Where you land in Xinjiang directly affects your first-day transfer distance and overall itinerary direction. Urumqi, Yining, and Kashgar are the three most common entry and exit points. Their flight frequencies and connection options vary significantly, so review their characteristics before choosing.
1. What are the common airports in Xinjiang?
Common airports for arrivals and departures in Xinjiang include Urumqi Diwopu, Yining, Kashgar, Korla, Aksu, and Altay. Urumqi offers the most flight options and widest fare choices, making it the default entry and exit point for most itineraries. Flights to Yining, Kashgar, and other destinations are less frequent but can save hundreds of kilometers of ground travel. Korla, Aksu, and Altay are typically used for transfer connections, with fewer direct flights available.
Before choosing entry and exit points, sketch a simple route: start point, end point, and must-visit stops in between. If both ends are in Northern Xinjiang, returning to the same city is smoother. If traveling from Northern to Southern Xinjiang, different cities for entry and exit save you from a long detour. Clarify this first, then check flight options—the choice will become clear.
II. Urumqi Arrivals and Departures: Frequent Flights, Long Transfers
Urumqi to Sayram Lake is about 500 km (6 hours by car); to Kanas it's about 680 km (9–10 hours). The North Xinjiang loop or a North–South Xinjiang route works best when entering and exiting from Urumqi, often with cheaper flights. The downside: you'll usually face a long drive right after arrival, so don't overpack your first day.
- High flight frequency means more frequent discount opportunities.
- Ideal for the Northern Xinjiang loop and connecting routes, with seamless transitions.
- Plan to rest near your arrival location; avoid long-distance travel immediately.
3. Yining Access: The Shortcut to Ili
If your itinerary focuses on Ili Grasslands and Sayram Lake, flying directly to Yining saves approximately 600 km of backtracking and lets you enter the scenic area on day one. The downside is limited direct flights and higher fares during peak seasons, so book tickets in advance.Sayram LakeConnect with Yili Grassland for a more time-efficient trip starting and ending in Yining.
ScheduleKanasVisitors joining the tour typically fly to Urumqi first, then transfer to Altay or Burqin. Whether to continue traveling on the arrival day depends on your arrival time. The distance from Burqin to Kanas is approximately 140 km, with many mountain roads; travel usually takes 2.5 to 3 hours.
IV. Kashgar: The Gateway to Southern Xinjiang and the Pamirs
Kashgar is the hub of southern Xinjiang flights. Flying directly to Kashgar connects you immediately to the ancient city and Pamir regions, saving about 1000 km compared to routing through Urumqi. The southern Xinjiang route typically features entering via Kashgar and exiting via Urumqi, forming a one-way loop that minimizes backtracking. Kashgar city center is only about 10 km from the airport; taxi rides take approximately 20 minutes.
- Direct flights to Kashgar save approximately 1000 km of overland detours.
- Itinerary suitable for the ancient city, Pamir, and Taxkorgan direction.
- The terrain in Southern Xinjiang varies greatly in elevation. Do not ascend to high altitude on the day of arrival.
5. Fares and Booking Timing
Urumqi routes are plentiful with frequent discounts; book 1 to 2 months in advance for more options. Direct flights to Yining and Kashgar during peak season are often tight, with prices typically above $1,000; final pricing is subject to availability at time of booking. Connecting flights are cheaper but take longer; allow 2 to 3 hours for connections.
Beyond the base fare, airport taxes, fuel surcharges, and baggage allowances also affect your total cost. Some low-priced tickets do not include checked baggage, so travelers carrying extra luggage should factor this in—don't just look at the ticket price.
- Book early for more options, especially during peak seasons.
- Allow at least 2 to 3 hours for connections and check if your luggage is checked through.
- For round trips with different departure and arrival airports, confirm your return airport in advance.
What are the arrangements for the first day after landing?
Arrive and rest that evening. Stay nearby and get some early sleep; start the official itinerary the next day. If you arrive early and your flight is on time, consider a light sightseeing stop in the city or its outskirts instead of rushing 500 km away immediately upon landing.
6. How to combine inbound and outbound flights for maximum convenience
The most common approach is to enter and exit from the same city via a loop. For long-distance one-way trips, consider entering and exiting from different cities—for example, entering in Urumqi and exiting in Kashgar—to avoid lengthy backtracking. Aligning your airport arrival with your first day's itinerary helps prevent spending seven to eight hours driving on day one. If you have a lot of luggage, factor in the cost of transporting it when choosing an open-jaw trip; try to travel light.
Coordinate your arrival and departure times with ground transportation. Kashgar and Yining airports are both within 20 km of the city center, with taxi rides taking approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Urumqi airport is about 20 km from downtown; during peak hours, travel may take over 40 minutes. Aligning your flight landing time with pickup arrangements will make your first day more relaxed.
Conclusion
Key to choosing an airport: align arrival and departure with your travel direction to minimize backtracking. For Northern Xinjiang, consider Urumqi; for Ili, Yining may be better; for Southern Xinjiang, Kashgar is often the starting point. To plan arrivals and departures by route, see our guide below.Line Overview, or call Xinjiang International Travel's inquiry line at 18999127242.
