What to eat in Xinjiang

Xinjiang food is characterized by roast mutton, kebabs, roast fish and hand-pulled noodles. That actually is quite different from that of the rest of China. Pull up a chair at a small Uygur restaurant, you will be treated as the most honored guest even if you don't speak the local language.

What kind of items should I bring when traveling to Xinjiang

Personal care items:Sun cream SPF30+, moisturizing skincare products, anti-bacterial hand snitizer, wipes, basic medicines, feminine items, shaving items, etc.Other things:Your passport or other identity documents, phone or laptop charger, power bank, waterbottle, camera, energy snack, ear plugs, etc.

What are the Dos and Donts for Xinjiang travel?

Do remember that there is 2hrs time difference between Xinjiang and Beijing, but the official time in Xinjiang is still Beijing Time.The taste of Xinjiang food is usually sour, spicy, and sweet. Most dishes contain onions, chili peppers and tomatoes. If you cannot accept any of them, do remember to inform the restaurant in advance.Xinjiang cuisine tends to have a lot of meat. If your digestive system cannot afford, don't force yourself. Vegetable and fruit are also nice choicesExcept Pamir Plateau in Tashkurgan, there is almost no need to worry the high altitude sickness in other regions of Xinjiang.There may be some security checks in Xinjiang. But don't worry, just regular checks like you have experienced in train stations and airports. Just cooperate and be patient so that the procedures will go smoothly and quickly.

Are there any taboos of ethnic groups in Xinjiang?

After washing your hands or face, please do not shake the water off your hands.Most ethnic minorities in Xinjiang believe in Islam and they do not eat pork and some of them even do not drink alcohol.When eating and having conversation with locals, do remember that spitting, sniveling, gaping, burping, and breaking wind are impolite. To be a guest in a Uygur family, wash hands before and after the meal and dry them with a towel, but only three times.When dining in a Uygur family, do not fiddle food on hands, do not go to the front of cookstoves, do not leave food in the bowl and do not let rice fall.If you'd like to take photos of local people or take photos with them, you'd better ask them first.

Xinjiang Group Tours: Best Small Group Tour Packages

Review for 14 Days Silk Road Classic Tour

Hello Lesley,

Thanks very much to you and your team of office staff and guides.
Our family had a wonderful time in China.
It certainly helped having an organised tour to get through the Silk Road sections.
You must do a lot of hard work behind the scenes. Best wishes for tourism in the region.

Kind regards,

Wayne Erb

New Zealand

Oct 15, 2025

Review for 20 Days trips from Urumqi, Kashgar to Xi'an

we are back in KL and would like to give our feedback for your service improvement as follows:

1) overall it was a good trip but it could be better if we could hv traveled the entire Ahe Hwy n see the aqua farm
in the desert...understand the aqua farm is not open to tourists...

2) the hotels in Fukang n Fuhai hv plumbing problem in their rooms....since it was just a night stay,
we didn't want to complain....
but the hotels in Hemu n Kanas are below standard,
rooms are dated n toilet plumbing were also problematic...

3) the drivers were great, courteous n helpful...drove safely n on time....

4) all the tour guides were very nice people....courteous, helpful n personable....
Anne n Lisa were best... good in English, know the local history/culture n were very informative...
they can match if not better than some I hv come across in my earlier trips....
next is Wishy n Abdul needs to improve his local knowledge n English.....
pls note this feedback is not meant as criticism but to help them to self improve....
we like all of them n enjoyed their friendship..

5) they gave good recommendations on local food which we all enjoyed....
we could be wrong but we think one restaurant had overcharged us, will let you hv details...again,
take it as not a complaint but as a feedback....
if it's true, avoid taking tourists there again 😉

cc: Mr. Liew

Sep 30, 2025

Review for 7 Days Exotic Xinjiang to Kashgar, Urumqi and Turpan

The tour organisers were excellent and responded to all our inquiries promptly and efficiently. The guides were knowledgeable, I'm so glad to travel with you guys! In these days your tour guide and local driver gives us many recommedation, I take a lot of photos and make many chinese friends here. I'd like to introduce xinjiang travel to my friends as well! Thank you for your caring~

Jun 3, 2025

Review for 7 Days Silk Road Classic Tour

We had an amazing trip to Xinjiang from 31/8/25 - 7/9/2025.
The entire trip was filled with stunning landscapes, unique culture and friendly hospitality.

Everything from itinerary to transportation and activities was well organised and ran smoothly.
Although there were a few minor hiccups along the way (as is usual with travel),
it did not detract from the overall experience at all.

I thoroughly enjoyed every part of the trip
from the stunning mountains of Altay county to the vibrant cities and peaceful nature of Urumqi.
A huge thank you to Ms Leah and everyone involved in making this trip unforgettable.
I would definitely recommend this experience to others, and I can't wait to visit again!

Oct 23, 2025

Review for Urumqi—Turpan—Kanas—Altay—Kashgar—Hotan—Dunhuang—Zhangye—Xian

Thanks Leslie, just got home a few hours ago.

I just want to say thank you for all your arrangements to make our trip go through smoothly.

I also want to thank our tour guides for being kind, patient and knowledgeable.

Thanks once again, it was a great trip and experience!

Oct 19, 2025

Review for 14 Days Silk Road Classic Tour

Hello Lesley,

Thanks very much to you and your team of office staff and guides.
Our family had a wonderful time in China.
It certainly helped having an organised tour to get through the Silk Road sections.
You must do a lot of hard work behind the scenes. Best wishes for tourism in the region.

Kind regards,

Wayne Erb

New Zealand

Oct 15, 2025

Review for 20 Days trips from Urumqi, Kashgar to Xi'an

we are back in KL and would like to give our feedback for your service improvement as follows:

1) overall it was a good trip but it could be better if we could hv traveled the entire Ahe Hwy n see the aqua farm
in the desert...understand the aqua farm is not open to tourists...

2) the hotels in Fukang n Fuhai hv plumbing problem in their rooms....since it was just a night stay,
we didn't want to complain....
but the hotels in Hemu n Kanas are below standard,
rooms are dated n toilet plumbing were also problematic...

3) the drivers were great, courteous n helpful...drove safely n on time....

4) all the tour guides were very nice people....courteous, helpful n personable....
Anne n Lisa were best... good in English, know the local history/culture n were very informative...
they can match if not better than some I hv come across in my earlier trips....
next is Wishy n Abdul needs to improve his local knowledge n English.....
pls note this feedback is not meant as criticism but to help them to self improve....
we like all of them n enjoyed their friendship..

5) they gave good recommendations on local food which we all enjoyed....
we could be wrong but we think one restaurant had overcharged us, will let you hv details...again,
take it as not a complaint but as a feedback....
if it's true, avoid taking tourists there again 😉

cc: Mr. Liew

Sep 30, 2025

Review for 7 Days Exotic Xinjiang to Kashgar, Urumqi and Turpan

The tour organisers were excellent and responded to all our inquiries promptly and efficiently. The guides were knowledgeable, I'm so glad to travel with you guys! In these days your tour guide and local driver gives us many recommedation, I take a lot of photos and make many chinese friends here. I'd like to introduce xinjiang travel to my friends as well! Thank you for your caring~

Jun 3, 2025

Review for 7 Days Silk Road Classic Tour

We had an amazing trip to Xinjiang from 31/8/25 - 7/9/2025.
The entire trip was filled with stunning landscapes, unique culture and friendly hospitality.

Everything from itinerary to transportation and activities was well organised and ran smoothly.
Although there were a few minor hiccups along the way (as is usual with travel),
it did not detract from the overall experience at all.

I thoroughly enjoyed every part of the trip
from the stunning mountains of Altay county to the vibrant cities and peaceful nature of Urumqi.
A huge thank you to Ms Leah and everyone involved in making this trip unforgettable.
I would definitely recommend this experience to others, and I can't wait to visit again!

Oct 23, 2025

Review for Urumqi—Turpan—Kanas—Altay—Kashgar—Hotan—Dunhuang—Zhangye—Xian

Thanks Leslie, just got home a few hours ago.

I just want to say thank you for all your arrangements to make our trip go through smoothly.

I also want to thank our tour guides for being kind, patient and knowledgeable.

Thanks once again, it was a great trip and experience!

Oct 19, 2025

Review for 14 Days Silk Road Classic Tour

Hello Lesley,

Thanks very much to you and your team of office staff and guides.
Our family had a wonderful time in China.
It certainly helped having an organised tour to get through the Silk Road sections.
You must do a lot of hard work behind the scenes. Best wishes for tourism in the region.

Kind regards,

Wayne Erb

New Zealand

Oct 15, 2025

Review for 20 Days trips from Urumqi, Kashgar to Xi'an

we are back in KL and would like to give our feedback for your service improvement as follows:

1) overall it was a good trip but it could be better if we could hv traveled the entire Ahe Hwy n see the aqua farm
in the desert...understand the aqua farm is not open to tourists...

2) the hotels in Fukang n Fuhai hv plumbing problem in their rooms....since it was just a night stay,
we didn't want to complain....
but the hotels in Hemu n Kanas are below standard,
rooms are dated n toilet plumbing were also problematic...

3) the drivers were great, courteous n helpful...drove safely n on time....

4) all the tour guides were very nice people....courteous, helpful n personable....
Anne n Lisa were best... good in English, know the local history/culture n were very informative...
they can match if not better than some I hv come across in my earlier trips....
next is Wishy n Abdul needs to improve his local knowledge n English.....
pls note this feedback is not meant as criticism but to help them to self improve....
we like all of them n enjoyed their friendship..

5) they gave good recommendations on local food which we all enjoyed....
we could be wrong but we think one restaurant had overcharged us, will let you hv details...again,
take it as not a complaint but as a feedback....
if it's true, avoid taking tourists there again 😉

cc: Mr. Liew

Sep 30, 2025

Review for 7 Days Exotic Xinjiang to Kashgar, Urumqi and Turpan

The tour organisers were excellent and responded to all our inquiries promptly and efficiently. The guides were knowledgeable, I'm so glad to travel with you guys! In these days your tour guide and local driver gives us many recommedation, I take a lot of photos and make many chinese friends here. I'd like to introduce xinjiang travel to my friends as well! Thank you for your caring~

Jun 3, 2025