Xinjiang was the crossroads of the Silk Road. Trace the northern and southern routes, the oasis kingdoms you can visit, and 2,000 years of living history.
Xinjiang’s snowmelt rivers offer surprising rafting and kayaking. Learn the best rivers, seasons, safety rules, and how to pair paddling with a road trip.
Bargaining in Xinjiang bazaars is expected, not rude. How to haggle a carpet without insult, and how to read a real one from a printed copy.
Bozo is the fizzy fermented millet drink of the south. What it tastes like, how it differs from kumiss and kvass, and where to try it without regret.
Tajik homestays near Tashkurgan are the high point of a Pamir trip. What the stay is like, the permit you need, and why the hospitality is the real sight.
You can still ride camels along the desert edge in Xinjiang. What the treks are like, which deserts offer them, and how to prepare for the sand.
Hotan jade is famous and faked. What real nephrite looks like, where the honest market is, and the tests I use before I pay.
The Tarim mummies in Urumqi’s regional museum are older than anything else here. What they are, why they matter, and how to see them well.
Xinjiang is photogenic, but pointing a camera at people needs care. The rules I follow so the shot does not cost the relationship.
Chinese public holidays change Xinjiang travel completely. Which weeks to avoid, what stays open, and how I plan around the crowds.