In the first episode of this thrilling series, photographer Nico de Rouge from France, architect Hasnaa Rhazlaoui from Morocco, and historian Neil Schmid from America kick off their expedition to Xinjiang by kicking off their boots and taking to their skis. Then, having enjoyed the thrills and spills of the unique on-piste culture of Altay in northern Xinjiang, they make their way south in more leisurely fashion in the company of migrating herdsmen, taking in a fascinating archaeological site on the way. From action-packed adventure to thoughtful encounters with history, what better introduction to the real Xinjiang could there be?