Urumqi and Kashgar Itinerary: 7 Days on the Silk Road Without Stress

Your phone is useless. Google Maps is lying. And the ATM just ate your card. That’s how many travelers start the Urumqi–Kashgar adventure — and it’s why I’m writing this guide.

Planning a Urumqi and Kashgar itinerary without local knowledge is a recipe for stress. You’ll pay triple for taxis, queue at ticket booths that don’t accept cash, and miss the hidden spots that make this route unforgettable.

Here’s the shortcut: book the overnight train from Urumqi to Kashgar, stay three nights in the Old Town, and hire a driver for the Pamir Highway. That’s my top advice. Now let me show you exactly how to make it happen.

Why Urumqi and Kashgar Should Be on Your Radar

What Makes This Route Special

The Urumqi to Kashgar corridor is China’s Silk Road backbone. You get snow-capped mountains, vast deserts, and a Uyghur culture that feels a world away from Beijing or Shanghai. I’ve guided dozens of groups here, and every single traveler is blown away by the difference.

Kashgar’s Old Town is a labyrinth of mud-brick houses, vibrant bazaars, and the scent of grilled lamb. Urumqi is more modern, but it’s the gateway to Heavenly Lake and the jump-off point for the train journey.

One of my favorite memories was watching the sun set from a rooftop in Kashgar’s Old Town, while the call to prayer echoed from the mosque. There’s a pause in the noise that feels ancient.

How Long Do You Need? (7-Day vs 10-Day)

A 7-day loop is tight but doable if you focus on the highlights. You’ll need 2 full days in Urumqi (including a day trip to Heavenly Lake) and 3–4 days in Kashgar. I recommend at least 10 days if you want to add Tashkurgan and the Karakoram Highway.

For this itinerary, I’m assuming you have exactly 7 nights. If you have more, stretch the Kashgar part.

Urumqi and Kashgar Itinerary: How Do I Prepare for My Trip?

Payments: Cash vs WeChat/Alipay

International credit cards are almost useless outside big hotels. I always tell my clients to bring enough cash to cover small expenses. You can use Alipay or WeChat Pay if you’ve set up an international card, but many street vendors and bazaar stalls only take cash or local mobile payments.

Here’s what I do:

• Withdraw 1,000–2,000 RMB in cash at the airport ATM.
• Use WeChat Pay for restaurants and taxis if possible.
• Keep small notes (10s and 20s) for the buses and public bathrooms.

Pro Tip: At the Sunday Bazaar, cash is king. Vendors won’t have a card machine, and they’ll often give you a better price if you buy in cash.

VPN, Sim Cards, and WiFi

You absolutely need a VPN before arriving in China. Google, Facebook, and Instagram are blocked. Without a VPN, your phone will be a brick. Download a reliable VPN (like ExpressVPN or Astrill) and install it before you land.

For internet, you can buy a tourist SIM at the airport or use a portable WiFi device. I prefer a SIM because it’s cheaper for data. Check out China Unicom or China Telecom for tourist plans.

Booking Flights, Trains, and Hotels

Most accommodations and transport require real-name registration with your passport. For trains, use Trip.com or the official 12306 website. I book on Trip.com because the English interface is easier and international cards work.

For hotels, I recommend using Booking.com or Agoda. But be warned: some guesthouses in Kashgar don’t show up on these platforms. You may need to book directly via WeChat or call them.

What to Pack for Xinjiang (Especially Kashgar)

• Pure cotton clothes for the heat, but a fleece jacket for the evenings — the altitude in Kashgar is 1,300m and it gets cool.
• Closed-toe shoes for walking on uneven Old Town streets.
• A headscarf for women if you plan to enter mosques (some require it).
• Sunscreen and a wide-brim hat.
• An actual paper map — because if your phone dies, you’re stuck.

How to Travel Between Urumqi and Kashgar

Option 1: Overnight Train (My Top Pick)

Taking the sleeper train is the most authentic and budget-friendly way. Trains run daily, with travel times between 15 and 24 hours. The overnight sleeper saves you a night of accommodation and lets you see the dramatic landscape change from city to desert to mountains.

There are different classes: hard seat, hard sleeper (6 berths), and soft sleeper (4 berths). I always book soft sleeper for the extra space and charging outlets. Prices range from 400–600 RMB depending on the class.

To book: go to Trip.com and search “Urumqi to Kashgar.” You’ll need your passport number. Trains sell out fast in summer, so book at least a week ahead.

Insider Advice: Bring earplugs and an eye mask — the train is noisy and the lights flicker all night.

Option 2: Flight (Fast but Not Scenic)

If you’re short on time, a flight takes just 2 hours. Airlines like China Southern operate daily. Prices range from 500 to 1,200 RMB for a one-way economy ticket. The downside: you miss the incredible railway journey that takes you through the Tianshan mountain range.

Flights land at Kashgar Airport, which is about 10 km from the Old Town. A taxi into the city costs around 30–40 RMB.

Option 3: Driving (For the Adventurous)

Driving lets you stop at places like Turpan and Korla. But it’s a long haul — about 1,500 km and 20+ hours of driving. Unless you have a hired driver with a proper permit, I don’t recommend self-driving for foreign tourists due to Chinese traffic rules and language barriers.

Train vs Flight vs Road: Quick Comparison

Urumqi Itinerary Days 1–3: What Should I See?

Day 1: Red Hill Park and the Bazaar

Start your trip at Red Hill Park (Hongshan Park), a free green oasis in the city center. You can climb to the red pagoda for a panoramic view of Urumqi. It’s also a great place to watch locals doing tai chi.

From the airport, take Metro Line 1 to Hongshan Station — it’s about 40 minutes and costs 4 RMB. If you arrive late, a taxi will cost around 80 RMB.

From Red Hill, take a taxi or the metro to the Grand Bazaar (Erdaoqiao). It’s touristy, but the architecture is stunning and you can buy dried fruits, knives (check regulations), and Uyghur hats. Don’t buy anything without haggling.

For lunch, try a “big plate chicken” (da pan ji) at one of the restaurants around the bazaar. I always go to “Xiao Fei Yang” on Jiefang Road. It’s a chain, but the spices are solid. Budget: 40–60 RMB per person.

Day 2: Xinjiang Museum and Local Food Crawl

The Xinjiang Museum is a must — it houses the famous Loulan mummies. Admission is free, but you must bring your passport and book a time slot via the official WeChat account or ask your hotel to help. Weekends are crowded, so go on a weekday morning.

After the museum, walk to the nearby Renmin Park and grab a late lunch of lamb skewers and nan bread.

In the evening, explore the night market on Xinjiang Road. Try the roasted pigeon and milk tea.

Day 3: Optional Day Trip to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)

If you can squeeze in one day trip, make it Heavenly Lake. It’s a turquoise alpine lake in the Tianshan mountains, about 70 km east of Urumqi. Take a bus from the city’s north bus station or join a tour. Entrance plus shuttle bus is around 220 RMB.

Bring a jacket — the temperature is significantly lower at the lake.

Kashgar Itinerary Days 3–7: What Are the Highlights?

Day 3–4: Kashgar Old Town — Getting Lost on Purpose

The Old Town is a living maze of mud-brick alleyways, craft workshops, and family homes. You can wander for hours without seeing the same corner twice. The best time is early morning (8–10am) when the light is soft and fewer tourists arrive.

Key spots: Id Kah Mosque (non-Muslims can enter, but dress modestly), the old tea house where Uyghur men gather to sing, and the pottery street.

I always tell my clients to get lost. Turn down any alley that looks interesting. You’ll discover small bakeries and carpet weavers. Always ask before photographing locals.

If you need a guide, the Tourist Info Center near Id Kah Mosque offers official English-speaking guides for around 150 RMB — worth it for the murals and history.

Day 5: Sunday Bazaar (Sunday Only!) and Id Kah Mosque

The Sunday Bazaar is one of the largest in Central Asia. It spreads across the eastern side of the city, near the old bus station. You’ll find livestock, carpets, spices, and tons of street food. Go early (around 9am) to beat the crowds and the heat.

Don’t miss the livestock section — it’s a sensory overload. The bazaar runs until about 6pm, but everything gets packed up by late afternoon.

Id Kah Mosque is right in the center of Old Town. It’s quiet during prayer times, but visitors are generally allowed outside of prayer. Entry costs about 20 RMB.

Day 6: Day Trip to Karakul Lake on the Pamir Highway

Karakul Lake sits at 3,600m on the Pamir Highway. The drive takes about 3–4 hours each way, but the scenery is jaw-dropping. You’ll pass snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and yurts.

You need a border permit to travel beyond Kashgar toward Tashkurgan. Ask your hotel to help you apply for it in advance, or use a tour company. Entry to the lake area is around 50 RMB.

Due to the altitude, avoid heavy alcohol and wear warm layers.

Day 7: Leave or Extend to Tashkurgan

If you have another day, consider extending to Tashkurgan — the town on the Tajik border. It requires the same permit. The drive is about 5 hours from Kashgar, and you’ll see the famous “Concrete Wall” and high-altitude grasslands.

Where to Stay in Urumqi and Kashgar: What Are My Options?

Best Hotels in Urumqi

Urumqi has everything from international chains to budget hostels. For a mid-range option, I like the Grand Mercure Urumqi (near People’s Square). It’s not cheap (around 400–600 RMB), but it has reliable Wi-Fi and a good breakfast.

For budget travelers, the Urumqi Youth Hostel on Xinhua Road is a social hub with dorm beds from 80 RMB.

Best Guesthouses in Kashgar Old Town

Stay inside the Old Town if you can. I recommend the “Lao Cheng Mi Ren” (Enigma of the Old Town) — it’s a courtyard-style guesthouse with traditional Uyghur architecture. Prices range from 120–250 RMB for a double room.

Another favorite is “Miran Inn,” also in the Old Town, known for its helpful staff and rooftop view. Book directly via WeChat or Trip.com.

Price Comparison Table (Urumqi vs Kashgar)

What to Eat Along the Urumqi–Kashgar Route

Urumqi Must-Eats: Big Plate Chicken and More

Big plate chicken (da pan ji) is a Uyghur-Chinese fusion dish that will change your life. It’s served in a massive pan with chicken, potatoes, and hand-pulled noodles. My go-to spot is “Xiao Fei Yang” (mentioned earlier) — it’s not fancy, but the flavor is consistent.

Also try “nang” (baked bread) and “chuanr” (lamb skewers). Urumqi has a street near the Grand Bazaar where skewers go for 5–10 RMB each.

Kashgar Flavors: Lagman, Kebab, and Nan

Kashgar is a paradise for meat lovers. Lagman is a hand-pulled noodle dish with lamb, tomatoes, and peppers. Every restaurant claims to have the best, but I always end up at “Dolak” on the main Old Town drag. It’s a no-frills place with a picture menu.

Don’t leave without trying “gosh nan” — bread stuffed with meat and onions, cooked in a tandoor oven. Find it at any bakery in the morning.

Where I Always Take My Clients (and What to Skip)

Skip the tourist trap restaurants directly in front of Id Kah Mosque. They’re overpriced and bland. Instead, walk two blocks down to the residential streets and look for places with plastic stools and no English sign. That’s where the locals eat.

One warning: Kashgar is not vegetarian-friendly. Even salads may include lamb bits. If you’re vegetarian, say “wo chi su” (I eat vegetarian) and ask for no meat.

Urumqi and Kashgar Itinerary: Sample 7-Day Budget

Here’s what you’ll roughly spend per person, excluding international flights:

Total: roughly 2,400–5,000 RMB ($330–$700). You can go lower by staying in dorms and eating only street food.

Urumqi and Kashgar Itinerary: What Do Travelers Ask Most?

Final Thoughts: My Golden Rule for the Urumqi–Kashgar Trip

The biggest mistake I see is overplanning. Travelers rush from one spot to the next, then burn out. My rule is: allow one extra day than you think you need, and keep an afternoon completely free for wandering.

This route rewards slow travel. Sit in that tea house for two hours. Get lost in the Old Town. Let yourself be surprised.

If you follow this guide, you’ll avoid the common pitfalls and experience the real Xinjiang. Have a great trip — and save me some nan.

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.