Travel tips: what, when and where

The best time to see the Islamic culture of Xinjiang is during the Islamic holidays: Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (usually called Qurban Festival in China), when celebrations take place throughout the cities and countryside. In 2009, the Eid ul-Fitr will be around Sep 21, and Eid al-Adha around Nov 28.

The high tourist season in Xinjiang is from July to September. In the low season, accommodation rates and airfares usually drop sharply.

Transportation in Xinjiang includes air, railway and road. While railways only reach the eastern (like Turpan and Hami) and southwestern parts (like Kuqa, Aksu and Kashgar) of Xinjiang, roads are well developed. Major cities in Xinjiang, such as Yining, Kashgar and Hotan, are connected with Urumqi by air. To go to less popular spots like Tuyugou, you need to rent a car or go in a shared taxi from the nearby city.