Travel Guide

Xinjiang camping guide from real trips: where to camp legally, gear for cold nights and Gobi wind, safe months, food, safety, and a 3-day sample plan.

Xinjiang stargazing pulls photographers to Asia’s darkest skies. This guide lists the best astrophotography spots, seasons, gear, permits, and safety.

Xinjiang hot air balloon flights drift over Flaming Mountains, deserts and Ili grasslands. Our guide covers cost, season and operators for 2023 to 2024.

Xinjiang rafting and kayaking: honest first-hand advice on the best places to paddle Sayram and Kanas lakes and raft the Irtysh River in northern Xinjiang.

Kyrgyz eagle hunting Xinjiang: a first-hand guide to the Pamir herders and their golden eagles, with the best months, permits, typical costs and a plan.

A Xinjiang cycling route along the old Silk Road: ride the Duku Highway, Sayram Lake and Ili. Full gear, permits, altitude and the best season to ride.

A local’s honest guide to Xinjiang skiing: the Altai’s ancient ski roots, top resorts like Keketuohai, powder season, real costs and how to get there.

Xinjiang hiking trails stretch from Tianshan meadows to Pamir glaciers. Our on-the-ground guide covers the best treks, access, seasons, permits and gear.

Our Xinjiang self drive guide gives first-hand route tips, the Duku Highway, rental and permit rules, and the best season for a safe road trip in China.

A Taklamakan camel trek crosses Xinjiang’s ‘Sea of Death.’ This guide shows how real desert-edge camel treks work in 2026, with honest costs and safety.