Storyline: Sand therapy attracts tourists to NW China's Xinjiang [Voice_over] In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, known for its scorching heat, summer-time means sand therapy season is in full swing. The traditional Uygur medical treatment involves covering oneself in sand, shaded under an umbrella of course, and is an essential component of ethnic medicine. Turpan's Uyghur Medical Hospital has a long history of using the therapy to treat rheumatic diseases, with unique and remarkable effects. [Sound_bite] Tourist: "As soon as I lay down, I felt it was extremely hot. After about 10 minutes of being buried, I started to sweat slightly, but my body felt fine overall and was quite comfortable." [Voice_over] According to city statistics, more than 300,000 tourists come here for sand therapy every year. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]