The therapeutic management and health challenges caused by atrial fibrillation (AF) differ between different groups. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features of patients hospitalized with AF and to explore the use of anticoagulation treatments in Han and Uygur patients in Xinjiang, northwest China. Data were collected from a retrospective descriptive study involving patients hospitalized at 13 hospitals in Xinjiang, China from Jul 1, 2014 to Jun 31, 2015. Anticoagulation management was measured according to guideline-recommended risk scores. A total of 4,181 patients with AF were included (mean age 69.5 ± 11.7 years, 41.4% females; 71.5% Han, 28.5% Uygur). The prevalence of AF in Uygur individuals may occur earlier than in Han individuals (mean age 64.9 vs 71.3, P < 0.001). Most of the hospitalized patients with AF had a high risk of stroke (CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2; 80.6% Han vs 73.7% Uygur, P < 0.05); this risk was especially high in elderly patients. In AF patients, the application of anticoagulants according to the guidelines is far from expected, and the underutilization of anticoagulants exists in both ethnic groups.