Xinjiang is the largest provincial-level administrative region in China, spanning an area of 1,664,900 square kilometers (about 642,820 square miles). Located in the very far northwest of China, this vast land is home to rich natural landscapes and terrains and a diverse mix of ethnic groups. Due to its scattered attractions and uniqueness and diversities in climate, culture, religion and traditions, planning ahead and learning some insider tips seems so necessary to enhance your Xinjiang travel experience.
Is It Safe to Travel to Xinjiang?
Yes, traveling to Xinjiang is very safe thanks to its excellent public security. To offer visitors an unprecedented sense of safety during their travels, Xinjiang has implemented frequent police checkpoints and patrols in public areas. However, the same as visiting any new place, it is also advised to exercise reasonable precautions while visiting Xinjiang. It is beneficial for you to respect local customs, follow basic regulations, prepare appropriate clothing based on the destination and season, pay attention to food hygiene, etc.
Good to known: Given the strict security controls, you’d better book or register tickets for tourist attractions and hotels in advance under your real name. Carrying your passport, visa or other essential travel documents is also necessary when traveling in Xinjiang.
Do I Need a Permit to Visit Xinjiang?
No, currently visitors don’t need a special visa or permit to enter Xinjiang. No further documentation will be required when you enter Xinjiang as long as you have a valid passport and a valid Chinese visa.
However, in certain areas near international borders, foreign tourists will be not allowed to access or required to provide a travel permit. These areas include Baihaba Village, Khunjerab Pass, Horgos Port, Duku Hignway (some sections are restricted), Hejing County, Luobu Village, and Bayinbuluke.
Traveling independently in Xinjiang is allowed, just make sure to book hotels that can accommodate foreign guests.
Are There Any Customs and Taboos of Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang?
- Apart from the Mongolian and Han ethnic groups, most ethnic minorities in Xinjiang don’t eat pork. Please avoid mentioning pork or bringing pork products when eating in a local restaurant.
- Don’t stare at Uyghur people or their items in bazaars for a long time without buying, as this behavior is considered disrespectful due to their religious beliefs.
- Don’t wear revealing or overly short clothing in public.
- Please don’t shake off the water after washing hands or face, as this is considered disrespectful.
- Remove your shoes when entering a Uyghur home or a mosque, and never disturb ongoing religious activities.
- Always ask for permission before photographing local ethnic minorities.
- Some ethnic groups believe stepping on or over food is disrespectful and will bring back luck.
- In halal restaurants, smoking and drinking alcohol are usually not allowed.
Discover more about Xinjiang at Fun, Weird & Interesting Facts about Xinjiang
How to Pay When Traveling Xinjiang?
Like most regions in China, mobile payments such as WeChat Pay and Alipay are ubiquitous in Xinjiang. International bank cards, such as UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, and JCB are also widely accepted by merchants in major airports, hotels, and tourist attractions.
Bringing some CNY cash is still necessary in case some little restaurants, or scenic spots only accept cash. And the weak signals in some mountainous areas may make mobile payments not possible. >>Learn How to Pay in China As a Foreigner
What are the Must-visit Attractions When Traveling Xinjiang for the First Time?
Xinjiang is vast and boasts a wide variety of attractions. You may take over two months to explore all its iconic sights. A practical way is to visit Northern Xinjiang and Southern Xinjiang separately based on your preferences.
In general, Northern Xinjiang is characterized by its dramatic landscapes of canyons, deserts, yardangs, plateaus, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, dreamy lakes, and profound Tuva nomadic culture. Top attractions in Northern Xinjiang include:
- The most beautiful lakes: Kanas Lake, Sayram Lake, Heavenly Lake;
- Ruva nomadic life experience in Hemu Village;
- The vast Ili Grasslandswhich is composed of Nalati, Bayinbuluke, Kalajun, Tangbula, etc.
- Otherworldly yardang landforms in Karamay Urho Ghost City;
- Mineral deposits and peculiar seismic fault zones in Koktokay National Geopark.
Southern Xinjiang is home to many ethnic minorities and a major route on the ancient Silk Road, featuring rich history, vibrant ethnic culture and agricultural civilization, and bleak desert and Gobis. Must-visit attractions in Southern Xinjiang include:
- Karshgar Old City offering deep insights into Uyghur culture and life;
- Sunday Livestock Bazaar where you can see unique trading methods of Uyghur people;
- One of the highest towns in the world, Stone City in Tashkurgan;
- Tuyu Valley, home to the oldest Uyghur village in Xinjiang;
- Jiaohe Ruins, the oldest earth building city in the world;
- Karez Well, the remarkable ancient irrigation system that is still used in Turpan today.
What to Eat in Xinjiang? – Top Xinjiang Cuisine
Xinjiang cuisine is dominated by beef and lamb dishes and features rich, spicy, and salty flavors. Fully vegetarian restaurants are rarely seen in Xinjiang. Typically, chefs in Xinjiang prepare most cuisines with dried chili peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Please inform the chef in advance if you don’t like spicy food or have any special requirements.
Some of the most popular Xinjiang foods include:
- Whole Roast Lamb: Prepared by marinating the lamb with special seasonings before roasting it in the tandoor. Features a golden-brown and crispy outside and tender and juicy inside.
- Xinjiang Big Plate Chicken (Danpanji): By stewing chicken pieces and potatoes together, the dish features a smooth, spicy, and flavorful taste, and is usually served with naan and belt noodles.
- Uyghur Lamb Pilaf (Shouzhuafan): This beloved dish is also popular in Central and Western Asia. It is prepared by sautéing onions, carrot strips, and lamb chunks, then steaming these ingredients with washed rice.
- Hand-pulled Noodles: A traditional noodles dish in Xinjiang that is usually served with a spicy meat sauce.
- Naan: A baked bread that can be paired with various dishes.
- Fruits: As the “Land of Fruits”, Xinjiang’s abundant sunshine, and strong solar radiation contribute to its extremely sweet and juicy fruits.
How is the Weather in Xinjiang?
There are two popular says showing the essence of Xinjiang weather and climate: “Wear a fur coat in the morning and gauze in the afternoon, eat watermelon by the stove”, and “Different weather every hundred miles, four seasons in one day”.
Xinjiang is far from the oceans and is surrounded by high mountains, enjoying a typical temperate continental climate. It is a place suffering significant diurnal and seasonal temperature variations, and receiving low precipitation. Furthermore, its abundant sunshine and high evaporation rate led to its extremely dry air throughout the year.
When is the Best Time to Visit Xinjiang?
The best time to visit Xinjiang varies depending on your preferences and destinations. Generally, the best time to visit Northern Xinjiang falls between July and October, and between May and October in Southern Xinjiang.
Best times to visit certain attractions and regions in Xinjiang:
- Kanas: June to August is the best time to admire the lush grasslands and forests; September to October is more stunning for its breathtaking autumn colors. Temperatures during these periods are also comfortable. >>See Places to Enjoy Stunning Autumn Scenes in Xinjiang.
- Ili: The best visiting time usually falls between June and August. June and July are the ideal months to immerse in lush meadows and blooming flowers. July is especially recommended for the blooming lavender fields. August is the harvest season and will reward you with diverse fruits.
- Kashgar Old City: May to October when the weather is pleasant to explore its ancient alleys.
- Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain: June to October, when the surrounding landscapes are at their lushest and the temperature is comfortable for outdoor activities.
- Apricot Blossom Viewing: The best time for apricot blossoms is from mid-March to mid-April, but slightly varies in different regions. In Ili, the peak season is from late March to early April, while in Nalati Grassland, it is from mid-April to early May.
How Many Days Should I Plan for a Xinjiang Tour?
It is recommended to spend around 8-10 days to explore the essence of either Southern or Northern Xinjiang. Due to its vast and scattered attractions, it is challenging to explore Xinjiang on a short trip. We thus recommend traveling just one part of Xinjiang (according to your preferences) in one trip if your vacation time is limited.
If you want to explore both Southern and Northern regions in one trip, it’s best to plan for at least 12-15 days for an enjoyable experience.
Recommended Xinjiang Tours:
- Best 10 Days Northern Xinjiang Scenic Tour
- 9 Days Southern Xinjiang Adventure Tour
- 12 Days Xinjiang Silk Road Tour for Nature and Culture Tracing
These tours are for your reference. Please feel free to contact us to customize your perfect Xinjiang trip based on your interests and schedule.
Related reading: How to Plan a Trip to Xinjiang
What to Pack for a Xinjiang Tour?
- Essential documents: Your valid passport, visa, etc.
- Footwear: A single pair of sturdy boots or hiking shoes will be enough for the entire trip. For easier outfit coordination, you can bring one or two more pairs. Just remember to limit the total to no more than three pairs to avoid overpacking your luggage.
- Sun protection: Sun protection is essential due to the strong UV rays in Xinjiang. So, carry a small bottle of sunscreen in your bag for convenient reapplications. In addition, sunblock clothes sunglasses and hats are also essential.
- Dental floss: In case the lamb and beef can get stuck in your teeth.
- Clothes: Considering the large diurnal and regional temperature difference, a down jacket or thick waterproof jacket with a removable liner is needed in all seasons. Bring long-sleeved clothes and comfortable long pants even in summer. Layering your clothes is an efficient way to suit all weather conditions.
- Practical bags: A backpack is more practical to carry essentials and little items like sunscreen, snacks, water bottles, etc.
- Raincoat: A raincoat is more useful than an umbrella due to the frequent strong winds.
- Snacks: Because of long journeys to many attractions.
- Essential medications: Such as motion sickness pills, cold medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other necessary medicines.
- Moisturizing: Moisturizer, lip balm, and body lotion are essential to combat the dry climate.
- Nail clippers: A Xinjiang tour usually takes many days, and the dry climate may cause hangnails.
What are the Accommodation Conditions Like in Xinjiang?
The accommodation conditions vary significantly across different travel destinations. In general, accommodation facilities in Xinjiang are not of the standard as in well-developed cities. So please manage your expectations accordingly.
- Major cities like Urumqi and Yining offer a diverse range of accommodation options (from budget-friendly to high-end starred) to cater to various traveler needs.
- Hotan, Korla, Karamay, and Kuqa as transit points also offer relatively well-developed accommodation facilities.
- In Kashgar Ancient Town, most accommodations are traditional inns converted from old houses.
- Nalati Town is where you can enjoy immersive grassland experiences in either resorts or grassland tents.
- The charming wooden inns in Hemu Village are a can’t-miss when traveling the Kanas Scenic Area. These inns offer the Tuva life experience, a great viewing platform, and high-quality services.
- Bayinbuluk Town sees relatively few hotel options.
- Accommodation in Sayram Lake scenic area is dominated by RVs. Hotels are relatively further from the lake.
- In Turpan, accommodation options are also limited and are mostly traditional guesthouses.
How to Get to and Travel around Xinjiang?
The most convenient way to get to Xinjiang is to fly directly to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport. Or, you can fly to Lanzhou before transferring to a high-speed train to Urumqi.
The Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway and Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-speed Railway make it convenient to reach Urumqi by train from any city along the way.
Xinjiang has the most airports in China. From Urumqi, there are frequent flights to other destinations within the province, such as Kanas, Ili, and Kashgar. Turpan and Urumqi are connected by high-speed rail, allowing visitors a fast and comfortable transfer.
To some remote areas that can’t be reached by public transportation, chartering a car, self-driving, or booking a tour from a reliable travel agency is more chosen.
Other Useful Xinjiang Travel Tips You Should Know
- Please prepare for long journeys during your travel in Xinjiang, given the vast distances between attractions. But, the journey itself is enjoyable thanks to the beautiful scenery along the way.
- Most cities and regions have Wi-Fi available, but in some remote areas, the network signal may be weak. So don’t forget to download the maps in advance.
- Though Xinjiang uses Beijing Time, its daily life and activities are actually about 2 hours later than other cities in China, typically running from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Please adjust your schedule accordingly.
- Autumn season in Xinjiang is quite short, and the best time for autumn foliage usually falls between mid-September to early October.
- Most Xinjiang dishes are generous portions, so be mindful and not to over-order.
- For those who want a desert adventure or hiking, consider joining a tour arranged by a professional operator. Some remote areas may have scarce food and water, and no signal, making traveling alone risky.
- High altitude sickness is not a serious concern in most regions, except the Pamir Plateau region.
- You may encounter many security checks in Xinjiang. Just take it easy, as these checks are just like regular checks in train stations and airports.
Traveling in Xinjiang can be a rewarding and unforgettable experience if you’re well-prepared and informed. By following these tips and guidelines, you can enjoy all that Xinjiang has to offer while minimizing any risks. So pack your bags and get ready for an adventure in one of China’s most captivating regions!
