Yanqi Hui Autonomous County: Bosten Lake’s Wine Country
Yanqi Hui Autonomous County is Xinjiang’s hidden wine capital, home to 10,000 hectares of vineyards, Tang-era ruins, and some of the region’s best Hui food.
-
-
Lop County: The Forgotten County Inside the Taklamakan
Lop County sits 18 km east of Hotan on the Taklamakan’s edge. This guide covers Jiya atlas silk, Rawak Stupa, autumn poplars and a practical one-day plan.
-
Qiemo (Cherchen) and the Desert Edge: Reaching Tarim’s Longest County
Qiemo (Cherchen) is China’s second-largest county, a remote Tarim oasis reached by desert road, the Hotan-Ruoqiang railway and Yudu Airport. Plan a trip.
-
Yutian and Cele: The Last Oases on the Southern Silk Road
Yutian and Cele guide: the last oases on the southern Silk Road, with what to see, how to get from Kashgar and the best time to travel the region slowly.
-
Shihezi on Foot: The Garden City Most Travellers Drive Past
Plan a self-guided Shihezi walking tour from the railway station through the Reclamation Museum, Ai Qing Poetry Hall, Xingfu Road market and West Park.
-
Kashgar’s Century-Old Teahouse: A Living Silk Road Ritual
Kashgar century-old teahouse inside the old city: 1-2 hours, 30-50 yuan a head, tea from 28 yuan with free refills, the Wustangboyi crafts street anchor.
-
Xinjiang with Children: What Worked and What We Would Skip
Xinjiang with children is doable if you keep travel days short and altitudes low. Here is what worked on our family trip and what we would skip next time.
-
Hongshan Park: Urumqi’s Free Hilltop View and Old Pagoda
Hongshan Park, Urumqi’s free hilltop escape: red pagoda, old temple, the best time for skyline photos, how to get there and what to eat nearby. Free entry.
-
Turpan’s Karez Wells: How the Ancient Canals Still Work
Turpan Karez wells carry Tianshan snowmelt underground to feed the desert oasis. See how these ancient canals still work, and how to visit Turpan today.
-
Atush Figs: The Fruit That Barely Travels
Atush figs are Xinjiang’s sweetest, most fragile fruit, eaten fresh near Kashgar in season. Find where to go, when to visit, and why they barely travel.
