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It's easy to forget things in the last three days after finalizing your itinerary. Organizing your checklist by time is more effective than flipping through travel guides right before you leave.
72 Hours: ID & Tickets#
ID card, border pass (required for Tashkurgan, Baihaba, etc.), student ID and other discount certificates; confirm flight and train tickets are booked and scenic spot reservations are secured; verify all accommodation check-in times are confirmed.
- Apply for the border pass at your place of household registration or an authorized location—don't wait until the last minute.
- Peak-season appointment slots are limited. Book your visit first, then purchase tickets.
- Save order screenshot to gallery for offline viewing
24 Hours: Medications & Equipment#
Essential Medications (cold, stomach, pain relief, motion sickness), band-aids, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses; power bank and car charger. Rain gear and warm layers. Xinjiang has a large temperature difference between day and night, so bring a jacket even in summer.
- Keep medication in original packaging and instructions
- Power banks must be carried on board; they are not allowed in checked baggage.
- Liquids and sunscreen must be transferred to smaller containers per airline regulations.
On Departure Day: 3 Things#
Check flight status and arrange airport pickup; send itinerary and accommodation details to family; pack a light jacket and a bottle of water in your bag.
First Hour After Landing#
Drop off your luggage at the accommodation first, then decide whether to head out for the day. Purchase a local SIM card or confirm your data plan. Verify your departure time with the driver for the next day.
Refer to the complete pre-departure preparation guide.Document and Border Pass ProcessingLayer your outfits.Seasonal Dressing Guide。
Phone & Network#
Ensure your mobile plan includes sufficient data, or purchase a local SIM card upon arrival. Save the driver's, homestay's, and customer service numbers in your contacts and add them to your notes so you can find them even if you switch phones.
Share itinerary with family#
One-page summary listing daily destinations, accommodation names and phone numbers, and group size. Share a copy with family and keep a printed version yourself. Notify them in advance if you'll be in areas without signal to prevent worry.
Three things to do after landing#
Confirm the pickup location after collecting your luggage. Drop off your bags at your accommodation before heading out, and verify tomorrow's departure time and meeting point with your driver. Once these three steps are done, your itinerary is set.
Return and Wrap-up#
Weigh luggage and organize tickets the day before departure. Wrap fragile items in clothing and place them in the center. Confirm whether dried fruits and dairy products can be checked.
Keep your accommodation and driver contact details until checkout in case you need to make a temporary rebooking.
It's more organized to sort through photos and bills at home than to keep postponing them on the road.
Every trip ends, and every new plan begins.
Final confirmation before departure#
Write down the flight number, arrival time, and your driver's phone number on a piece of paper and put it in your pocket.
Send the accommodation address to the driver to avoid going to the wrong hotel with a similar name.
Keep power banks, medications, and documents in your carry-on bag. Check other luggage.
Take a photo of your luggage before you leave. It helps if something gets lost.
Once you've completed these preparations for your Xinjiang trip, the rest is just following the schedule. If you need to check each item on your itinerary, feel free to ask.Customer Support。
Pre-departure Checkpoints#
The Northern Xinjiang itinerary typically includes half-days on the arrival and departure days, with 2–3 stops per day in between for a relaxed pace. Scheduling pre-trip preparations 72 hours before departure in the first half of the trip allows flexibility to accommodate weather changes; placing them in the second half helps better align with return travel arrangements.
Itinerary connection reminder#
When planning a route in northern Xinjiang, first confirm scenic area opening hours and the last shuttle bus departure time, then work backward to determine your accommodation. 72 hours before departure: During peak season, traffic congestion is common at entry points. Leaving 30 minutes earlier often helps you avoid long queues.
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