How To Visit Xinjiang
As the largest provincial administrative region in China, Xinjiang attracts global travelers with its magnificent natural scenery and rich culture.
As the largest provincial administrative region in China, Xinjiang attracts global travelers with its magnificent natural scenery and rich culture. This land, which accounts for one-sixth of China's land, has diverse landforms such as snow-capped mountains, deserts, grasslands, and lakes, and multi-ethnic cultures such as Uyghur, Kazakh, and Mongolian blend here. But tourist destinations and attractions are far apart from each other. Before going to Xinjiang, you should have a good strategy to prepare for your trip, because the transportation to most places is relatively long. There are four main ways to visit Xinjiang now: airplane, self-driving, train, and long-distance bus. The first two ways are most suitable for travelers, and train travel is also one of the mainstream ways for many foreign tourists now, while the last way may become your nightmare because it will waste a lot of your time, comfort, and travel experience. Below we will give a brief introduction and suggestions on how to visit Xinjiang, hoping to help you travel to Xinjiang, China.
1. Traveling by plane in Xinjiang: suitable for tourists with limited time
Xinjiang currently has 22 civil airports, forming an aviation network centered on Urumqi and radiating throughout Xinjiang. Urumqi Diwopu International Airport basically operates flights to all other airports in Xinjiang except Turpan Jiaohe Airport. Tickets need to be purchased 2-3 weeks in advance during the peak season (June-October). In winter, pay attention to check whether the flight is adjusted due to weather. We recommend choosing a window seat to overlook the magnificent scenery of the Tianshan Snow Peaks and the Gobi Desert during takeoff and landing. Such a trip itself is also a perfect visual experience.
Major Domestic Flight Routes in Xinjiang
|
Route |
Frequency (Daily) |
Flight Duration |
|
Urumqi → Kashgar |
15 flights |
2 hours |
|
Urumqi → Yining (Ili) |
8 flights |
1 hour 10 min |
|
Urumqi → Kanas |
1 flight |
1.5 hours |
|
Urumqi → Hotan |
10+ flights |
2 hours |
2. Self-driving in Xinjiang: unlimited scenery, free travel
Self-driving is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful ways to explore Xinjiang. Winding along the Duku Highway, you will experience the wonderful experience of "four seasons in one day, different weather in ten miles"; driving in the Ili River Valley, watching the continuous lavender sea and the snow-capped mountains form a beautiful picture. We especially recommend self-driving in Xinjiang from June to September, when the grasslands are green, wild flowers are blooming, the Duku Highway is open to traffic, and the climate is pleasant. It is recommended to choose an SUV model, prepare sufficient dry food and drinking water, and download offline maps to deal with weak signals on some sections of the road. You can flexibly arrange stops along the way, have a picnic by the Sayram Lake, ride a horse on the Narat Grassland, or take pictures of the sunset at dusk on the "Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns" of Bayinbuluke. Make the journey an unforgettable memory.
Recommended Road Trips in Xinjiang
|
Route |
Driving Time |
Highlights |
|
Urumqi → Karamay (Urho) → Burqin (Colorful Beach) → Kanas |
1 day (including sightseeing) |
Desert landscapes, colorful rock formations, alpine lakes |
|
Kashgar → Tashkurgan |
1 day (including sightseeing) |
Pamir Plateau, Karakoram Highway, Stone City |
|
Ili (Sayram Lake) → Tekes → Kalajun Grassland |
Half-day (excluding stay in Tekes) |
Alpine lakes, winding mountain roads, vast grasslands |
|
Hotan → Taklamakan Desert Highway → Alaer |
440 km / 6 hours |
Epic desert crossing, dunes, oasis towns |
Recommended travel routes：
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3. Train travel: the most comfortable way to travel through Xinjiang
In Xinjiang, train travel is both economical and allows you to enjoy the magnificent scenery along the way. The Z-type direct express train reduces the time of the trip and improves the comfort of the trip. The most anticipated is the luxurious New Orient Express, which is China's top tourist train and is equipped with sightseeing cars, luxury boxes and exquisite dining. It stops at popular tourist attractions such as Kanas and Turpan along the way. In addition, the EMUs opened in Xinjiang in recent years have greatly shortened the travel time from Urumqi to Hami, Turpan and other places. The Gobi, snow-capped mountains and oases outside the window allow you to experience China's beautiful mountains and rivers in a comfortable environment.
Xinjiang Train Schedule (Partial)
|
Route |
Travel Time |
|
Urumqi → Turpan |
Intercity Train (C-train / Fuxing Hao): 1h10m |
|
Urumqi → Kashgar |
15.5-24 hours |
|
Urumqi → Hotan |
5.5-7 hours |
Recommended travel routes：
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Conclusion
In the vast land of Xinjiang, travelers have many options to choose from. Tourists with tight schedules can choose to travel by plane, which takes 1-2 hours to cross southern and northern Xinjiang; travelers who yearn for freedom can drive on scenic avenues such as the Duku Highway and take in the scenery along the way; and train travel, with its unique rhythm, allows you to feel the magnificent picture of Xinjiang through the window - whether it is an economical ordinary train or a luxurious and comfortable New Orient Express, it can become a mobile viewing platform.
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