Yarkand (Shache) County: The Sleeping Kingdom of the Tarim
Yarkand County travel means slowing down in Shache: a living Tarim oasis of muqam music, old-town bazaars, and 3,000 years of Silk Road history to walk.
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Huocheng County: Xinjiang’s Lavender Capital
Huocheng County, at the western end of Xinjiang’s Ili Valley, grows most of China’s lavender. Our guide covers the bloom, the town, and a one-day loop.
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Altay Ski Resorts 2026-27: Ticket Prices Compared
A sourced comparison of 2026-27 lift ticket prices at Jiangjunshan, Koktokay and Jikepulin in Altay, with transfer, lodging and season notes for each resort.
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Gongnaisi Grassland: The Forest Steppe of the Tianshan
Gongnaisi grassland is the Ili valley’s forest-steppe: spruce and meadows, Alxian hot springs and Kazakh yurts, reached from Yining or the Duku Highway.
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Xinjiang on a Budget: Hostels and Cheap Eats
Xinjiang budget travel is cheaper than most visitors expect: eat for ¥30–60 a day on naan, laghman and kebabs, and sleep in a hostel by the night market.
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Xinjiang Route Planning: North, South and the Loop
Xinjiang route planning explained: how the north, south and the full loop fit together, what closing the loop costs, and the best months to drive it well.
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Languages in Xinjiang: What to Learn Before You Go
Xinjiang languages for travellers: where Uyghur, Kazakh and Mandarin are spoken, a few words worth learning, and how to get by without speaking a word.
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Is Xinjiang Safe for Tourists: What to Expect
Xinjiang safety for tourists: what to expect on the ground, from calm, busy city nights to long desert drives, altitude, and the few checks you will meet.
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Xinjiang Horse Meat and Kasaz: A Carnivore’s Note
Xinjiang horse meat and kasaz (kazy) are a northern steppe specialty. See what they taste like, where to eat them, and how to order without awkwardness.
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Mount Tai (Tai Shan): China’s Most Sacred Peak
Mount Tai in Shandong is the foremost of China’s Five Sacred Mountains, climbed for sunrise and imperial rites. Our guide covers the steps and cable car.
