Xinjiang 新疆 — The Silk Road's Living Heart
Xinjiang is China's largest province-level region — roughly the size of Alaska — and its most culturally distinct. Home to Uyghur, Kazakh, Tajik, and other ethnic groups, Xinjiang sits at the crossroads of Central Asia, offering a travel experience unlike anywhere else in China. Silk Road cities, vast deserts, alpine lakes, and grasslands where nomadic herders still tend their flocks make this an extraordinary destination.
Urumqi 乌鲁木齐 — The Starting Point
Xinjiang's capital is a modern city and the main transit hub. The Xinjiang Regional Museum is a must-visit for understanding the region's Silk Road heritage.
Xinjiang Regional Museum 新疆维吾尔自治区博物馆
Home to the famous "Beauty of Loulan" mummy — a 3,800-year-old Caucasian woman found in the Taklamakan Desert. The Silk Road artifacts collection is outstanding.
Free with ID/passport. Open: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed Mondays). Metro: Xinjiang Museum Station (Line 1).
Grand Bazaar 国际大巴扎
A tourist-oriented market selling carpets, silk, jade, dried fruits, and handicrafts. The Islamic architecture is photogenic. Go for the atmosphere, but prices are inflated — bargain hard.
Free entry. Metro: Nanmen Station (Line 1).
Kashgar 喀什 — The Soul of the Silk Road
Kashgar (Kashi in Chinese) is Xinjiang's most atmospheric city. The Old City with its maze-like streets, mud-brick houses, and central mosque feels like stepping into a Central Asian trading post from centuries ago. Kashgar has been a key Silk Road hub for over 2,000 years.
Kashgar Old City 喀什古城
A living neighborhood where Uyghur families have resided for generations. Narrow streets, handcrafted doors, children playing, the smell of baking bread — this is authentic Kashgar. The area has been partially renovated but retains its character.
Free. Access: Fly from Urumqi (2 hours) or overnight train (16-18 hours). Karakoram Highway to Pakistan starts from Kashgar.
Id Kah Mosque 艾提尕尔清真寺
China's largest mosque, built in 1442, capable of holding 20,000 worshipers. The yellow-tiled facade is iconic. Non-Muslims can visit outside prayer times.
Admission: 45 RMB. Open: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (closed during Friday prayers).
Livestock Market (周日巴扎)
One of Central Asia's most colorful Sunday markets — traders buy and sell sheep, cattle, horses, and camels. Raw, authentic, and unforgettable. Located in Yengisar County, 20 km from Kashgar (Sunday only).
Turpan 吐鲁番 — Desert Oasis
Turpan sits in a depression 154 meters below sea level — China's lowest point and one of the hottest places on Earth (summer temps exceed 50°C). Despite the heat, it's an agricultural miracle sustained by the ancient karez (地下渠道) irrigation system — underground water channels bringing snowmelt from the mountains.
Jiaohe Ancient City 交河故城
A 2,000-year-old ruined city carved directly from the loess earth. The largest and oldest earthen city in the world. Walk through streets, courtyards, and a Buddhist monastery carved into the ground.
Admission: 70 RMB. Open: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM. 10 km from Turpan city.
Grape Valley 葡萄沟
A lush valley producing Xinjiang's famous seedless grapes. Visit in August-September during harvest. The drying rooms (晾房) with their distinctive brick walls are photogenic.
Admission: 60 RMB. Open: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM (summer). Access: High-speed train from Urumqi (1 hour).
Ili / Yili 伊犁 — The Blue Valley
Northern Xinjiang's most beautiful region, known for its vast grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and Kazakh nomadic culture. Best visited June-August when wildflowers blanket the meadows.
Sayram Lake 赛里木湖
Xinjiang's most beautiful alpine lake — crystal blue water at 2,073 meters elevation, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and wildflower meadows. The "last tear of the Atlantic" — so-called because it's the farthest point moisture reaches from the Atlantic Ocean.
Admission: 70 RMB. Open: All day. Access: 600 km from Urumqi; drive 8 hours or fly to Yining then drive 1.5 hours.
Kalajun Grassland 喀拉峻草原
A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring rolling grasslands that resemble ocean waves when viewed from above. Best visited in June-July for wildflowers. Horseback riding available.
Admission: 140 RMB (full scenic area). Located near Tekes County, 100 km from Yining.
Food Highlights
- Hand-grabbed Mutton 手抓羊肉: Boiled mutton served with naan bread
- Lagman 拉条子: Hand-pulled noodles with stir-fried vegetables and mutton
- Polo 抓饭: Pilaf-style rice with carrots, mutton, and raisins
- Naan 馕: Central Asian flatbread, baked in clay ovens
- Kebabs 烤肉: Lamb skewers with cumin and chili
- Milk tea 奶茶: Salty butter tea, a Kazakh staple
- Fresh fruits: Turpan grapes, Hami melons, Korla pears
Practical Information
Size: Xinjiang is enormous. Distances between cities are huge. Flying between cities saves days of driving.
Classic Route: Urumqi (1 day) → Turpan (1-2 days, day trip possible) → Fly to Kashgar (2-3 days) → Fly to Yining/Ili (2-3 days) = 7-10 days.
Transportation: Urumqi Diwopu International (URC) is the main airport. High-speed rail connects Urumqi-Turpan. Flights to Kashgar (2h) and Yining (1.5h). Road trips between cities take 8-15+ hours.
Climate: Extreme continental climate. Summer: very hot in Turpan, pleasant in Ili. Winter: brutally cold everywhere. Best travel: May-October.
Altitude: Most areas are below 2,000m. Sayram Lake and some grasslands are 2,000-3,000m.