When traveling in Xinjiang, tourists should pay attention to the following points:
1. Respect Local Customs and Traditions
Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic region, and tourists should respect local customs and traditions, especially the religious beliefs and dietary habits of ethnic minorities. For example, Xinjiang’s ethnic minorities do not eat pork and hold taboos against pigs, usually referring to pork as ‘big meat’, so it should be avoided to mention or display items related to pork locally.
2. Make Good Travel Preparations
Carry Identification Documents: According to the requirements of public security departments for accommodation registration, tourists should bring valid identification documents such as their ID card. Furthermore, if you have senior citizen cards, military officer cards, student IDs, press cards, etc., you may be eligible for discounted or free tickets at scenic areas, please inform your tour guide in advance for processing.
Dress Appropriately: Xinjiang has a large diurnal temperature variation, and tourists should bring enough warm clothing to cope with the coolness in the morning and evening. Additionally, Xinjiang has intense UV radiation in summer, so sun protection measures should be taken, such as applying sunscreen, wearing sun hats and sun protective clothing.
Carry Medications: It is recommended to carry some commonly used medications, such as fever reducers, cold medicine, antidiarrheals, and motion sickness medication, especially for tourists with children, who should carry these medications with them.
3. Pay Attention to Travel Safety
Obey Traffic Rules: When driving in Xinjiang’s pastoral areas, tourists may encounter grazing cattle and sheep, and should maintain a safe distance to avoid collisions.
Keep Valuables Safe: Regardless of which city you are in, be careful to keep your valuables safe. Public places such as train stations and bus stations are common areas for thieves, and tourists should properly keep their documents and belongings.
Pay Attention to Scenic Area Safety: When visiting scenic areas, tourists should follow the instructions and guidance of tour guides or scenic area staff, avoid acting alone or night tours, and should not go to bars or nightclubs alone.
4. Choose Suitable Travel Times and Routes
Travel Time: The tourist season in Xinjiang mainly concentrates from May to October, when the weather is suitable and the scenery is beautiful. However, the best viewing times for different attractions may vary, and tourists should choose the appropriate time to visit based on their itinerary arrangements.
Travel Routes: Xinjiang has a vast territory with numerous and scattered attractions. Tourists can choose suitable travel routes according to their interests and time, such as the natural scenery tour of Northern Xinjiang or the historical and cultural tour of Southern Xinjiang.
5. Taste Local Cuisine
Xinjiang’s cuisine is rich and diverse, such as baked stuffed buns, meat cooked in a缸子 (a traditional cooking vessel), and Kuche large naan. However, when tasting local cuisine, tourists should also pay attention to dietary hygiene and nutrition, avoiding health issues such as gastrointestinal diseases due to improper eating.
In summary, when traveling in Xinjiang, tourists should respect local customs and traditions, make good travel preparations, pay attention to travel safety, choose suitable travel times and routes, and taste local cuisine. These suggestions will help tourists better enjoy the beautiful scenery and food of Xinjiang, while ensuring the safety and smoothness of their trip.