6 Days Xinjiang Drive Through Taklimakan Desert and Hotian Kuqa Tour

FAQS

• Is it safe to travel in Xinjiang?

  Yes, it is very safe to visit Xinjiang now. The Uyghur people are some of the most friendly you’ll ever meet. Most visitors feel it is totally safe in the main tourist areas, though there may be an elevated police presence.

• Which tourist sites are what international travelers must visit for a private Xinjiang tour?

  Xinjiang covers a large area, accounting for about one sixth of China. Most of international travelers who come to Xinjiang at the first time, and I advise to visit these sites:
  In Urumqi and Turpan: Heavenly Lake, International Grand Bazaar, Karez Irrigation System, Ancient City of Jiaohe and Tuyoq Village.

  In Kashgar: Kashgar old town, Sunday Bazaar, Karakul Lake, Pamirs Plateau

  In Altay: Kanas Nature Reserve, Hemu Tuwa village, Five-colored Beach

  In Yili: Kalajun Prairie, Narati Air Grassland

• How many days tour is the best choice for travelers travelling to Xinjiang?

  Well, the answer should depend on your time and interest. You can plan as the following:

  1 day each for Xinjiang arrival and departure;

  3 days tour in Kashgar and Taxkorgan;

  3 days tour in Urumqi and Turpan;

  3 days tour in Yili;

  3 days tour in Altay;

  3 days tour through Taklimakan Desert

  4-5 days Silk Road tour from Urumqi to Kashgar

  and so on.

• How many members is the best group for a private Xinjiang tour?

  Because in a private Xinjiang tour, only your friends, family or colleagues are in a group. We will arrange the Xinjiang tourist vehicle according to your members, such as 5-7 seats car or van for 1-4 clients, 8-9 seats van for 5-6 clients, 14 seats van for 7-9 clients, 17-23 seats bus for 10-13 clients, 29 seats for more than 13 clients.

  If you want not only to save money and but also to enjoy better comfortable tour, we advise 7-9 clients in a private group.

• When/ which months are the best time to visit Xinjiang?

  Traditionally, the months from March to October are the good time frame to visit Xinjiang.

  You can choose the best time to visit the most beautiful area:
  Late March to April: Apricot Flower in Yili, Kashgar and Turpan;
  Middle April: Apricot Flower in Yili river valley;
  June: Canola flowers and lavender in Yili;
  July and August: the whole Xinjiang;
  September and October: northern Xinjiang area, such Kanas, Hemu, Koktoghay

• Which one is the better? By flight, by train or by overland Xinjiang?

  By flight: save time. You can fly to Urumqi from any one of mainland China cities within 4 hours and then start your Xinjiang tour.

  By train and by car: too long time to Xinjiang. But you will enjoy different landscapes on the road.

• For private Xinjiang tour, how to choose Tibet hotel? 3-stars, 4-stars or 5-stars hotel?

  In Xinjiang’s capital Urumqi, hotel conditions are best and options are most. In remote cities, such as Kashgar, Yining, Kanas and Turpan, star-rated hotels might not be as good as the same rating of hotels in big cities due to local expectations.

  To ensure a comfortable hotel experience, we suggest booking 4- or 5-star hotels. They can offer Western-style breakfasts as well as simple English communication.

• What food to eat in Xinjiang when taking a private tour?

  Usually, after you arrive at Urumqi or Kashgar, your tour guide will ask about your eating habits. He/she will recommend restaurants for your reference.

  We recommend the typical authentic Xinjiang meals, incl. a lot of meat such as mutton, beef, and chicken. Islamic rules forbid alcohol and pork. A breakfast might include melons, fruit jam, and milk tea. Nangs, Uyghur flat bread like Indian naans, are commonly eaten with meals.

• Which is the better choice, small group tour vs private tour?

  Group tour refers to a group of tourists who have the same tour plan booking the same trip separately via the local travel agency in Xinjiang. They don’t know each other. The travel agency arranges travel date and route in advance. The tour cost is fixed and cheaper.

  Private tour means a group of tourists who are family or friends or colleagues book the same trip together through Xinjiang local travel agency. The travel agency design the tour according to traveler’s needs and interests. The tour cost is quoted based on different plans and relatively high.

  You can choose small group tour or private tour depend on your plan.