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Best Places to Visit in Kashgar, Xinjiang (China)

October 30 | 18 Comments

There are plenty of places to see in Kashgar, but not all of them are worth the time and effort. The oasis town of Kashgar continues to be a popular stop for tourist along the ancient Silk Road in Xinjiang, China. It is home to a rich Uyghur culture, buzzing Central Asian markets and plenty […]

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Top 5 Places to See in Turpan, Xinjiang

September 4 | 13 Comments

Turpan (aka “Turfan” or 吐鲁番) is my favorite city to travel in Xinjiang in part because there are some great places to see in Turpan. In my opinion, traveling to Turpan is the perfect combination of Silk Road history, Uyghur culture, great food, scenic beauty and convenience. While most travelers tend to flock to the busy […]

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Kashgar Sunday Bazaar | Photos & Video

June 26 | 23 Comments

For centuries, the Kashgar Sunday Bazaar in western Xinjiang has been a meeting place for locals, merchants and travelers along the Silk Road. It’s a great place for travelers to wander, purchase souvenirs and people watch. Although the primary purpose of the bazaar has historically been to sell goods – everything from horses and camels […]

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Yili (Ili) Xinjiang | Top 5 Places to Visit

April 10 | 21 Comments

Whether you call it “Yili“, “Ili“, “Yining” or even the historical name “Ghulja“, one thing is for sure: it’s definitely worth traveling to this unique part of Xinjiang, China. In fact, if you’re planning to head out this way, I’d like to provide some suggestions on 5 places you should put on your itinerary while you’re […]

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Uyghur Knife from Yengisar | A Lost Cultural Symbol

December 18 | 14 Comments

For many people, the Yengisar knife is a timeless symbol of Uyghur culture in Xinjiang. While Uyghur knives are still sold, the original town that created them has become a ghost town. Here’s the story of the Uyghur knife from Yengisar, Xinjiang in China. For centuries, the craft of making the Uyghur knife has been an […]

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Xinjiang in Winter | What to See and Do

November 12 | 10 Comments

What is there to see around Xinjiang in winter? It used to be that Xinjiang tourism practically shut down between the months of November and March. Travelers were so few that most tourism sites shut down completely for the winter and weather often prohibited transportation to some locations. Things have changed, though, and there are now […]

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A Visit to Xinjiang’s Kanas Lake and Keketuohai

August 7 | 29 Comments

Are you planning to visit Kanas Lake or Keketuohai Park in northern Xinjiang? If so, you’ll want to check out the photos, tips and advice from traveler Chris Milton, a Scot who has been living in China and teaching English for a number of years. Kanas lake is simply stunning. I found myself so many […]

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Wucaitan: Xinjiang’s Five-Colored Hills | Traveler’s Guide

July 9 | 5 Comments

五彩滩. Spelled out in pinyin it’s “Wucaitan”, which has been translated as either “Rainbow Beach” or “Five-Colored Hills”. Although normally dwarfed by Kanas Lake, it’s popular neighbor further north, this scenic Xinjiang gem is worth a second glance…if not a visit.

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Exploring Wusu | The Wild Side of Xinjiang, China

July 11 | 2 Comments

Anybody who’s actually heard of the remote town of Wusu (乌苏 in Chinese or Shiho in the original Uyghur) in China’s Xinjiang region usually only knows it for one thing: Wusu Beer. I don’t blame them, really.  How is any traveler supposed to know that Wusu is home to spectacularly diverse and stunning scenery? On the […]

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Travel Kuqa | Best Places to Visit in Xinjiang

October 13 | 21 Comments

The ancient city of Kuqa (a.k.a. “Kuche” or 库车) is one of those historically significant and yet often-overlooked places to visit in China’s far western region of Xinjiang. When it comes to traveling in Xinjiang, places like Kashgar, Turpan and Yili often hog the spotlight. However, there are many other smaller cities and villages worth visiting if you […]

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