When traveling to Xinjiang, your first impression might be its vastness. Xinjiang is located deep inland, far from the ocean, covering one-sixth of China’s total land area. It is a treasure trove where multiple ethnic groups live together, boasting rich cultural resources, expansive territory, and abundant natural wealth. It is the largest provincial-level region in China. The Tianshan Mountains run across Xinjiang, embracing the Tarim Basin to the south together with the Kunlun and Altun Mountains, and bordering the Junggar Basin to the north alongside the Altai Mountains, forming a geographical feature of “three mountains flanking two basins.” This results in Xinjiang’s typical inland arid and semi-arid climate, with drastic temperature changes between seasons and large diurnal temperature variations, low precipitation, and abundant sunshine—second only to Tibet nationwide. The temperature extremes are striking: Xinjiang is home to the world-famous Flaming Continent—Turpan, where the highest recorded temperature reached 48.1°C, the highest in China; while Fuyun once saw a minimum temperature as low as -51.5°C, second only to Mohe in Heilongjiang Province. Such a climate will give you a unique travel experience in Xinjiang. Xinjiang has long been a region of multicultural diversity, with 47 ethnic groups forming distinctive ethnic cultures and Western Region charm. Most people here practice Islam, so please be mindful to respect the traditional customs and habits of the ethnic minorities during your travels. When interacting, conversing, or dining with ethnic groups, always adapt to local customs and respect their religious beliefs and etiquette.
Dear visitors coming to Xinjiang for sightseeing, to ensure your trip is satisfying, enjoyable, and smooth, please pay attention to the following six key points:
Xinjiang Travel Tips – Food Edition
1. Xinjiang is a region with a predominantly Muslim population and many ethnic minorities. Meals arranged by travel agencies in Xinjiang are mostly served in halal restaurants. If you wish to have Han Chinese cuisine or have other special requests, please be sure to inform us in advance.
2. The flavors of Xinjiang cuisine tend to be sour, spicy, and salty, often featuring dishes similar to those from Hunan and Sichuan. There is a wide variety of snacks, such as grilled lamb skewers, pilaf, samsa (baked buns), oil pancakes, and cold noodles. The most famous main dish is the renowned whole roasted lamb. So when you visit Xinjiang, be sure to try the local flavor specialties—you won’t regret it.
3. Xinjiang is known as the land of fruits. After eating fruit, do not drink hot water to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort. After consuming beef or mutton, avoid drinking cold water; it’s better to have the hot tea provided by the restaurant. Though the taste may not be great, it helps cut through the grease.
4. Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic region. Ethnic groups who follow Islam strictly avoid pork, donkey meat, dog meat, blood, and alcohol—these are their biggest taboos and must never be violated. When dining on Han Chinese food, please do not invite ethnic friends to join you.
5. In halal restaurants, smoking and drinking are prohibited. Do not bring cooked pork products, and never openly mention anything related to pigs to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
6. When visiting an ethnic family, break naan bread into small pieces before eating. When the host offers you a cooked lamb head, cut off a piece of the lamb’s cheek meat and place it in your bowl to show appreciation; then cut off an ear and give it to the host’s child (symbolizing the child is obedient); finally, respectfully return the lamb head. Always remember to respect ethnic etiquette.
7. Xinjiang has a dry climate, so remember to drink plenty of water. Xinjiang travel routes are long, so eating some beef or mutton appropriately can help maintain your stamina for long walks.
8. When enjoying the local laghman (hand-pulled noodles), you can get free refills of noodles after finishing your portion, but additional side dishes come at an extra cost. Xinjiang fruits are delicious, affordable, and come in a wide variety with sweet and fragrant flavors. Eating fruit is a real treat while traveling in Xinjiang, but do so in moderation. Overeating Hami melon can cause excessive internal heat and blisters on the lips; too much watermelon may lead to diarrhea; and eating too many apricots can cause stomach bloating. Please be cautious.
9. A special reminder: due to the long distances between scenic spots in Xinjiang and limited facilities en route, lunch is sometimes simple, often consisting of convenient fast food, mainly from ethnic restaurants. Dinner will be arranged as sumptuously as possible. Any unused meal fees will be added to dinner or refunded to you. Please be mentally prepared. Most Xinjiang dishes contain onions, chili peppers, and tomatoes. If you have any dietary restrictions or special requests, please inform your guide in advance. We will do our best to coordinate with restaurants to meet the needs of all travelers.
10. Pay attention to food hygiene during your trip to prevent illness.
Xinjiang Travel Tips – Accommodation Edition
1. When staying in a hotel for the first time in Xinjiang, if you notice unfamiliar odors, ensure proper ventilation. Such smells are common in minority areas across Xinjiang—please be understanding.
2. Xinjiang’s travel routes are long, and accommodation and dining conditions vary greatly from place to place. They may differ somewhat from those in well-developed inland tourist cities. Please be mentally prepared.
3. “Wear fur coats in the morning and gauze in the afternoon, sitting around the stove eating watermelon” is a classic description of Xinjiang’s climate. Due to the large temperature difference between morning and night, it’s important to prepare for both cold and heat. In summer, pack short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, and warmer outerwear. Those who are more sensitive to the cold should also bring a thin cashmere sweater.
4. When sleeping at night, set the air conditioner to a moderate level—don’t make it too cold. Be sure to cover yourself with a cotton quilt to avoid catching a cold or feeling unwell.
Xinjiang Travel Tips – Transportation Edition
1. Xinjiang is vast. Before traveling, pay attention to the weather forecast for your destination to adjust your clothing accordingly. In summer, it’s hot and dry, and the distance between scenic spots is considerable with long travel times. Stay hydrated and guard against heatstroke. Travelers prone to motion sickness should bring anti-nausea medication or use travel neck support gear.
2. Xinjiang travel itineraries are long with significant temperature differences and relatively hard water, which may be hard to adjust to initially, possibly causing symptoms of discomfort due to the environment. Carry common medications such as cold medicine or anti-diarrheal drugs like Loperamide. Remember to prepare necessary medications before departure.
3. The distances between scenic spots in Xinjiang are considerable, and car rides can be long and monotonous. It’s best to bring some snacks and plenty of water. You may also want to prepare games like chess or cards for entertainment.
4. Xinjiang’s weather is highly changeable. Be prepared for cold, heat, wind, and rain. With large diurnal temperature variations and significant climatic differences across seasons and altitudes, the temperature gap between morning and night can reach about 10–25°C. Even in summer, it’s advisable to bring a jacket or wool sweater.
5. Be aware of the time difference: Xinjiang is in the UTC+8 time zone, while Beijing is in the UTC+6 zone. There is a two-hour time difference between Xinjiang and inland cities like Beijing. Adjust your schedule two hours later. Tourist activities are usually scheduled between 9:00 and 20:00. Prepare to adapt to the time difference and stay mindful of the time distinction. In Xinjiang, all schedules follow local time, using Beijing Time. Hotel mealtimes are relatively late, so adjust your schedule and eating times as soon as possible.
6. For safety during your Xinjiang travels, there’s no need to carry too much cash. Most places in Xinjiang have banks and ATMs where you can withdraw money locally. Keep valuables on your person or store them in your hotel safe.
Xinjiang Travel Tips – Sightseeing Edition
1. The best time to travel in Xinjiang is between May and October. Southern Xinjiang features mainly cultural attractions, along with unique natural scenery. Northern Xinjiang boasts beautiful pristine natural landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, rivers, yurts, and primeval forests, which are truly captivating. Because it’s hot and dry during this period, do not use open flames or smoke within scenic areas.
2. Scenic spots in Xinjiang are spread out, and travel times are long, which can be tiring. Be prepared for some hardship and ensure you get good rest at night. Many attractions require you to walk, hike, or even ride horses or camels, so having a good pair of shoes is essential. It’s recommended that you prepare a comfortable, well-fitting, and easy-to-move-in pair of shoes before your trip.
3. Guests are not allowed to swap beds or teams at will, nor should they leave the group to visit an attraction on their own, as poor mobile phone signal in some scenic areas may lead to loss of contact.
4. Xinjiang has a dry climate with strong winds and sand, long hours of sunlight, and intense ultraviolet radiation. Be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated during the trip, and bring sun protection items such as sun hats, umbrellas, sunglasses, and sunscreen. It’s also advisable to carry heat-clearing, thirst-quenching, and moisturizing medications or powders, such as Xia Sang Ju or Shidishui powder, to cope with the dry and hot conditions. Even in the height of summer, prepare long pants and warmer layers. Additionally, it is recommended that female travelers bring skincare and sun protection cosmetics, and it’s even better to pack a lip balm.
5. Xinjiang boasts numerous scenic spots with breathtaking and unique landscapes. When taking photos during your trips, make sure to carry extra batteries and memory cards to avoid missing out on memorable moments.
6. There are many religious ceremonies among Xinjiang’s ethnic minorities. Please avoid intentionally stopping to watch or overly focusing on their personal lives. Do not scold or hit livestock or hunting dogs belonging to herders to prevent misunderstandings. If you wish to take photos of ethnic minority people, always ask for their permission first.
7. In ethnic minority restaurants and yurts in Xinjiang, after lightly washing your hands or face, do not shake the water off your hands, as this is considered taboo. When visiting a Uyghur family, do not sit with your legs stretched out—sit cross-legged or kneel. When the host offers tea, guests should receive it with both hands and a slight bow. When accepting gifts, slightly bow and receive them with both hands. Ethnic minority women do not shake hands with men. Except for Mongolian and Han people, never casually bring up the topic of pigs. Xinjiang’s Muslim community, who follow Islam, have many taboos—please respect their customs and traditions.