Xinjiang Border Permit (边防证) Guide: Who Needs It and How to Apply
Do you need a Xinjiang border permit (边防证)? Our guide explains who needs it, which areas require it, and how to apply at PSB offices in Kashgar or Urumqi.
-
-
Xinjiang Noodle Soups: Ququ, Suytash, and the Broth Side of Wheat
Not all Xinjiang noodles are dry — ququ (Uyghur wontons) and suytash (noodle soup) bring broth to the table. Here’s the soupy side of the region’s wheat culture and where to find it.
-
Halal & Vegetarian Eating in Xinjiang: Navigating the Meat-Heavy Table
Xinjiang is overwhelmingly halal and heavily meat-based — but vegetables, bread, and fruit make it workable for lighter and meat-free eaters. This guide covers what’s safe, what’s available, and how to order.
-
Shopping & Souvenirs in Xinjiang: What to Buy and Where
Xinjiang’s bazaars sell jade, carpets, knives, dried fruit, and silk — but quality varies wildly. This guide covers the best buys, the real vs. fake, and how to haggle without embarrassment.
-
Xinjiang by Month: Weather, Best Time to Visit & What to Pack
Month-by-month Xinjiang weather table, the best time to visit Xinjiang, and a full seasonal packing list. Start planning your trip with our free climate guide.
-
Taklamakan Desert Travel Guide: Best Season and the Oasis Towns Along the Way
Plan your trip with this Taklamakan Desert travel guide: desert highways, oasis cities, Silk Road ruins, best season, and driving tips. Start planning now.
-
The Ultimate Pamir Plateau Travel Guide (2026)
Our Pamir Plateau travel guide covers Karakul Lake, Muztagh Ata, Khunjerab Pass, permits, and the best season. Plan your Xinjiang plateau adventure today.
-
7-Day North Xinjiang Itinerary: Lakes, Grasslands, and the Duku
A tight 7-day north-Xinjiang loop covering Urumqi, Sayram, the Ili valley, Nalati, and the Duku Highway. This day-by-day plan balances the icons with the drive.
-
Driving the Border Checkpoints: What to Expect on Xinjiang’s Controlled Roads
Xinjiang’s frontier roads run through police checkpoints — routine, not alarming. This guide covers what happens at a checkpoint, the documents to have ready, and how to pass smoothly.
-
Xinjiang’s Scenic Byways: Panlong, Duku, and the Roads Worth the Detour
Beyond the highways, Xinjiang has signature scenic roads — the 600-curve Panlong, the Duku, and the cliffside G218. This guide ranks the must-drive byways and what makes each special.
