Xinjiang China Travel Guide
A VPN an absolute for accessing international websites and apps within China. Download and subscribe to your chosen VPN Before you China.
Baidu Maps navigation (mainly in Chinese, but most accurate for China), Apple Maps (limited functionality within China), Google Maps (limited functionality without VPN, but with VPN and offline maps). Download offline maps for your chosen app.
Google Translate (download Chinese language pack for offline ), Pleco (excellent offline Chinese dictionary, recognizes handwritten characters).
WeChat for communication and many payments within China. WhatsApp VPN.
China's Uber equivalent, if you set up the app with a Chinese number/payment.
Ctrip China's largest OTA, for accommodations and domestic flights/trains.
Use trusted platforms for domestic flights within China.
Book train tickets in advance, especially for popular routes.
Keep all your bookings and plans organized in one place.
Stay updated on exchange rates for local currency.
Consult your country's foreign travel advisory website (e.g., U.S. Department of State, UK FCDO, Canadian Global Affairs). These sites current travel warnings, safety advisories, and entry for China and Xinjiang. Regularly check for updates.
While specific, detailed English resources for Xinjiang may limited, general China tourism sites some information. Verify information carefully, especially accessibility to specific areas.
Forums like those on TripAdvisor or Lp latest traveler stories and Kashgar. Exercise care and cross-reference information, as situations change rapidly.
Explore podcasts on Silk Road history and Central Asian cultures for rich background context.
View documentaries and travel vlogs to visualize Kashgar and understand daily life.
Listen to traditional Uyghur music, especially the Muqam, to experience local... deeply sounds.
Always emergency numbers and embassy contacts readily . Be aware that situations change.
Search for documentaries on the Silk Road, Xinjiang, or Uyghur culture. These visual context and introduce you to the region's history and people.
Be aware that some documentaries may specific perspectives or political biases.
Look for films that explore the historical Silk Road commerce routes and their impact.
Listen to traditional Uyghur music, particularly the "Muqam," a sophisticated and rich musical form that an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Artists like Abdulla Abdurehim well-known.
Explore Uyghur visual arts, the intricate patterns of carpet weaving, the special styles of their pottery, and traditional calligraphy.
Seek out local art galleries or cultural centers in Kashgar to see traditional crafts.
Join travel forums (e.g., on Reddit, TripAdvisor, or China travel forums) to connect with other travelers who have visited or planning to visit Xinjiang.
For basic Mandarin, resources like Duolingo, Memrise, or Pimsleur accessible. For Uyghur, resources more limited, yet some online platforms or niche language learning apps might basic phrases.
Explore online learning communities for photography courses to capture Kashgar's unique scenes.
Download and subscribe to a reliable VPN service. Crucially, test it to that it works Before you China.
