ChinaRoam
ChinaRoam
Metro routes that work, tickets you can actually book, food you can order, and the payment hacks no guidebook prints — city by city.
The Silk Road's great oasis bazaar — a mud-brick old city, the Sunday livestock market, and Uyghur culture at its warmest.
Fly into Kashgar Airport (KHG) or take the long rail from Urumqi (17h) — most visitors fly and loop back through Turpan/Urumqi.
Xinjiang travel is legal and well-trodden by tour groups. Carry your passport at all times and register at hotels (some small hotels lack a foreign-guest license — book licensed hotels via reputable platforms). A licensed tour or driver makes logistics and any checkpoints far easier.
DiDi and taxis in the city; the old town is pedestrian-friendly. Hire a car/driver for out-of-town sites.
A restored mud-brick medina of crafts, teahouses and blue-tiled mosques — wander the lanes slowly and accept the tea invitations.
Reserve: None
China's largest mosque, at the heart of the old city — visit respectfully outside prayer times.
Reserve: None
The legendary Sunday animal market on the edge of town — thousands of sheep, donkeys and camels changing hands.
Reserve: Go on Sunday only
The high-altitude lake beneath Muztagh Ata (7,546 m) — a jaw-dropping drive along the Karakoram Highway. CAUTION: it lies in a border-controlled zone. Foreigners must have the trip's permit arranged in advance by a licensed tour, and will pass passport checks at several military checkpoints. Rules change often — never attempt it as a solo trip.
Reserve: Advance permit via licensed tour
The tiled 17th-century mausoleum and its gardens — Kashgar's landmark beyond the old town.
Reserve: None
Fresh from the domed ovens — the daily bread, warm and irresistible.
Lamb kebabs and whole roasted sheep from the market.
Hand-pulled noodles with lamb and peppers — the Uyghur classic.
Xinjiang's legendary fruit — honey-sweet melons and pomegranate juice.
Naan-oven-baked lamb and strong black tea.
May–October; the old city is best in spring and autumn. Winter is cold but authentic.
Ask before photographing people; dress modestly; Friday midday prayers make the mosque area crowded.
The lake is a border-controlled zone. Foreigners must arrange the trip's permit through a licensed Kashgar agency several days ahead; you'll pass military checkpoints with passport checks. Rules change — confirm before booking. Photography near checkpoints is forbidden.
Cash is king at the bazaar and market — carry ¥300. Alipay works in shops.
Karakul Lake sits at 3,600 m — the drive gets high fast; take it easy.
ChinaRoam is a crowdsourced guide to traveling China, built for foreign visitors. We started with the city guides that everyone needs but nobody could find in English: how do I actually pay? How do I book a museum with my passport? Which metro line goes where?
Unlike tourist agencies and travel portals, every entry here is written by travelers who have been on the ground — and every guide is open for anyone to correct and improve. It's a living guidebook, not a static one.
Prices, opening hours, and visa rules change. Treat every entry as a strong hint, not gospel — check official sources for things that matter. And if you spot something wrong, correct it: that's the whole point.
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