Xinjiang
Xinjiang is a large region in northwestern China, known for Silk Road oasis towns, the edge of the Taklamakan Desert and Tian Shan mountain scenery. Kashgar is the best-known city for travelers.
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Xinjiang is a large region in northwestern China, home to the Uyghur people and many other ethnic groups. Its oasis towns grew along old Silk Road trade routes. Kashgar is the city most travelers reach first. Between the Taklamakan Desert and the Tian Shan and Altai mountains, the scenery changes sharply within one trip.
Kashgar's Sunday market and the Id Kah Mosque are the main sights in the city. Uyghur food such as lamb kebabs, laghman noodles and polo rice is common across the region. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, while summer is very hot in the desert towns and winter is cold in the north. Distances between towns are long, so most trips rely on trains, buses and taxis. Expect few nightlife options and limited English outside hotels.
Xinjiang in five
- Install Amap before you arriveGoogle Maps does not work reliably in mainland China, and many taxi and map apps are Chinese-only. Download the Kashgar area in Amap (Gaode) while you still have Wi-Fi.
- Set up a Chinese SIM or eSIM before you landMany local payment apps and maps need mobile data, so set up a plan before the flight.Phones and eSIM
- Carry cash in yuan for the bazaarsSmall stalls at the bazaars often take only cash, so carry small yuan notes for the Sunday Animal Market.Money and costs
- Buy train tickets on the 12306 appChina Railway's 12306 app and station ticket windows sell most train tickets. Book with the passport you will travel on, because ticket checks compare the name.Getting around
- Carry your original passport and visaPolice checks happen at stations, hotels and on some roads. Carry the original passport and visa when you go out, not a photo of them.
Things to do in Xinjiang
See all attractions in Xinjiang
Need to know
- Currency
- Yuan (CNY)
- Entry
- Visa needed for most passports; check the 30-day visa-free list Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving; some locals keep Xinjiang time (UTC+6)
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryVery cold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchCool, warming
- AprilMild, dry
- MayWarm, dry
- JuneHot, dry
- JulyVery hot
- AugustVery hot
- SeptemberWarm, easing
- OctoberMild, clear
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberCold, quiet
Right now in Xinjiang
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
3
- Feels like
- -1°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Xinjiang
05:56 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today14°2°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°1°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu8°0°2%Thursday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri10°2°10%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat12°1°2%Saturday: Clear. High 12°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun14°6°0%Sunday: Clear. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Mon15°6°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 05:45 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Abakh Khoja TombA historic tomb complex on the edge of Kashgar, reached in a short taxi ride.Read the guide
- YarkandA quieter oasis town with an old town and bazaar, southeast of Kashgar.
- TashkurganA Pamir highland town on the Karakoram Highway near the Tajik border; check permit rules first.
Before you go to Xinjiang
Rules for Xinjiang, checked
- Declare cash and goods above the customs limits on your arrival form. Check the General Administration of Customs site before you fly.Source
- Drone flights need prior permission from local authorities. Do not fly a drone in Kashgar without that approval.
- Ask before photographing people, and never photograph police, checkpoints or security posts.
- Google services and many foreign websites are blocked in China. Download maps and offline content before you arrive.
Plan around Xinjiang
Old City, Sunday market and day trips from town
Read the guideAll of ChinaCities, rail and the wider country beyond Xinjiang
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights, trains and buses into and around Kashgar
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, mobile payments and typical prices for a day
Read the guideWhere to stayOld City lanes, the new city and quieter districts
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa rules and what to check before you book a flight
Read the guideXinjiang FAQ
Is Kashgar worth visiting?
Yes, for the Old City lanes, the Id Kah Mosque and the Sunday Animal Market. It is a working city, not a resort, so expect few nightlife options and limited English outside hotels.
How many days do you need in Kashgar?
Two to three days covers the Old City, the Id Kah Mosque and the Sunday market. Add a day if you want to visit Yarkand or Tashkurgan by road.
How do you get to Kashgar?
Fly into Kashgar Airport (KHG) from Urumqi or other Chinese cities, or take a train. Check the 12306 app for current routes before you book.
Do I need a Chinese visa for Kashgar?
Most passports need a visa, though some nationalities qualify for visa-free entry under China's 30-day rule. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list and your government's travel advice before you book.
What language is spoken in Kashgar?
Uyghur and Mandarin are the main languages, and signs are often in both Chinese and Uyghur. Few staff outside hotels speak English, so keep your hotel address in Chinese characters.
Do I need a rental car in Kashgar?
No, for the city alone. Taxis cover the Old City and the new city. Hire a driver only for trips to Yarkand or Tashkurgan.