Before I visited Xinjiang, the only image that came to mind was desert.
Endless golden sands.
But as I started researching, I realized how limited that impression was.
Xinjiang turned out to be so much more — a land bursting with colors, flavors, and layers of culture.
From Aksu apples and Korla pears to juicy pomegranates, apricots, plums, honey melons, and watermelons — fruits here taste like sunshine.
The food scene is just as vibrant: hand-pulled noodles, chili chicken, thick yogurt, lamb and beef skewers grilled over open flames.
And then, the landscapes — an astonishing mix of canyons, grasslands, glaciers, and deserts. You’ll see yaks, goats, and sheep roaming freely under wide blue skies. It’s also a place with a deep and tangled history: nomads, kingdoms, the Silk Road, migrations, religion, and trade that shaped cities that rose and fell over centuries.
Before we even stepped foot in Xinjiang, I knew this trip would surprise us.
Our Travel Plan
Our route took us through the southern part of Xinjiang —
Kashgar → Tashkurgan → Shache → Moyu → Hotan → Kuqa → Turpan,
and finally we wrapped up in Beijing.
To us, Xinjiang felt exotic and unknown, so we spent weeks reading, planning, and preparing. In the end, the trip went surprisingly smoothly — and honestly, we had so much fun.
What We Learned Along the Way
🗣️ Language
The biggest ethnic group here are the Uyghurs, so Uyghur is the local language you’ll hear most. Almost everyone speaks Mandarin, except for some elderly people. In those cases, we relied on translator apps or asked younger locals to help.
We even met one or two locals who were so excited to practice their English with us (one in a carpet shop in Kashgar, if I remember right). English isn’t widely spoken, but smiles and gestures go a long way.
In some areas, you’ll hear other minority languages, like Tajik, though to be honest, we couldn’t always tell which language we were hearing — that’s how beautifully diverse this place is.
👥 Who You’ll See Traveling
Xinjiang isn’t like Beijing or Shanghai — it’s not packed with foreign tourists. During our three weeks here, we saw maybe ten Caucasian tourists, a few Thai groups, and some Malaysians.
Most travelers were local Chinese tourists, which gave us the feeling of really being somewhere off the beaten path.
From our research, Northern Xinjiang seems more popular (with routes like Urumqi, Kanas, and Ili), while Southern Xinjiang feels quieter, more raw, and deeply cultural.
🌏 Geography & Distance
Xinjiang is massive — it covers roughly one-sixth of China’s entire land area, about the size of Western Europe.
Travel distances are long. A city to another can easily be 300 km apart. You’ll find highways and trains connecting major cities, but don’t underestimate how much time you’ll spend on the road.
If I could give one piece of advice: don’t try to rush Xinjiang.
Stay longer in each place rather than hopping between cities every day — otherwise, you’ll end up spending most of your trip inside a car or train.
Some travelers do 14-day tours across both North and South Xinjiang, or 7–8 days focusing on one region. It’s totally up to your energy level — just beware of travel fatigue.
Geographically, Xinjiang has it all —
- The vast Taklamakan Desert,
- Snow-capped Tianshan and Kunlun Mountains,
- Canyons, grasslands, and glaciers,
- Ancient oasis towns surrounded by orchards and poplar trees.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Xinjiang feels like several countries inside one region.
🚕 Transport Within Cities
Inside cities, taxis are your best friend. They’re affordable, easy to hail, and most use meters. We used local ride-hailing apps sometimes (which offered small discounts), but honestly, even street taxis were fine.
Out of maybe a dozen rides, only one or two didn’t use the meter — and even then, it was just a few yuan more. So overall, taxis in Xinjiang are reliable and convenient.
For attractions outside the city, you might have to plan a little more — some spots are hard to reach without a private car or joining a local tour.
✈️🚆 Long-Distance Travel
There are a few ways to move between cities:
✈️ Flights:
Easily the most comfortable way. Inner-city flights in Xinjiang are frequent, and sometimes you can even find cheap last-minute tickets. They save so much time compared to other options.
🚆 Trains:
Trains are economical and good for short rides (1–4 hours). But for overnight or 8-hour journeys, I personally found them less comfortable — especially the older ones.
We tried a few shorter train rides early on, but after that, we switched to flying because:
- Our luggage was heavy, and
- It’s not easy to find overhead space on crowded trains.
🚗 Car rentals / tours:
Driving yourself can be great if you have a license (and confidence with long distances). Hiring a driver is an option too, but for just two people, the price wasn’t worth it. For a group of four, it might make more sense.
🚌 Buses:
They exist, but they’re tricky. In Hotan, for example, there were several bus stations — and it took me forever to figure out which one was correct. Online info is limited, so if you’re up for a bit of an adventure, go for it — otherwise, flights and trains are easier.
🏨 Hotels & Booking Tips
Hotels in Xinjiang are very reasonably priced.
Most cities offer good mid-range hotels around ¥300–¥350 per night for two people.
In remote areas like Tashkurgan, however, not every hotel accepts foreigners (some are for locals only). I booked everything in advance, but because we adjusted our stay in each city, I rebooked a few times — and that was fine, since many hotels allow free cancellation before 6 PM on the day of check-in.
Check-in times are usually from 12:00 PM, and check-out is between 12:00–2:00 PM.
We visited in September, and rooms were easy to find even when booking last minute. In peak seasons or small villages, though, you might want to secure accommodation earlier.
One of the best hotels we stayed in was Kuqa Hotel (Building 1) — the hospitality there was amazing.
They even sent a plate of fruit to our room, offered free airport pickup, and served a surprisingly delicious breakfast.
👕 What to Pack
Xinjiang’s weather is dry and sunny, so bring:
- Sunscreen (lots of it!)
- Lip balm & moisturizer
- Hat or scarf to block the sun
- Nasal spray or mist, because the air can get quite dry
🔋 Power Bank Restrictions in China
This might be something many travelers overlook — but power banks are strictly regulated in China, so it’s worth paying attention before your trip!
China enforces strict rules: only power banks with local CCC (China Compulsory Certification) and capacity below 20,000mAh are allowed through train stations and airport security checks. Anything above the limit or without proper certification will be confiscated on the spot.
I actually lost one of my favorite power banks during my transfer flight from Beijing to Kashgar 😭 — they’re really strict about it, so don’t make the same mistake I did.
If you’re planning to travel around China extensively, the safest and easiest option is to buy a locally certified power bank once you arrive. They’re affordable, widely available, and you can find many options in electronics stores, malls, or even convenience shops.
Of course, if you really want to keep your current one, you can ship it by courier, but that tends to be a hassle and costs extra. Honestly, the simplest way is just not to bring one at all — buy a local power bank when you arrive and save yourself the stress!
☀️ Weather
We went in September, and it felt perfect.
It’s desert weather — cool mornings and evenings, hot during the day, but never unbearable. The heat in midday can be strong, so I recommend going back to your room for a rest between 12–3 PM.
It barely rains in Southern Xinjiang — in our three weeks there, we didn’t experience a single drop.
🌸 Final Thoughts
Xinjiang turned out to be one of the most fascinating regions I’ve ever visited.
It’s not just the food or the landscapes — it’s the sense of being somewhere ancient, where cultures, religions, and histories have intertwined for thousands of years.
From the bustle of Kashgar’s old city to the quiet mountain roads of Tashkurgan, from fragrant melons in Hotan to the glowing sands of the desert at sunset — every stop was a story.
If you’re thinking about visiting Xinjiang — go.
Do your research, take your time, and let the journey unfold.
It’s not an easy trip, but it’s a journey you’ll never forget.
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