Xinjiang is outlined by the Altai Mountains to the north, Altun to the east, Pamirs to the west, and Kunlun to the south, cradling diverse landscapes like snowy peaks, forests, lakes, grasslands, deserts, Yardang formations, and canyons. It is also the homeland of 13 Chinese ethnic minorities.
North Xinjiang: Nomadic cultures with a free-living feel and romantic temperament.
South Xinjiang: Oasis cultures and the Silk Road with an exotic and profound backdrop.
No matter whether you are attracted by Xinjiang's fantastic landscapes, its ancient culture, or its ethnic minority flavor, we are well prepared to offer the best suggestions according to your schedule and interests.
Travel at your own pace and make last-minute changes.
With over 8 years of experience, we provide 24/7 private advisor assistance.
We do not organize visits to tourist shops unless you request them.
The suggested itineraries below cover the most popular destinations in Xinjiang. All of them can be customized into your own personalized Xinjiang tour.
The following routes are examples to help you extend your Xinjiang tour to make a Silk Road tour. All these tour packages can be changed according to your needs.
Yes, Xinjiang is safe to visit. The Uyghur people are friendly and hospitable. Most visitors feel it is totally safe in the main tourist areas, though there may be an elevated police presence.
During your Xinjiang tour with China Highlights, you will have a personal guide and driver. They will escort you to make sure your tour goes smoothly and resolve any problems, though there seldom are any. Your guide will advise you on local customs to avoid any awkwardness.
Generally speaking, Xinjiang has low rainfall and large temperature differences between day and night and season to season.
North Xinjiang, which has vast grasslands, forests, and high mountains, is wetter and cooler than southern Xinjiang (Kashgar, Turpan, Hetian, Aksu, etc.), which has huge deserts. The hottest place in Xinjiang is Turpan, where the temperature could be over 40°C (104°F) in July.
In Xinjiang, you could experience four seasons in one day. So, we suggest bringing a jacket and sweater besides t-shirts even in summertime.
Hotel choices, especially for foreign visitors, in Xinjiang are limited, particularly luxury hotels. Most of the local hotels are not as modern as those in central and eastern China. Hotel management is not as good as in other parts of China either.
We will help you select and book the best possible hotels for your Xinjiang tour according to your needs/requests.
Local people eat a lot of beef and lamb and prefer dishes with strong flavors. Vegetable choices are not as varied as in eastern China. You can have great noodles, Xinjiang crusty pancakes, and delicious roast dumplings. Xinjiang fried rice should not be missed either.
Xinjiang is also a paradise for fruit lovers. You can enjoy China’s best watermelons, honey melons, apples, pears, grapes, pomegranates, cherries, apricots…
