Xinjiang Travel Guides
Source-checked city travel guides in Xinjiang: attractions, itineraries, local food, and practical tips.
Aksu Travel Guide: Oasis City, Kizil Caves and Tian Shan
Aksu travel guide: the oasis city at the foot of the Tian Shan, its markets and food, how to reach the Kizil Caves and Kuqa, the best season and a 2–3 day plan.
Altay Travel Guide: Kanas Lake, Hemu and Burqin Staging
Altay travel guide: how far Kanas and Hemu really are from Altay city, when to base in Burqin, Colorful Beach as an optional stop, and a 3–5 day plan.
Hami Travel Guide: Melon Oasis and Corridor Gate
Hami travel guide: oasis evening walks, Hami Museum, melon-season tips, and a practical eastern Xinjiang corridor stop between Dunhuang and Turpan.
Hotan Travel Guide: Jade, Silk and the Sunday Bazaar
Hotan (Khotan) travel guide: White Jade River jade, Atlas silk workshops, the Sunday bazaar, rail and air links, Xinjiang practicalities and a 2-day plan.
Ili Travel Guide: Sayram Lake, Nalati and Yining
Ili (Yili) travel guide: Sayram Lake as a day trip, a night at Nalati grassland, Yining's food streets, Huiyuan's Qing fort, transport and a 5-day plan.
Karamay Travel Guide: Ghost City Yardang, Black Oil Mountain
Karamay travel guide: the World Ghost City yardangs 100 km north, Black Oil Mountain's bubbling asphalt, the No. 1 Well, the city river and a 2-day plan.
Kashgar Travel Guide: Old City, Id Kah Mosque, Sunday Market
Kashgar travel guide: walking the rebuilt Old City, visiting Id Kah Mosque respectfully, the Sunday livestock market, Apak Hoja Tomb, the Pamir road and 3 days.
Korla Travel Guide: Peacock River, Bosten Lake, Iron Gate
Korla travel guide: dusk walks on the Peacock River, a day at Bosten Lake, the Iron Gate Pass, fragrant pears, trains on the Tarim Basin loop and a 2-day plan.
Shihezi Travel Guide: Corps Museum, Liangpi and a Day Trip
Shihezi travel guide: the 1-hour train from Urumqi, the free Corps Military Reclamation Museum (closed Mondays), the old sugar mill quarter and liangpi.
Turpan Travel Guide: Jiaohe, Emin Minaret, Flaming Mountains
Turpan travel guide: Jiaohe and Gaochang ruins at dawn, the 44 m Emin Minaret, Flaming Mountains, free Grape Valley, karez, 2026 tickets and beating the heat.
Urumqi Travel Guide: Xinjiang Museum, Bazaar and Tianchi
Urumqi travel guide: the free Xinjiang Museum and its mummies, Red Hill, the Grand Bazaar after dark, a full day at Tianchi, 2026 tickets, metro and trains.