgar before the week is up, and I will relay her reaction in due course.