Xinjiang, covering 1/6 of China’s territory, is a land of snow-capped mountains, deserts, grasslands, and diverse ethnic cultures. For foreign tourists, budgeting is critical—costs vary by season, route, and travel style. This guide breaks down core expenses and shares money-saving tips to help you explore Xinjiang affordably.
Core Xinjiang Travel Costs for Foreign Tourists
Xinjiang’s vastness (over 1,000km from Kanas to Kashgar) makes transportation the biggest expense. Costs focus on four areas: transport, accommodation, tickets, and catering. Knowing their ranges prevents overspending.
1. Transportation: The Biggest Expense
Transport dominates Xinjiang travel costs, with two key parts: international round-trip and domestic travel. Smart choices cut costs significantly.
International Transport: Most fly to Beijing/Shanghai then transfer to Urumqi. Frankfurt-Beijing round-trip: €500-1,200 (off-peak/peak). Beijing-Urumqi: ¥800-2,500. Land entry from Kazakhstan (via border pass: ¥200-300) suits backpackers.
Domestic Transport: Flights: Urumqi-Kanas (¥600-1,800), Urumqi-Kashgar (¥400-1,200). High-speed rail: Urumqi-Turpan (¥50-80, 2hrs). Buses: Urumqi-Yili (¥150-200, 8-10hrs) for budget travelers.
Charter/Shared Rides: Mainstream for remote areas (Kanas, Nalati). 5-seater: ¥600-1,200/day; 7-seater: ¥900-1,500/day (includes driver/fuel, no meals/accommodation). 4-person share: ¥200-400/person/day.
2. Accommodation: Flexible Options
Accommodation ranges from ¥50 youth hostel beds to ¥5,000 5-star hotels. Most Xinjiang hotels/homestays accept foreigners—confirm in advance and carry a passport.
Urumqi: Budget hotels (¥150-400/night), mid-range (¥500-1,500), ethnic homestays (¥300-600).
Scenic Areas: Kanas wooden houses (¥300-1,500/night, book 1-2 months early in peak season). Nalati: ¥200-800/night, yurts (¥200-300). Kashgar Old Town: Budget homestays (¥150-300).
Accommodation Tips: Book 2-3 months early in peak season; stay in nearby counties (e.g., Burqin instead of Kanas, 30-50% cheaper); share suites for group travel.
3. Attraction Tickets: Fixed Costs with Discounts
Most 5A scenic spots cost ¥100-200, plus internal transport fees (easily overlooked). Foreigners pay the same as domestic tourists, with seasonal discounts.
Key Ticket Prices: Kanas (¥80-160 + ¥110 transport); Nalati (¥47-95 + ¥40); Tianchi (¥155 + ¥90). Kashgar Old Town (free), Id Kah Mosque (¥45); Kuqa Grand Canyon (¥40).
Ticket Discounts: 50% off in off-season (Nov-Apr); 30-50% with international student ID; 20-30% savings on combined tickets (Kanas+Hemu+Baihaba).
4. Catering: Cost-Effective Xinjiang Flavors
Catering is affordable, with large portions of beef, mutton, noodles, and fruits—an ideal way to experience local culture.
Daily meals: Lamian/pilaf (¥15-30), roasted lamb leg (¥80-120 for 2-3), hand-grasped meat (¥60-80/plate). Scenic area meals (¥50-80) are cheaper than most Chinese tourist spots.
Fruits (grapes, Hami melon): ¥5-15/kg; nuts (walnuts, badam): ¥50-100/kg (great souvenirs).
Catering Money-Saving Tips: The biggest tip is to dine at local restaurants rather than tourist-oriented ones—look for places filled with local residents, as these are usually cheaper and more authentic (saving you 30% or more compared to tourist restaurants). For example, in Urumqi, the restaurants near the Grand Bazaar’s back streets are more affordable than those on the main tourist street. Second, choose hotels that include breakfast—many mid-range hotels offer Western-style and Chinese breakfast buffets, allowing you to fill up in the morning and reduce the need for a heavy lunch. Third, for group travel, sharing dishes is more cost-effective—ordering 2-3 main dishes and a few side dishes for 3-4 people costs less than each person ordering individually, and you get to try more varieties of food.
Jiaohe Ancient City
Xinjiang Travel Costs by Travel Style
The total cost of your Xinjiang trip depends largely on your chosen travel style, as each mode offers different levels of flexibility, comfort, and cost. Whether you’re a budget backpacker, a first-time traveler seeking convenience, or a luxury traveler pursuing a personalized experience, there’s a suitable option. Below are detailed cost breakdowns and recommendations for the three most mainstream travel styles, based on 7-10 day trips (note: all costs exclude international round-trip transportation, which varies by your home country).
1. Independent Travel (Flexible, ¥12,000-16,000/person)
Suitable for those with planning skills or translation tools. Example: 8-day northern Xinjiang trip (Urumqi-Kanas-Yili):
- Transport: ¥11,450 (international transfer, flights, shared charter)
- Accommodation: ¥1,300 (mid-range hotels/homestays)
- Tickets: ¥850 (scenic spots + transport)
- Food: ¥1,200 (¥100-150/day)
- Others: ¥1,000 (shopping, insurance)
The key to cost control for independent travel is advance planning. Booking flights and accommodation 2-3 months in advance can avoid peak-season price hikes (which can be 50% higher if booked last minute). If you’re on a tighter budget, you can reduce costs by switching to budget hotels or youth hostels (saving ¥300-500 per person) or traveling in off-seasons (lowering the total budget to ¥12,000-13,000 per person). Additionally, using public transportation for short distances (like buses in Urumqi) instead of taxis can save another ¥100-200.
2. Group Travel (Worry-Free, ¥5,000-20,000/person)
Ideal for first-time visitors. Multilingual tour groups include domestic transport, accommodation, tickets, and partial meals.
7-day northern Xinjiang tour: Budget (¥5,000-7,000 off-peak; ¥8,000-10,000 peak); high-end (¥15,000-20,000). Confirm agency qualifications and contract details to avoid hidden costs.
Group travel is convenient but less flexible. Read contracts carefully to clarify inclusions.
3. Customized Travel (Premium, ¥25,000-30,000/person)
Tailored for families, honeymooners, or quality seekers. Itineraries adjust to preferences, with multilingual guides and premium services.
Example: 10-day southern Xinjiang trip for 4 (7-seater car, 5-star hotels, desert camping): ¥25,000-30,000/person (includes domestic transport, meals, tickets).
High cost but unmatched privacy and flexibility—ideal for budget-abundant travelers.
Exclusive Tips for Foreign Tourists
Foreign tourists face unique challenges when planning Xinjiang travel costs, such as document preparation and cultural differences, which can lead to unexpected expenses if not handled properly. Mastering the following exclusive tips will help you optimize your budget, avoid extra costs, and ensure a respectful and enjoyable trip.
1. Travel in Off-Peak Seasons (Save 30%)
Seasonal Cost Differences: Season is the single biggest factor affecting Xinjiang travel costs, with peak and off-season prices differing by up to 2-3 times. Peak seasons in Xinjiang are July-August (summer vacation, when families travel with children, and grasslands are in full bloom) and October 1-7 (National Day Holiday, a major Chinese holiday with a surge in domestic tourists). During these periods, flight tickets, accommodation, and charter fees increase by 50-100%, and popular scenic spots are overcrowded, reducing the travel experience. The off-season is from November to April of the next year, when the weather is cold in northern Xinjiang (Kanas is covered in snow, suitable for winter sports enthusiasts), but southern Xinjiang (Kashgar, Hotan) has mild weather (10-15°C during the day) and significantly lower costs—accommodation and transportation fees drop to 30-50% of peak season prices.
Best times: April-May (Yili apricot blossoms, 70-80% of peak costs) or September (golden Kanas, fewer crowds, stable prices).
2. Prepare Documents in Advance
Essential Documents: The most basic document for foreign tourists is a valid Chinese visa (L-type tourist visa is the most common, with a validity period of 30-90 days). Without a valid visa, you cannot board flights to China, so ensure it is valid for the entire duration of your trip. For traveling to border areas (such as Taxkorgan County in Kashgar, which borders Pakistan and Tajikistan, or Horgos Port), you must apply for a “Foreign Travel Permit” in advance. This permit is issued by the Urumqi Public Security Bureau or the Kashgar Public Security Bureau, costs 100 RMB, and takes 3-5 working days to process (you need to submit your passport, visa, and itinerary). If you fail to apply for this permit in advance, you will be denied entry at the border checkpoint, resulting in wasted travel costs and itinerary disruptions.
Ticket Booking Tips: Unlike domestic tourists who use ID cards, foreign tourists must use their passports to book flights, high-speed rail tickets, and scenic spot tickets. It’s recommended to bind your passport information on mainstream booking platforms (Ctrip, Fliggy) in advance to avoid delays when booking. Many scenic spots in Xinjiang implement real-name system reservations (especially during peak seasons), so book tickets 1-3 days in advance through the scenic spot’s official website or booking platforms. Not only does this guarantee your entry (popular spots like Kanas often sell out during peak seasons), but many platforms offer small discounts (5-10%) for advance bookings, further optimizing your budget.
3. Avoid Hidden Costs
Shop wisely: Buy Hetian jade at regular malls (ask for invoices/certificates). Bargain for handicrafts (10-20% off) in Kashgar Old Town or Urumqi Grand Bazaar.
Confirm prices for paid activities (horse riding, desert off-roading) in advance. Sign formal contracts for charters to clarify inclusions (fuel, driver’s fee).
4. Respect Local Culture
Xinjiang is multi-ethnic: Remove shoes in mosques, women wear headscarves; avoid sensitive topics. Abide by scenic spot rules (no smoking, photography restrictions) to avoid fines.
Respecting local customs ensures a smooth trip and avoids unnecessary expenses.
Plan Wisely, Explore Xinjiang
Xinjiang’s beauty is beyond description—from the snow-capped Tianshan Mountains to the endless grasslands, from the ancient streets of Kashgar to the crystal-clear waters of Kanas Lake, every corner offers a unique charm that is worth the journey. Planning your travel costs wisely does not mean sacrificing experience; instead, it allows you to allocate your budget to the things that matter most—whether it’s a comfortable stay, a delicious meal, or an exclusive cultural experience.
