Entry costs, logistics, and why this Buddhist cave complex shaped by two separate eras of loss is genuinely worth the drive from Kuqa.
Travel China
West Park Kuitun Xinjiang: Lin Zexu History and Night Market
West Park Kuitun Xinjiang’s Lin Zexu history and Nine-Dragon Wall, plus the Yima Lane night market and Old Man Melon: a genuine rest day in Kuitun, Xinjiang.
Kuitun City Xinjiang: Train, Hotel and Souvenirs
Our first-hand guide to Kuitun City Xinjiang: the standing-room train from Yining, Feifan Hotel, Bazhen Chicken Hotpot, and where to buy Xinjiang souvenirs.
Kazanchi Yining Xinjiang: Old Uyghur Quarter and the Ili River
Our first-hand guide to the Kazanchi Folk Tourism Area in Yining, Xinjiang: courtyard etiquette, best photo times, milk tea, and a sunset at the Ili River.
Liuxing Street Yining: A Full Guide to Xinjiang’s Old Quarter
A first-hand guide to Liuxing Street Yining: history, food, shopping, and how to get there from Horgos, with real prices from our own Xinjiang trip.
Visiting the China Kazakhstan Border at Horgos: Guozigou Bridge, Checkpoints & Duty-Free Shopping
We drove from Bole to Horgos on the China Kazakhstan border, crossed the Guozigou Bridge, and checked out the Free Trade Zone’s duty-free shopping firsthand.
Sayram Lake Xinjiang: A Full Day Trip Guide from Bole
Real prices, permit facts, and honest tips from our own day trip to Sayram Lake, one of Xinjiang’s most striking alpine lakes, including the transfer through Kuitun and Bole.
Kanas Three Bays: Wolong, Moon & Shenxian Bay Walk Guide
After a day trip out to Baihaba Village, we were back in Kanas for our third and final night. This was the day we’d been looking forward to most: the Kanas Three Bays, the string of river bends most people picture when they picture Kanas at all. We started at the furthest bay and walked…
Baihaba Village Xinjiang: An Honest Day Trip Guide (Permits, Tickets & Horse Riding)
Day 11 of our Xinjiang trip took us on a day trip from Kanas Lake to Baihaba Village Xinjiang, right on the Kazakhstan border. We’d just spent the previous day sorting out the transfer from Hemu Village to Kanas, and Baihaba was the next stop we’d already flagged permits for. Baihaba has a reputation online as…
Hemu Village to Kanas Lake, Xinjiang: The Transfer, Tickets & Permit Guide
We left Hemu Village on day 10 of our Xinjiang trip, headed for Kanas Lake. It’s the next stop on the same Altay/Kanas region loop. That loop started with our drive up the Ahe Highway to Hemu and three days exploring the village itself, most recently Hemu’s sunrise, the Hundred Year Old House and Hongbasi Grassland. Getting from…
