Is self-drive travel suitable in Xinjiang? Xinjiang Travel Guide
Xinjiang Travel Customization Specialist Guo Jing: 1813962-2229 0991-8585456
For many friends traveling to Xinjiang for the first time
Facing Xinjiang, with its vast territory, numerous ethnic groups, and diverse cultures
People often feel helpless
What should I see in Xinjiang?
How should the travel route be planned reasonably?
Also, what is your budget?
Today, I will present it to everyone
An exclusive and detailed travel guide
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01
Regarding major transportation
If "beautiful" can only be used to describe one place, I would choose Xinjiang without hesitation: unparalleled and all-encompassing natural beauty; rich historical civilization and diverse ethnic customs are its irreplaceable attractions, haunting people’s hearts and minds!
There are generally three options for traveling to Xinjiang: free-and-easy travel, package tours, and customized car rentals.
Package tours
Package tours need no introduction. Although they are worry-free, the itinerary is fixed. They may seem economical, but many only include the first ticket to scenic spots, and subsequent expenses are actually not small.
Free-and-easy travel
Free-and-easy travel is not limited by time and allows you to choose different modes of transportation according to personal needs:
/Train/
Nowadays, some major cities in Xinjiang have overnight trains that arrive in the morning. However, scenic spots in Xinjiang are relatively far from cities, so you have to transfer to a bus after getting off the train, which may cause some inconvenience.
/Airplane/
In recent years, major cities and some large scenic spots in Xinjiang have opened air routes. Especially during the peak tourist season in summer, flights to various tourist cities and scenic spots have increased significantly. However, airfare is much higher than that of cars and train tickets, and it can be affected by weather, disrupting travel plans.
Currently, there are over 50 interconnecting air routes between regional airports in Xinjiang. Prices vary depending on factors such as season and time. Booking in advance will be more affordable.
/Self-Driving/
When renting a car, be sure to choose a formal platform. The cost of renting a car in Xinjiang varies depending on the vehicle type and season.
For example, the daily rental fee for a Jeep in summer is approximately between 400-1000 yuan. Additionally, some platforms may also charge for returning the car in a different location, which requires attention.
For beginners coming to Xinjiang for the first time, self-driving is not recommended. One reason is that Xinjiang is too large, and the scenic spots are far apart, making self-driving too tiring.
In addition, speed limits in Xinjiang are strictly enforced, and it is easy to receive a ticket if you are not familiar with the road conditions. The cost of handling violations is also quite high.
Customized Chartered Car Tours
Chartered car tours not only allow for an in-depth experience of Xinjiang’s stunning scenery and local customs; but also have local drivers who are familiar with the area to guide you, saving you worry and effort. It is a popular travel method in recent years.
Although the chartered car costs in Xinjiang are higher than those in other places, the reason is simple: each scenic spot is really far apart, resulting in higher costs!
● 5-seat sedan: around 1100 yuan per day (models such as Camry, Teana, Accord, Passat, etc.).
● SUV city crossover: around 1200-1500 yuan per day (models such as Hyundai, Kia, Honda CRV, X-Trail, etc.)
● 7-seat business van: around 1300-1600 yuan per day (represented by the Buick business van, known as the land business class, with spacious space, luggage capacity, and high comfort, it is suitable for long-distance travel).
● 5-seat SUV: around 1600-2000 yuan per day (commonly used models include Mitsubishi Pajero, Prado, Toyota Land Cruiser, etc.).
*The above prices basically include the driver’s labor costs, fuel costs, toll fees, and parking fees.
*The chartered car prices from July to October may be 1-2 times higher than usual. If you want to book, be sure to do so in advance for a higher cost-effectiveness.
After mid-June, Xinjiang’s "Internet-famous Highway", the Duku Highway, will be unsealed.
This highway connects southern and northern Xinjiang, spans towering mountains, passes through deep valleys and natural barriers, traverses the four seasons, and offers scenery as beautiful as paradise! It has been praised by many travel enthusiasts as "China’s Most Beautiful Highway".
Currently, the Duku Highway is only open to vehicles with 7 seats or less. The entire route has many mountain roads and curves, and requires skill in mountain driving!
Friends who don’t want to miss this "China’s Scenic View Avenue" must rent a car to go.
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Customize a Private Route and Embark on Your In-depth Experience Journey
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02
Regarding Tickets
The scenic spots in Xinjiang are distributed centered on Urumqi, with distinctions between southern and northern Xinjiang in the east, south, west, and north directions.
Xianbei has simply compiled the ticket prices for popular scenic spots in Xinjiang for your reference:
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Region
Scenic Spot
Ticket Price/Yuan
Turpan Region
Flame Mountain
40
Grape Valley
60+25 (Sectional Train)
Jiaohe Ancient City
70+25 (Sectional Train)
Gaochang Ancient City
70+35 (Sectional Train)
Karez Well
40
Shanshan Kumtag Desert
60+30 (shuttle bus)
Altay Prefecture
Kanas
230 (including shuttle bus)
Baihaba
30+30
(shuttle bus, round trip 45)
Kanas Lake Cruise
120 (round trip 20)
Fish Viewing Terrace
+20 (shuttle bus)
Hemu
102 (including shuttle bus)
Koktokay
121 (including shuttle bus)
Colorful Beach
45
White Sand Lake
78 (including shuttle bus)
Aksu
Dolang Tribe
63
Kuche Tianshan Mystic Grand Canyon
40
Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves
70
Luntai Poplar Forest
45+30 (shuttle bus)
Tianshan Sacred Tree Garden
38
Ulungur Lake
40
Kuche Grand Mosque
25
Wensu Grand Canyon
34
Urumqi
Tian Chi (Tianshan Heavenly Lake)
155 (including shuttle bus)
Tianshan Grand Canyon
110 (including shuttle bus)
Hongshan Park
Free
Autonomous Region Museum
Free
Yining
Nalati Grassland
135 (including aerial grassland shuttle bus)
Karakul Grassland
180 (including shuttle bus)
Xiata Tourist Area
78 (including shuttle bus)
Huocheng Lavender Field
Free
Hami
Hami Ghost Town
50
Hami Hui王府 (Hami Hui王府 should be translated based on its actual meaning, but here it remains untranslated due to uncertainty)
40
Kashgar Prefecture
Id Kah Mosque
44
Xiangfei Tomb
118
Kashgar Old Town
Free
Stone City Ruins
Free
Zepu Golden Poplar Forest Scenic Area
60+20 (shuttle bus)
Kashgar Museum
Free
Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
Tarim胡杨林 (Tarim Poplar Forest, note: 胡杨 is a specific tree species and should be translated accordingly)
45
Lop Nur Village
52 (including shuttle bus)
Bayanbulak Grassland
140 (shuttle bus)
Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
Sayram Lake
145 (including shuttle bus)
*The attraction tickets are provided by Ctrip, and the above information is for reference only. Specific information is subject to the disclosure of the scenic area on the day.
*Some scenic areas offer discounts with student IDs, teacher IDs, military IDs, senior citizen IDs, and other relevant documents.
03
About Accommodation
Accommodation options in Xinjiang are limited, and prices vary greatly depending on the season and location. Generally, prices are higher in summer than in winter, and some famous attractions may have accommodation difficulties, so reservations in advance are needed.
Accommodations within scenic areas are mainly comfortable B&Bs and hotels, with standard rooms priced between 200 and 600 yuan per room.
Luxurious accommodations such as high-end star hotels are limited in Xinjiang, and prices are relatively expensive, reaching several thousand yuan.
If you want to experience the ethnic customs, you can stay overnight in a log cabin in Kanas Hemu Village or Bai巴哈 (Bai巴哈 should be translated based on its actual meaning if known, but here it remains untranslated due to uncertainty). The scenery here is beautiful.
In summer, prices range from 300 to 600 yuan per room, and in autumn, which is the peak tourist season in Kanas, prices are relatively higher.
In some grassland scenic areas, you can also stay overnight in yurts, which are typically priced at 500-1000 yuan per yurt and can accommodate 8~10 people. (Some places charge per person, so you can negotiate with the owner.) However, the accommodation facilities are somewhat lacking, so it depends on whether you can accept it.
Consult with the customization specialist to unlock your Xinjiang adventure
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04
About Food
When traveling to Xinjiang, the topic of food is a must-mention.
Grilled stuffed buns, hand-grabbed rice, pulled noodles, oil-passed meat mixed with noodles, grilled mutton, red willow grilled meat, Tangkawa meat, deadly large Wusu beer… Don’t expect to come back without gaining a couple of pounds.
So how much does it cost to eat during a trip to Xinjiang?
Xinjiang belongs to a region with moderate prices, and its overall consumption is lower than coastal cities but higher than ordinary third- and fourth-tier cities.
The catering part can generally be estimated at a price of about 30 yuan per meal.
However, prices in scenic areas are a bit higher, especially in scenic areas such as Kanas where transportation is not very convenient. An ordinary meal per capita is about 50 yuan. If you order some specialty dishes, it will easily cost over 100 yuan.
Kashgar is a place where delicious foods gather. You can find all the Xinjiang cuisine you can think of here, and at affordable prices!
Colorful mutton pilaf: per capita 15-25 yuan;
Authentic pot meat: per capita 15-30 yuan;
Grilled stuffed buns with thin skin and large fillings: 2 yuan each;
Noodles with rich broth: per capita 15-25 yuan;
Must-visit Kashgar old ice cream: per capita 7-30 yuan;
And various grilled meats: large skewers of red willow grilled meat; Tangkawa meat; grilled lamb legs;
…
A must-visit place for foodies!
05
About Shopping
Xinjiang is rich in produce, especially in various local specialties, and especially in handicrafts with ethnic characteristics, which are deeply loved by tourists.
Shopping in Urumqi mainly focuses on Xinjiang ethnic handicrafts and local specialties. If you focus on playing in Urumqi, many markets will have high-quality and inexpensive goods.
The handicrafts in Kashgar are renowned. Such as beautiful and comfortable carpets, a wide variety of flower hats, rustic and elegant earthenware, intricately carved jewelry, gorgeous and bright Aidiles silk, economical and practical wooden mold color printed cloth, and various ethnic musical instruments… They can be used as souvenirs for family and friends.
Hetian Bazaar is the main shopping venue in Hetian, where Hetian carpets, Aidiles silk, Hetian jade, and various fruits are popular tourist products.
Please note: When purchasing, carefully select and check if the product labels are complete, and request an appraisal certificate and receipt issued by a professional jewelry appraisal and testing institution from the seller.
Some say that Xinjiang is a place where you get addicted after visiting
No matter how many times you’ve been, you’ll always want to go again
To fulfill guests’ desires for a zero-distance experience of the ‘dreamlike Xinjiang’
Consult with the customization specialist to unlock your Xinjiang adventure
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√ Freely combine attractions, fill every moment of the journey with beautiful scenery
√ 1V1 customization specialist, making every second of the journey enjoyable
√ Private tours, one order, one vehicle, ultra-private
√ Unlock a new way to fully perceive and deeply experience the local customs
√ Follow your taste buds and join locals in searching for authentic Xinjiang cuisine
Xinjiang Travel Customization Specialist Guo Jing: 1813962-2229 0991-8585456