Northwest · DESTINATION GUIDE

Xinjiang 新疆

Xinjiang's scale makes a regional choice essential. The Altai, Tianshan and Kunlun mountains frame vast basins, with oases, grasslands and forested uplands creating sharply different environments. Urumqi is the capital, but Ili, Altay, Turpan and Kashgar are separate journeys rather than nearby extensions of one city. Choose the landscape and cultural setting that interest you most before assembling an itinerary. A coherent regional route allows time for local food, neighbourhood life and the individual communities that would disappear in a hurried attempt to cover the whole autonomous region.

Location of Xinjiang in China

About Xinjiang

Xinjiang at a glance

Population
26,390,000Year-end resident population, entire provincial-level administrative area · 2025Source ↗
Income per person
32,881Mean annual disposable income per person, all residents · 2025 · CNYSource ↗
Languages & dialects
Mandarin/Chinese and Uyghur (维吾尔语), alongside other community languages.Source ↗
Geography
Altai, Tianshan and Kunlun mountain systems frame the Junggar and Tarim basins; settlements cluster in oases.Source ↗
Elevation
Some basins lie below sea level: Ayding Lake depression is about 154 m below sea level, contrasting with high mountain regions.The depression figure describes a specific surveyed low point, not the lake surface or a regional average.Source ↗
Main gateway
UrumqiAutonomous region
Tianshan Tianchi Lake · 天山天池
Tianshan Tianchi Lake · Xinjiang · Caitriana Nicholson from 北京 ~ Beijing, 中国 ~ China · CC BY-SA 2.0

Discover Xinjiang

Choose a northern, western or oasis route

Yining and the Ili valley provide a western urban-and-grassland journey, with Nalati one of several possible landscape destinations. Altay, Kanas and Hemu belong to a distant northern forest-and-lake region. Kashgar lies in the southwest, while Turpan presents another arid-basin setting. These names should first be understood as different geographic choices. Compare the full travel commitments and choose suitable bases, rather than assuming that a map of headline sights describes a practical short circuit.

Connect archaeology with everyday life

Turpan's Jiaohe ruins and interpretations of karez water systems offer complementary views of settlement and farming in an arid environment. Kashgar rewards time in streets where food, craft and residential life meet, while Urumqi can add museum context. Local communities have distinct languages, histories and contemporary routines, so use specific names and avoid a single cultural label. Ask before photographing people, homes or religious spaces, and give ordinary sitting and eating time a place beside the major visits.

Build around real connections and local meals

Bread, baked buns, polo rice, hand-pulled noodles and shared chicken dishes offer more variety than a sequence of grilled-meat meals. Particular preparations also help locate food within the region, such as Tokxun noodles or Kashgar pigeon soup. Long rail journeys and regional flights may suit different routes, with further road travel for remote areas. Confirm current visitor access, document requirements and the actual transport arrangements directly; an older travel account does not establish the conditions for your intended journey.

Explore Xinjiang

Core places to explore, with English and Chinese names.

Xinjiang local specialties

新疆特色美食 · 134 specialties to discover

Photograph of Nang bread (馕).Nang bread 馕

Thin nang is crisp, while thicker bread has a soft, chewy center and toasted crust. Fresh warmth brings out the wheat and topping aromas.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: The original uploader was 用心阁 at Chinese Wikipedia . · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Photograph of Polo rice (抓饭).Polo rice 抓饭

The rice is rich and separate-grained, with sweet carrot, savory meat and occasional fruit sweetness rather than a sticky porridge texture.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: Rjanag · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Photograph of Baked samsa buns (烤包子).Baked samsa buns 烤包子

The shell is crisp and firm, while the center is juicy, onion-sweet and richly savory.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: Windmemories · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Tokxun mixed noodles · 托克逊拌面 · AI dish illustrationTokxun mixed noodles 托克逊拌面AI dish illustration · AI 菜品示意图

The noodles are elastic and substantial, while peppers, tomatoes or other vegetables add juiciness and contrasting bite. Sauce and chili vary by kitchen.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photograph of Big-plate chicken (大盘鸡).Big-plate chicken 大盘鸡

Tender potatoes thicken the savory, often spicy sauce, while bone-in chicken and chewy noodles create a substantial meal.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Kashgar pigeon soup noodles · 喀什鸽子汤面 · AI dish illustrationKashgar pigeon soup noodles 喀什鸽子汤面AI dish illustration · AI 菜品示意图

The broth is gently rich, while pigeon meat has a firmer, more concentrated bite than the noodles.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Xinjiang lamb skewers · 烤羊肉串 · AI dish illustrationXinjiang lamb skewers 烤羊肉串AI illustration · AI 示意图

Fat renders around browned edges, giving a juicy bite and a smoky, aromatic finish.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Peppery braised lamb trotters · 胡辣羊蹄 · AI dish illustrationPeppery braised lamb trotters 胡辣羊蹄AI illustration · AI 示意图

The texture is sticky, gelatinous and chewy rather than meaty like a lamb chop. Spices contribute a strong savory fragrance.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
All dish names · 全部菜名 (134)

Top sights in Xinjiang

Trip.Best · Best Things to DoChecked 2026-09-20

  1. Sayram Lake · 赛里木湖TOP1

    Sayram Lake 赛里木湖

    Show on map
    博尔塔拉州

    4.7 / 5 · Trip.com

    Sayram Lake sits in a high mountain basin in Bortala, surrounded by grassland and ridges. Different shores offer different combinations of open water, meadow, wetland and woodland, so a circuit is more varied than one viewpoint…

    View guide →
  2. Tianshan Tianchi · 天山天池TOP2

    Tianshan Tianchi 天山天池

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    昌吉州

    4.6 / 5 · Trip.com

    Tianchi lies in the Bogda section of the Tianshan, where dark conifer slopes frame an alpine lake.

    View guide →
  3. Kanas Scenic Area · 喀纳斯景区TOP3

    Kanas Scenic Area 喀纳斯景区

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    布尔津县

    4.6 / 5 · Trip.com

  4. Nalati Scenic Area · 那拉提旅游风景区TOP4

    Nalati Scenic Area 那拉提旅游风景区

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    新源县

    4.5 / 5 · Trip.com

  5. World Mystery Town · 世界魔鬼城TOP5

    World Mystery Town 世界魔鬼城

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    乌尔禾区

    4.3 / 5 · Trip.com

    World Devil City (世界魔鬼城), also called Wuerhe Wind City (乌尔禾风城), is a wind-eroded yardang landscape in Wuerhe District (乌尔禾区), Karamay (克拉玛依市), Xinjiang.

    View guide →
  6. The Xinjiang Museum · 新疆维吾尔自治区博物馆TOP6

    The Xinjiang Museum 新疆维吾尔自治区博物馆

    Show on map
    乌鲁木齐

    4.8 / 5 · Trip.com

    Xinjiang Museum brings together archaeology from the region’s deserts, oases and mountain corridors.

    View guide →
  7. Bayanbulak · 巴音布鲁克景区TOP7

    Bayanbulak 巴音布鲁克景区

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    和静县

    4.5 / 5 · Trip.com

  8. Kalajun National Park · 喀拉峻景区TOP8

    Kalajun Grassland 喀拉峻

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    特克斯县

    4.6 / 5 · Trip.com

    Kalajun (喀拉峻) is an international eco-tourism area in Tekes County (特克斯县), Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, on the northern slopes of the Biyike mountain in the central Tianshan. The county government records that it is a world natural heritage site and a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, and that the name means "black wilderness" in Kazakh.

    View guide →
  9. Grape Valley · 葡萄沟TOP9

    Grape Valley 葡萄沟

    Show on map
    吐鲁番

    4.2 / 5 · Trip.com

    Grape Valley is an irrigated corridor beneath the Flaming Mountains northeast of Turpan. Water flowing through the valley supports vineyards that contrast sharply with the dry hills around them. The visitor area combines…

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  10. Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar · 新疆国际大巴扎TOP10

    International Grand Bazaar 新疆国际大巴扎

    Show on map
    乌鲁木齐

    4.5 / 5 · Trip.com

    The International Grand Bazaar is a contemporary market complex in Urumqi’s Erdaoqiao area. Patterned brickwork, arches and a tall sightseeing tower give it a distinctive silhouette, while stalls and food areas make it a lively…

    View guide →
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Ranking source & photo credits

The first ten entries of Trip.Best Best Things to Do. Rankings reflect platform recommendations, not counts of international visitors. Read on 20 September 2026; platform pages may use cached snapshots.

  • Sayram Lake: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Tianshan Tianchi: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Kanas Scenic Area: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Nalati Scenic Area: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • World Mystery Town: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • The Xinjiang Museum: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Bayanbulak: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Kalajun Grassland: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Grape Valley: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • International Grand Bazaar: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.

Our place guide directory →

EXPLORE THE NEXT LEVEL

Cities, counties & districts in Xinjiang

27 areas belong directly to Xinjiang.

27 areas

Prefecture-level city

Ürümqi 乌鲁木齐市

Ürümqi is the capital and largest city of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Northwestern China. With a census population of 4,054,000 in 2020, Ürümqi is the second-largest city in China's northwestern…

8 local areas →Prefecture-level city

Karamay 克拉玛依市

Karamay (also spelled Karamai; Chinese: 克拉玛依, romanized: Kèlāmǎyī, Uyghur: قاراماي, romanized: Qaramay) is a prefecture-level city in the north of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of…

4 local areas →Prefecture-level city

Turpan 吐鲁番市

Turpan (Uyghur: تۇرپان) or Turfan is a prefecture-level city located in the east of the autonomous region of Xinjiang, China. It has an area of 69,759 km² (26,934 sq mi) and a population of 693,988 (2020).

3 local areas →Prefecture-level city

Hami 哈密市

Hami, or Kumul (Uyghur: قۇمۇل, romanized: Qumul), is a prefecture-level city in eastern Xinjiang, China. It is well known for sweet Hami melons.

3 local areas →
View all 27 areasShow fewer areas
Autonomous prefecture

Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture 昌吉回族自治州

Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture for Hui people in the mid-north of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Western China.

7 local areas →Autonomous prefecture

Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture 博尔塔拉蒙古自治州

Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture in the northern Xinjiang, China. Its capital is Bole, also known as Bortala.

4 local areas →Autonomous prefecture

Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture 巴音郭楞蒙古自治州

Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture in the southeastern Xinjiang, China. It borders Gansu to the east, Qinghai to the southeast and the Tibet Autonomous Region to the south.

9 local areas →Prefecture

Aksu Prefecture 阿克苏地区

Aksu Prefecture is located in west-central Xinjiang, China. It has an area of 131,161 km² (50,642 sq mi) and 2.714 million inhabitants at the 2020 census whom 715,319 lived in the built-up (or metro) area…

9 local areas →Autonomous prefecture

Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture 克孜勒苏柯尔克孜自治州

Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture in western Xinjiang, China, bordering Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Its capital is Artush.

4 local areas →Prefecture

Kashgar Prefecture 喀什地区

Kashgar Prefecture, also known as Kashi Prefecture, is a prefecture in southwestern Xinjiang, China, in the Tarim Basin region (roughly the southern half of Xinjiang).

13 local areas →Prefecture

Hotan Prefecture 和田地区

Hotan Prefecture (see also § Etymology) is located in the Tarim Basin region of southwestern Xinjiang, China, bordering the Tibet Autonomous Region to the south and Union Territory of Ladakh and…

10 local areas →Autonomous prefecture

Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture 伊犁哈萨克自治州

Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture in northern Xinjiang, China. Its capital is Yining, also known as Ghulja or Kulja.

11 local areas →Prefecture

Tacheng Prefecture 塔城地区

Tacheng Prefecture, also known as Tarbagatay Prefecture, is located in northern Xinjiang, People's Republic of China. It has an area of 98,824 km² (38,156 sq mi) and a population of 992,444 (2020).

7 local areas →Prefecture

Altay Prefecture 阿勒泰地区

Altay Prefecture is a prefecture in northern Xinjiang, China. It has an area of 118,015 km² (45,566 sq mi) and a population of 561,667 (2000). It is a part of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture.

7 local areas →County-level city

Shihezi 石河子市

Shihezi is a sub-prefecture-level city in Northern Xinjiang, China. It has a population of 380,130 according to the 2010 census.

Explore the area →County-level city

Aral 阿拉尔市

Aral (Uyghur: ئارال), also known as Alar, is a sub-prefecture-level city surrounded by Aksu Prefecture in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. Aral means "island" in Uyghur.

Explore the area →County-level city

Tumxuk 图木舒克市

Tumxuk is a county-level city in the western part of Xinjiang, China. The eastern part of Tumxuk is surrounded by Maralbexi County, Kashgar Prefecture. The smaller western part is near Kashgar.

Explore the area →County-level city

Wujiaqu 五家渠市

Wujiaqu is a county-level city in the northern part of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, about 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Ürümqi.

Explore the area →County-level city

Beitun 北屯市

Beitun is a city in the north of Xinjiang, China. Administratively, it is a county-level city under the direct administration of the regional government, though it is geographically located in Altay Prefecture.

Explore the area →County-level city

Tiemenguan City 铁门关市

Tiemenguan is a county-level city in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. It is located 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of Korla and 500 kilometres (310 mi) southwest of the regional capital Ürümqi.

Explore the area →County-level city

Shuanghe 双河市

Shuanghe is a county-level city in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. It is located 30 kilometres (19 mi) east of Bole City and 50 kilometres (31 mi) southwest of Alashankou and the border with…

Explore the area →County-level city

Kokdala 可克达拉市

Kokdala or Cocodala is a city in northern Xinjiang, China, bordering Kazakhstan's Almaty Region to the west. Administratively, it is a county-level city under the direct administration of the regional…

Explore the area →County-level city

Kunyu 昆玉市

Kunyu, also known as Kurumkash (Uyghur: قۇرۇمقاش), is a county-level city in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China.

Explore the area →County-level city

Huyanghe 胡杨河市

Huyanghe is a county-level city in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. It is geographically located in Tacheng Prefecture of Northwestern Xinjiang, but is directly administered by the 7th Division of…

Explore the area →County-level city

Xinxing 新星市

Xinxing is a county-level city in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. It is actually located with enclaves in Hami.

Explore the area →County-level city

Baiyang 白杨市

Baiyang is a county-level city and a sub-prefectural-level city in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. The county-level city implemented "division and city integration" (师市合一, shī shì héyī) with the 9th…

Explore the area →County-level city

Caohu City 草湖市

Caohu City (草湖市) is a newly established county-level city directly administered by the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Explore the area →

Arrive, stay & get around Xinjiang

交通枢纽、住宿与天气

YOUR ARRIVAL GATEWAY

Urumqi乌鲁木齐

This Xinjiang entry uses Urumqi as its selected gateway city. It does not describe transport coverage across the entire region.

Airports

Railway stations

Metro & city transport

GET AROUND BY METRO · 地铁出行

Urumqi Metro Network 乌鲁木齐轨道交通线路图

Zoomable map · 可放大

The metro serves a north–south urban corridor. For the current airport terminal, follow the signed metro-transfer arrangement rather than old terminal directions.

  1. 1Find your stations确认起点与终点站
  2. 2Check interchanges查看换乘线路与站点
  3. 3Follow exit signs到站后按站内标识出站
Urumqi rail network diagram · 乌鲁木齐轨道交通线路图Explore the full network查看站名、线路与换乘Enlarge map点击放大线路图

Check the legend for closed, reserved or future sections. 停运、预留与规划区间，请按图例辨识。

Map edition: 2026-09-06 · Diagram reviewed 2026-09-06

Map: China Revealed / Codex · CC BY-SA 4.0

Map coverage & sources 图示范围与来源说明

Original full station-order diagram of 21-station Line 1 plus the operating 2-stop airport shuttle (International Airport–International Airport North). Airport East and Line 2 Phase I north construction are excluded. Shuttle is shown as a separate service requiring interchange, not a through Line 1 ride.

Original drawing from factual station/route data; station-order topology is schematic.

Official information ↗
Amap · 高德地图Apple Maps · 苹果地图

Coaches, ferries & onward travel

Transport reference review: 2026-09-06. Consult the operator for current services and timetables.

More about getting around

Urumqi is a major air and rail gateway, with separate regional connections toward Turpan and Kashgar. Distances make selective flights or longer rail journeys worth comparing. Allow extra time for security checks, carry your passport, and verify access before arranging remote road extensions.

Stay in Xinjiang

Choose an Urumqi base with straightforward station or airport access for a connecting itinerary. In Turpan, consider how your hotel handles excursions to scattered sites. For Kashgar, balance proximity to the historic centre with vehicle access, and confirm the property can process your booking details.

Find hotels on Trip.com →

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Urumqi weather

The current-hour forecast loads when this section is visible. It uses MET Norway model data for the named city, not station observations.

Seasons & when to go

Turpan and desert areas can become intensely hot in summer, while uplands remain much cooler. Winters are cold, particularly in the north, and mountain access is seasonal. Pack for the actual route and elevations, with enough flexibility to change outdoor plans during extreme conditions.

Local life & communication

Several travel worlds within one vast region: Ili's mixed urban and pastoral valley, Altay's forest-and-lake north, Kashgar's Uyghur urban culture and Turpan's arid-basin heritage. Local detail matters more than a region-wide stereotype.

Uyghur, Kazakh, Han and other communities contribute distinct languages, foods and traditions across Xinjiang. Historic oasis cities and archaeological sites offer different perspectives on those connections. Ask before photographing people, and follow current guidance at religious sites, which authorities may treat as sensitive.

Language & communication

Mandarin is useful for transport arrangements; Uyghur is prominent in southern oasis communities, and Kazakh is heard in parts of the north. English spellings vary, including Kashgar and Kashi. Keep Chinese place names and confirm the exact meeting time and location in writing.

Useful local tips

  • Choose Ili, Altay, or a Kashgar/Turpan heritage focus first; do not assume all can fit comfortably into one short circuit.
  • Confirm the exact Chinese place name and entrance when arranging transfers, especially for Kanas, Nalati and similarly named karez attractions.
  • Check the Xinjiang transport authority's current road information for long drives; a past holiday guide does not establish that a mountain road is open now.
  • UK FCDO advice checked on 5 September 2026 describes passport and security checks in Xinjiang. Carry your passport and verify current requirements for the intended route and nationality.
  • Ask before photographing people or entering homes, workshops and religious spaces; follow the rules of the specific place.

Written by China Revealed · Editorially updated 2026-09-07

Sources & useful links