The choice between package tours and self-guided tours for traveling in Xinjiang mainly depends on personal needs and preferences.
Package tours are a good choice for tourists who do not want to plan itineraries or worry about accommodation and tickets. Package tours usually include contractual guarantees to ensure tourists’ rights and interests, and the vehicles provided are all new cars from recent years, with drivers who have undergone professional training. In addition, package tours also offer 24/7 butler-style service, from departure to the end, with professional butlers ensuring the quality of the trip. For example, some travel agencies offer 6-person small group tours departing from Kashgar, including a 1-day pure play tour of scenic spots such as the Pamir Plateau, Baisha Lake, and Karakul Lake in Xinjiang, with transparent prices and no shopping or self-paid items, which are very suitable for tourists who want to save effort and worry.
However, for tourists who love freedom and want to deeply explore Xinjiang, self-guided tours may be more suitable. Self-guided tours can customize itineraries based on personal interests and needs, selecting favorite attractions and activities. Xinjiang has many beautiful attractions, such as Nalati, Flaming Mountain, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Bayinbrok Grassland, etc. Self-guided tours can arrange itineraries more flexibly, providing an in-depth experience of Xinjiang’s natural scenery and cultural customs.
Meanwhile, self-guided tours allow one to choose accommodation and dining based on their budget, which is more economical.
In addition, there is another option between package tours and self-guided tours, namely private small group tours. This type of tourism retains the convenience of package tours while offering the flexibility and privacy of self-guided tours. Private small group tours usually have a smaller number of people, allowing for a deeper exploration of attractions, without the pressure of shopping and self-paid items. For example, some travel agencies offer 4-day private small group tours to enjoy the scenic spots of northern Xinjiang, such as Kanas, Hemu, Colorful Beach, and魔鬼城, at reasonable prices with rich itinerary arrangements.
In summary, whether to choose a package tour, self-guided tour, or a private small group tour for traveling in Xinjiang depends on one’s own needs and preferences. No matter which way is chosen, one can leave unforgettable memories on this beautiful land of Xinjiang.