Xinjiang Cities

Wenquan county Xinjiang guide: the Alatau border valley, a Bronze Age stone maze, a protected salamander, cold-water trout, seasons and getting there.

Bole Xinjiang travel guide: Bortala’s quiet prefecture capital by Sayram Lake, with granite boulder valleys, Mongol history, trains, flights, a 3-day plan.

Shihezi guide: the planned city the Bingtuan built, with what to see, how to get there, where to stay and why this orderly Xinjiang town is worth a stop.

Jimsar county Xinjiang holds the Beiting ruins of the Tang Northern Protectorate. Read the walls, time your visit, and reach the site by bus from Urumqi.

Mulei county Xinjiang’s southern slope holds the easternmost Schrenk’s spruce belt in the Tianshan. Here’s how to time a drive into the forest valleys.

Qitai county Xinjiang is the granary of the Tianshan northern slope. Here’s how to time a visit to the Jiangbulake wheat fields around the harvest window.

Shawan County Xinjiang sits on the Manas River plain between Urumqi and the Ili valley. Trains, farm seasons, and the big plate chicken stop, planned.

Yumin county Xinjiang is a quiet Tacheng border county famous for its wild tulips each spring on the Bolor slopes-our honest first-hand local travel guide.

Toli county Xinjiang lies on the Karamay-Tacheng pasture road. Our first-hand guide covers grassland drives, the wind gap, food, stays and best months.

Emin county Xinjiang lies on the Tacheng plain, where wheat fields, vineyards and Kazakh culture meet. Our guide covers transport, best time and food.