Xinjiang Attractions

Kalpin travel guide from two visits: folded red canyons of the Kalpintag, salt-fed lamb, buses from Aksu, hotels, best months and a one-day itinerary.

A practical Qiemo travel guide to Cherchen, the jade oasis town on the southern Taklamakan rim: how to get there, when to go, where to sleep and eat.

Maralbeshi travel guide from repeat visits: Bachu’s giant desert poplar forest at Hongai, Dolan music, trains from Kashgar, hotels, food and real costs.

This Fukang travel guide covers how to use the small city at the foot of Bogda Peak as your base for Tianchi Lake: transport, timing, hotels, food and tips.

Hejing travel guide: how to reach Bayanbulak grassland and Swan Lake from Korla, plus the best months to visit, where to stay, food, and a two-day plan.

Tangbula Grassland travel guide: reaching Nilka’s river valley corridor, wildflower season, hot springs, homestays and the Duku Highway link at Qiaoerma.

A first-hand guide to Gongliu Xinjiang and the Xinyuan grasslands: when to go, how to reach the Ili Valley, yurt homestays, Kazakh food and a 3-day loop.

An honest Urumqi city guide from a writer who walked the capital: what to eat, how to survive the two-clock time trap, and the best Tianshan day trips.

This Turpan city guide covers where to sleep, eat and beat the heat in China’s hottest oasis town, plus how to base yourself here beyond the famous ruins.

Drive the Pamir Plateau circuit from Kashgar: Karakul Lake, Tashkurgan and the 600-bend Panlong road. Permits, route stages and tips from two recent trips.