Xinjiang Travel Guide

Dear family, who can resist Xinjiang! Before going, Xinjiang was just a name in geography books; after visiting, Xinjiang became the eternal bright light in my heart. Here you’ll find vast grasslands, crystal-clear lakes, continuous snow-capped mountains, and warm-hearted people—it’s like a real-life fairy tale world. Today, I’m sharing my treasured Xinjiang travel guide with you all to start this dreamy journey together 🎈

Preparation Battle 🎒

Documents

ID card is definitely a must-have, like a clearance token in a game. If you plan to visit some border areas, such as the Horgos Port or Taxkorgan County, you’ll also need to apply for a border pass, which can be obtained for free at the local government service center.

Clothing and Gear

Xinjiang’s weather is like a mischievous child—you can experience all four seasons in one day. If you go in summer, short sleeves and shorts are essential, but also bring a thick jacket, sweater, and long pants to guard against the nighttime chill. Choose a pair of comfortable sneakers for long walks. Sun protection gear is crucial: sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing—wrap yourself up like a “sun protection dumpling” and you won’t regret it.

Medicine List

Prepare some common medicines such as cold medicine, fever reducers, stomach medicine, motion sickness pills, and insect bite remedies. Also bring altitude sickness medicine; although most of Xinjiang is not high altitude, some mountainous areas may still cause altitude sickness.

Other Small Items

Bring a high-capacity power bank—Xinjiang is vast and sparsely populated, and charging spots are hard to find. A camera is a great companion to capture beautiful scenery; don’t forget extra memory cards and batteries. A thermos cup is also very useful to have hot water anytime.

Itinerary Highlights 🚗

Ten-Day In-Depth Tour

Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi, start the food journey

Arrive in Urumqi, find a place to settle in and rest well. In the evening, visit the International Grand Bazaar, which is like a huge treasure market full of various Xinjiang specialty goods. Try grilled lamb skewers, nang pit meat, hand-pulled rice, and other delicacies to treat your taste buds to a feast.
📍 International Grand Bazaar: Xinjiang’s largest bazaar, full of rich ethnic flavor.
💰 Cost: Food per person 50 - 100 RMB

Day 2: Urumqi - Tianshan Tianchi - Fukang

Head to Tianshan Tianchi, a fairyland-like place with azure lake waters surrounded by mountains. You can take a boat tour on the lake to enjoy the stunning scenery.
📍 Tianshan Tianchi: About 110 km from Urumqi, approximately 2 hours by car.
💰 Cost: Entrance ticket 95 RMB, shuttle bus 60 RMB, boat ticket 80 RMB

Day 3: Fukang - Koktokay - Fuyun

Travel to Koktokay, where you’ll find spectacular canyons, clear rivers, and unique rock formations. Visit Koktokay Geological Park to experience nature’s wonders.
📍 Koktokay: About 500 km from Fukang, approximately 7 hours by car.
💰 Cost: Entrance ticket 90 RMB, shuttle bus 36 RMB

Day 4: Fuyun - Five-Color Beach - Burqin

Arrive at Five-Color Beach, where the rocks display dazzling colors under the sunlight, like a magnificent oil painting. In the evening, enjoy grilled fish and other delicacies at Burqin’s night market.
📍 Five-Color Beach: About 320 km from Fuyun, approximately 5 hours by car.
💰 Cost: Entrance ticket 45 RMB, food per person 50 - 100 RMB

Day 5: Burqin - Kanas - Jiadengyu

Head to Kanas, the highlight of Xinjiang travel. Visit Kanas Lake to see if the legendary lake monster really exists. Then stroll along the plank road to admire the beautiful scenery.
📍 Kanas: About 160 km from Burqin, approximately 3 hours by car.
💰 Cost: Entrance ticket 160 RMB, shuttle bus 70 RMB

Day 6: Jiadengyu - Hemu Village

Experience the tranquil paradise of Hemu Village. The wooden houses, cooking smoke, grasslands, and horses create a beautiful pastoral scene. You can ride horses around the village or climb the viewing platform for a panoramic view.
📍 Hemu Village: About 50 km from Jiadengyu, approximately 1 hour by car.
💰 Cost: Entrance ticket 50 RMB, shuttle bus 52 RMB

Day 7: Hemu Village - Urho Ghost City - Karamay

Visit Urho Ghost City, where the howling wind produces eerie sounds like a demon roaring. The unique yardang landforms make you feel like you’re on another planet.
📍 Urho Ghost City: About 400 km from Hemu Village, approximately 6 hours by car.
💰 Cost: Entrance ticket 42 RMB, small train ticket 20 RMB

Day 8: Karamay - Sayram Lake - Qingshuihe

Arrive at Sayram Lake, the highest and largest alpine lake in Xinjiang. The water is crystal clear, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and grasslands. You can walk along the lakeshore to enjoy the scenery.
📍 Sayram Lake: About 350 km from Karamay, approximately 5 hours by car.
💰 Cost: Entrance ticket 70 RMB, self-driving vehicle ticket 75 RMB

Day 9: Qingshuihe - Kalajun Grassland - Tekes

Head to Kalajun Grassland, one of the world’s rare high-quality natural alpine grasslands. You can take a sightseeing vehicle to tour the grassland and feel its vastness and grandeur. In the evening, visit the Bagua City in Tekes to experience its unique urban layout.
📍 Kalajun Grassland: About 80 km from Qingshuihe, approximately 2 hours by car.
💰 Cost: Entrance ticket 80 RMB, shuttle bus 90 RMB

Day 10: Tekes - Nalati Grassland - Urumqi

The final stop is Nalati Grassland, featuring snow mountains, forests, grasslands, and rivers with breathtaking scenery. You can try horseback riding, archery, and other activities to enjoy the grassland fun. Then return to Urumqi to end this unforgettable journey.
📍 Nalati Grassland: About 250 km from Tekes, approximately 4 hours by car.
💰 Cost: Entrance ticket 95 RMB, shuttle bus 40 RMB

Xinjiang on the Taste Buds 🍲

● Grilled Lamb Skewers: Tender and juicy, fragrant with cumin and chili powder, every bite is super satisfying.

● Nang Pit Meat: Cooked in a nang pit oven, with a golden crispy crust and juicy inside.

● Hand-Pulled Rice: Lamb, carrots, onions, and rice cooked together, rich in flavor.

● Big Plate Chicken: Tender chicken, soft potatoes, served with wide ribbon noodles—so delicious you can’t stop.

● Baked Nang: Xinjiang’s specialty bread, crispy and tasty, keeps fresh for a long time.

Helpful Tips 💡

● Xinjiang is vast, and distances between attractions are long, so be prepared for long drives.

● Respect local religious beliefs and customs, especially in ethnic minority areas.

● Xinjiang has long daylight hours; plan your itinerary reasonably to avoid going out during the midday heat.

Dear friends, the beauty of Xinjiang cannot be fully described in words; only by experiencing it yourself can you feel its charm. Quickly save this guide and embark on a spontaneous Xinjiang trip! Share your most anticipated attractions in the comments 🤗