10 Days in Xinjiang: Road Trip on the Karakoram Highway

Destination: Xinjiang, Western China
Trip Theme: Silk Road history, ethnic culture, high mountain landscapes, Karakoram Highway
Recommended Duration: 10 days
Budget per Person: ¥3,000-¥6,000 CNY (≈ $420-$840 USD)

Overview

I recently spent 10 days traveling through Xinjiang, in the far west of China. This was the most unique travel experience I've ever had in China. There aren't many places left in China where locals are still genuinely curious about foreigners, but this is one of them. You'll find a mix of incredible natural landscapes, ancient Silk Road history, and vibrant Uyghur culture that you won't experience anywhere else in China.

10-Day Itinerary

Ürümqi, the capital of Xinjiang, is the gateway to ancient Silk Road exploration

Day 1: Fly to Ürümqi - overnight stay
Day 2: High-speed train to Turpan (1 hour) - explore Turpan
Days 3-4: Sightseeing in Turpan - day trip to Tuyoq Village, Jiaohe Ruins, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Emin Minaret
Day 5: Fly from Turpan to Kashgar
Days 6-7: Explore Kashgar - Id Kah Mosque, Kashgar Old Town, Tomb of Yusup Khass Hajip, Abakh Hoja Mausoleum, Shipton's Arch
Day 8: Road trip along the Karakoram Highway to Tashkurgan - stops at Karakul Lake and White Sand Lake
Day 9: Visit the Stone Fort in Tashkurgan, continue to Khunjerab Pass (Pakistan border)
Day 10: Return to Ürümqi

Must-See Highlights

Kashgar Old Town

Kashgar Old Town preserves centuries of Central Asian architecture and culture

One of the best-preserved traditional Central Asian cities in the world. Wander through the maze-like streets, visit the famous Sunday Bazaar, and eat authentic Uyghur cuisine everywhere you go. Don't miss the naan bread from local street vendors - it's incredible.

Karakoram Highway

Karakul Lake's stunning alpine landscape at over 3,600 meters elevation on the Karakoram Highway

This is one of the most spectacular mountain roads in the world. When you drive from Kashgar to the Pakistani border, you'll pass:

• White Sand Lake - incredibly blue water with white sand dunes
• Karakul Lake - a breathtaking alpine lake with the Pamir Mountains in the background
• Tashkurgan - an ancient Silk Road oasis city with the Stone Fort
• Khunjerab Pass - the actual China-Pakistan border crossing at over 4,800 meters elevation

Turpan

Jiaohe Ruins showcase perfectly preserved ancient Silk Road city architecture

An ancient oasis city on the Silk Road famous for:

• Jiaohe Ruins - a perfectly preserved ancient city built on a mesa
• Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves - ancient Buddhist cave art
• The incredible ancient karez water management system that still works today
• Delicious grapes and melons - Turpan is Xinjiang's fruit basket

Practical Travel Tips

The Karakoram Highway offers some of the world's most spectacular high-altitude driving

Border and Entry Information

• Khunjerab Pass Update: As of 2025, foreigners generally aren't allowed to go beyond the parking lot to see the actual border crossing. This is a recent change that isn't well documented online. Chinese citizens (including Hong Kong) can usually go further.
• Police Checks: Police passport checks are common, especially outside city centers, and you'll see armed police. This doesn't mean you're unsafe - we never felt uncomfortable. Just keep your passport handy and be cooperative.

Transportation

• High-speed train: Only goes as far as Ürümqi
• Flights: Most major destinations in Xinjiang are easily accessible via domestic flights - the region is huge, flying saves a lot of time
• Road trip: You'll need a private driver or rental car for the Karakoram Highway section - the scenery is incredible and you'll want to stop often for photos
• Infrastructure: All roads are in fantastic condition - China has built amazing infrastructure even in these remote mountain regions

Best Time to Visit

• September-October: Perfect weather, cooler temperatures, fruit harvest season
• June-August: Hot in Turpan and desert areas, but pleasant in the mountain regions
• November-March: Very cold in the mountain regions, some roads may be closed due to snow

Crowds

Even though I traveled during Chinese Golden Week (national holiday), we didn't notice many tourists. Many attractions were still quite empty, especially if you visit in the morning. This is still a relatively off-the-beaten-path destination for most Chinese tourists.

Food Highlights

• Polo (Uyghur lamb pilaf) - absolutely delicious fried rice with tender lamb
• Naan bread - freshly baked in traditional clay ovens
• Laghman - hand-pulled noodles with meat and vegetables
• Lamb skewers - street food staple
• Fresh fruit - Xinjiang is famous for its grapes, melons, apricots and pomegranates

Cultural Notes

• Xinjiang has a large Uyghur population with a very distinct Central Asian culture - it feels very different from traveling in eastern China
• People are generally very friendly and curious about foreign visitors
• Respect local religious customs - dress modestly when visiting mosques

Source: Original trip report on Reddit r/travel
Photo: https://source.unsplash.com/random/?xinjiang,china,karakoram