Xinjiang is larger than many countries and must be planned as several journeys: northern forests and lakes, Ili grasslands, the Tianshan crossing, Turpan's desert oases, Kashgar and the Pamirs, or the long southern basin. Urumqi is the main hub, not a day-trip base for the entire region. Choose one circuit, budget real travel days and verify roads, weather and border-area documents before moving.
