Xinjiang

Vibrant Silk Road crossroads of ancient cultures

Xinjiang spans vast deserts and rugged mountains in western China. The region is home to diverse cultures, with Uyghur traditions shaping daily life through music, food and language. Its landscapes include the flats of the Taklamakan Desert and snow-capped peaks along the Tien Shan range. Ancient trade routes once passed here, leaving behind caravanserais and historic towns that still stand today. Modern cities like Urumqi offer markets filled with spices and textiles. The area’s unique geography creates wide temperature swings between seasons, making it distinct from much of China.

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Region in China

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 4.5

General Safety:	4
Health & medical:	4
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	7

Read details

2/5

In Xinjiang, English is limited; most locals speak Mandarin or Uyghur. Tourists will find basic signs and tourist spots helpful, but a guide or translation app greatly improves communication.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Xinjiang Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Outstanding for Silk Road history and diverse landscapes. Explore ancient bazaars, visit desert oases, hike mountain valleys and experience unique regional cuisine.

Place score

7.6

Best at:

Historic sites

Mountains

Deserts

Rivers

Street food

Personal score

Suited for

👶 3

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 6

Couples

💻 6

Digital Nomads

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Xinjiang, China

❄️

Jan

❄️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	June - Oct.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - Feb., April - May, Dec.
Crowdedness:	2 (Few tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Climate and season vary by area: Tian Shan, Kanas and Ili best June to September, Turpan and the Taklamakan desert best April to May and September to October, northern ski areas January to February

Karakoram Highway (Kashgar to Pakistan) usually open April to October, Khunjerab Pass closes in winter

Turpan summer temperatures often exceed 40°C, July and August are too hot for sightseeing there

Foreign visitors may face frequent police checkpoints, ID checks and restricted areas

Don't miss

🐪 Ride a camel across the Taklamakan Desert
🏰 Explore the ancient Silk Road city of Kashgar
🌅 Stroll through Turpan's Jiaohe ruins at sunrise
🍢 Taste Xinjiang lamb kebabs in Urumqi bazaar
🏔️ Visit the stunning Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)

You've been here?

Why travel to Xinjiang?

Xinjiang offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage that appeals to travelers seeking depth beyond the typical tourist trail. The region’s vast steppes, towering Tian Shan mountains and the dramatic Taklamakan Desert provide striking landscapes for hiking, photography and wildlife observation. Visitors can explore the ancient Silk Road cities – Kashgar, Turpan and Urumqi – where historic caravanserais, bustling bazaars and well-preserved mosques reveal layers of history from Persian to Mongol influences. Culinary experiences in Xinjiang are distinct; local dishes such as hand‑made lamb kebabs, naan bread and fragrant cumin rice showcase the region’s nomadic roots. Sampling tea at a traditional Uyghur tea house offers insight into daily life and hospitality. Cultural festivals, like the International Silk Road Festival, celebrate music, dance and crafts that reflect the area’s ethnic diversity. For those interested in sustainable travel, Xinjiang’s growing eco‑tourism initiatives allow visitors to engage responsibly with fragile desert ecosystems while supporting local communities. Guided tours of the Flaming Mountains or the ancient ruins at Jiaohe provide educational context about geology and archaeology. Overall, Xinjiang invites travelers to experience a landscape that is both expansive and intimate, where history, culture and nature intertwine in everyday life.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Kashgar
This ancient oasis city in Xinjiang's Tarim Basin features historic mosques, bustling bazaars and dramatic desert landscapes. Kashgar preserves Central Asian traditions within its fortified walls and vibrant markets that echo centuries of trade routes.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Old City (currently closed for repairs)
2 Grape Valley
3 Kanas Lake
4 Taklamakan Desert

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Knowledge before you go

Carry passport copies; Xinjiang requires ID checks at many sites.
Use local SIM cards for reliable internet, as some rural areas have weak coverage and limited Wi-Fi hotspots.
Respect local customs by removing shoes before entering homes or mosques; this gesture shows cultural sensitivity.
Explore the Taklamakan Desert at dawn for sunrise photography, but bring ample water and sun protection due to extreme temperatures.

How to travel to Xinjiang

Access to Xinjiang, a region in northwest China, is primarily through air and rail networks from major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Urumqi. The nearest international gateway is Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, which connects to select global destinations. High-speed rail services link Xinjiang’s key urban centers like Kashgar, Hotan and Korla with the national railway system, facilitating domestic travel. Road access includes major highways such as the Lanzhou–Xinjiang Expressway, enabling private vehicle journeys from eastern China. Border crossings at Khorgos and Kashgar provide entry points to Central Asia via Kazakhstan. Travel within Xinjiang relies on local buses and taxis for shorter distances between towns and rural areas.

Access summary

From Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC): Taxi to city center, 30–45 min.
From Kashgar Airport (KSG): Bus or taxi to Kashgar Old Town, 20–25 min; from Karamay Airport (KRY) to Karamay City, 15–20 min.
By train: Urumqi to Kashgar via Xinjiang Railway, 12–14 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Xinjiang

Xinjiang offers a wide spectrum of accommodations ranging from modest guesthouses to luxury resorts, catering to both budget travelers and those seeking opulence. In Urumqi, you’ll find modern apartments and boutique hotels that blend contemporary design with local motifs, while the historic Old Town hosts traditional inns where guests can experience Uyghur hospitality. The vast desert landscapes around Turpan feature eco-lodges built from adobe and stone, providing a rustic yet comfortable stay amid ancient ruins. In Kashgar, caravanserais have been renovated into stylish guesthouses that echo Silk Road heritage. For those desiring privacy, many rural villages offer homestays with local families, offering authentic cuisine and cultural immersion at affordable rates.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

The Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel

9.1

Grand Mercure Urumqi Hualing Hotel

8.3

Radisson Blue Hotel Kashgar

Dunhuang Grand Soluxe Hotel

7.9

Atour Hotel Urumqi International Bazaar People's Cinema

9.2

Silk Road Lodges

8.2

Holiday Inn Express Urumqi Station By IHG

8.7

Qiniwak Hotel

8.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Xinjiang

Xinjiang, China’s vast western region, is best explored using a mix of trains and buses due to its expansive terrain. The Lanzhou–Xinjiang High-Speed Railway connects major cities like Urumqi and Kashgar efficiently, while intercity buses serve smaller towns and scenic areas. For remote destinations such as the Taklamakan Desert or Kanas Lake, hiring a private car with a driver is recommended for flexibility. Local taxis are affordable in urban centers, but rural routes often rely on shared vans or minibuses. Renting a car offers freedom to navigate Xinjiang’s rugged landscapes, though road conditions vary. Always check seasonal accessibility, especially in mountainous regions where winter snow may limit travel options.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-76 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 76% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£22	£40	£116
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£8	£20	£62
🍝 Food per day	£12	£18	£49
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£2	£5

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£6
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.10
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.40
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.20
☕ Cappuccino	£2.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.65

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.19
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£2.80
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.80

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.80
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£19
🤧 Cold medication	£12
💇 Basic haircut	£3.10

Safety information overview

General safety

Xinjiang remains largely safe for travelers, with low crime rates and well‑patrolled tourist sites. Visitors should stay informed of local regulations, avoid sensitive areas, respect cultural norms and keep valuables secure to ensure a smooth, worry‑free visit.

Health & Medical

Xinjiang offers modern medical facilities in major cities like Urumqi and Kashgar, with well‑trained staff and English‑speaking doctors. Travelers should stay hydrated, avoid street food to reduce gastrointestinal risks, monitor air quality during dust storms and carry travel insurance for peace of mind.

Accessibility

Xinjiang offers mixed accessibility: major cities like Urumqi have modern public transport and wheelchair‑friendly facilities, yet rural areas lack infrastructure. Signage is often in Chinese only and some historic sites are uneven or inaccessible. Travelers should plan ahead for mobility needs.

Tap water

In Xinjiang, tap water is generally safe for drinking after municipal treatment, though some rural areas still rely on bottled or filtered supplies. Public fountains are common in cities and most hotels provide potable tap water, making hydration convenient.