Xinjiang: Urumqi, Turpan & Kashgar in 9 Days

Xinjiang is China’s far west and its most different world — Uyghur bazaars, Silk Road ruins, oases and the roof of the Pamir mountains. This nine-day route takes the classic southern line from Urumqi through Turpan to Kashgar, with the option to push into the Pamirs for the trip of a lifetime.

The route at a glance

Days 1–2 — Urumqi

• Day 1: arrive in Urumqi, then the Grand Bazaar — the biggest market in the region, with carpets, knives, dried fruits and kebabs.
• Day 2: a day trip to Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) in the Tianshan range — a turquoise alpine lake an hour or two from the city.

Days 3–4 — Turpan

An easy trip (high-speed rail or road) to Turpan, the oasis on the old Silk Road.

• Day 3: the Flaming Mountains and the Grape Valley — Turpan is China’s grape country, and the vineyards are at their best from July to October.
• Day 4: the Jiaohe Ancient City (a Silk Road ruin) and the Karez underground irrigation system — an engineering marvel that made the oasis possible.

Days 5–6 — Kashgar

Fly to Kashgar, the heart of Uyghur culture.

• Day 5: wander the Old City — the winding lanes, workshops and teahouses of a thousand-year-old Silk Road settlement.
• Day 6: the Id Kah Mosque and the Sunday animal market, then a proper Central Asian lunch and an afternoon in the old bazaar.

Day 7 — The Pamirs

The optional epic: drive the Karakoram Highway toward the Pamirs — Karakul Lake with the Muztagh Ata snow peak behind it, and the high plateau toward Tashkurgan. Arrange this as a tour or with a local driver; it’s the most beautiful day in Xinjiang and worth the early start.

Days 8–9 — Kashgar and out

A relaxed day for the old town’s crafts and food, then fly home from Kashgar — or back via Urumqi.

Northern option: if you have two weeks, add the grasslands of northern Xinjiang — Sayram Lake, the Nalati meadows and (in autumn) the golden forests. It’s a different, greener Xinjiang that pairs well with this southern route.

Practical tips

• Book internal flights ahead — Urumqi–Turpan (or rail) and Turpan–Kashgar are the key legs. How to book trains.
• Carry your passport everywhere — hotels and some road checkpoints require it.
• Dress for desert and mountain: layers, sun protection, and a scarf for the wind and sand.
• Payment and data: Alipay works throughout; an eSIM keeps you online. Coverage thins in the far west — download maps ahead.
• Eat like a local: kebabs, laghman noodles and naan — see our what to eat guide.

Where this route fits

Xinjiang is the natural extension of the Silk Road route — from Dunhuang you can continue west instead of turning back. It’s a second or third trip to China destination, best for travelers who’ve seen the east. Plan around your overall itinerary.

FAQ headlines

• Do I need to speak Uyghur or Chinese? Chinese plus a translation app covers it; English is thin.
• Is it cold in the Pamirs? Even in summer the passes are cold — bring a warm layer for the high-altitude day.
• Can I visit in winter? Yes — the old cities are quieter and the desert is stark; check road conditions for the Pamir day.

Getting between Urumqi, Turpan & Kashgar

Xinjiang is enormous — bigger than most European countries — so the route leans on internal flights, with rail for the short hop. Here’s how the legs work:

• Urumqi → Turpan: high-speed rail in about an hour, or a road trip of two to three hours. This is the easy leg.
• Turpan → Kashgar: most travelers fly back through Urumqi (roughly two hours in the air) or take a long overnight train; there’s no practical direct rail day-hop.
• Urumqi → Kashgar: a direct flight of about two hours — the cleanest way to jump the region.
• Kashgar → Tashkurgan (the Pamirs): a drive of about five to six hours up the Karakoram Highway, best done as an organized tour or with a local driver.

Book internal flights ahead — see our train guide for the rail legs — and allow extra buffer time for security checks, which are routine at stations and on the roads west. Carry your passport at all times; hotels and some checkpoints require it. For the Pamir day, arrange the driver or tour through your hotel or a local agency, and start early — the light on Karakul Lake is best in the morning.

What to budget

Xinjiang is moderately priced: cheaper than the eastern cities but with the flights between cities as the main expense. As a rough estimate and subject to change: a budget traveler can get by on roughly ¥400–600 per day with simple hotels, kebabs and the rail legs, while a comfortable mid-range pace with better hotels, flights and a private Pamir tour runs nearer ¥900–1,500 per day. The big-ticket items are the internal flights (Turpan to Kashgar via Urumqi) and the Pamir day trip, so those two decisions set your budget. Food is a highlight and a bargain — lamb kebabs, laghman noodles, naan and the oasis fruit cost very little for how good they are. In Kashgar, the old-city guesthouses are the atmospheric (and affordable) place to stay, while Urumqi has the full range of city hotels.

Best season, altitude & what to pack

May–June and September–October are ideal: warm days, cooler nights and fewer crowds. July–August is hot in Turpan — it’s one of the hottest places in China — so avoid the midday there or save Turpan for the shoulder months. The Pamir day adds altitude: Karakul Lake sits around 3,600 meters and Tashkurgan around 3,100, so take it easy, stay hydrated and watch for mild altitude symptoms. Pack for extremes on one trip: light layers for the desert cities, a warm jacket for the Pamir high passes (cold even in summer), sun protection for the strong high-plateau sun, and a scarf for wind and sand. Comfortable walking shoes matter in Kashgar’s old-city lanes, and a small power bank helps since the far west has patchy coverage — download your maps ahead.

What to eat & what to buy

Xinjiang’s food is a big part of why the region feels like a different world. Eat your way through the lamb kebabs (chuanr), laghman hand-pulled noodles, naan breads baked in clay ovens, and pilaf with carrots and raisins, plus the melons and grapes the oasis towns are famous for — Turpan’s fruit in season is outstanding. Kashgar’s old city is the place for teahouses and family-run kebab stalls, and the Sunday bazaar is half market, half meal. For souvenirs, the bazaars sell carpets, knives, dried fruit and spices, but check what you can legally export before buying a knife — rules are strict. Haggle politely in the markets, where it’s expected and part of the fun. Most of the food is halal in Uyghur-run restaurants, which also makes the region easier for some travelers. Carry cash or set up Alipay in advance, since small market stalls may not take cards, and keep your passport handy for larger purchases.

Last updated: August 2026. Flight and permit rules change — confirm with your agency before you travel.