The plane landed in Urumqi at 4 PM. As soon as the door opened, sunlight streamed diagonally into the jet bridge. We booked our first night in the city center to avoid driving hundreds of kilometers on arrival day. Whether you fly or take a train into Xinjiang, the transfer methods differ significantly—here's what we've learned from multiple trips.
Our group includes first-timers to Xinjiang and seasoned travelers. We all agree: if the arrival and departure logistics are smooth, the entire trip becomes half as stressful.
1. After flying into Xinjiang, what should you do first upon landing?
Urumqi Diwopu Airport is about 15 to 20 km from the city center. By taxi or ride-hailing service, the trip takes 30 to 50 minutes under normal traffic conditions; expect longer travel times during morning and evening rush hours. The airport offers subway and intercity train connections, making transfers convenient if you have light luggage. After landing, collect your baggage first, ensure your mobile data is active, then decide whether to rest or head out—avoid committing to a long drive immediately upon arrival.
Our first trip had us heading north immediately upon arrival, arriving late at night and sleeping only after midnight. The next day, we were in terrible shape. Later, we stayed in the city for the first night instead, and everything fell into place right away.
Baggage claim carousels can sometimes take over 20 minutes, especially on flights with more luggage. We recommend keeping essential medications and a light jacket in your carry-on for easy access when the temperature drops upon arrival. It's also advisable to arrange your SIM card and internet access beforehand to make contacting your pickup driver much easier after landing.
2. Take the train to Xinjiang: Pay attention to your arrival time
Trains usually arrive in Urumqi early in the morning or at night. The station is close to the city, making it easy to get into town. If you're heading to Northern Xinjiang, you'll typically need to transfer to a bus or hire a car in Urumqi, or simply continue with your next day's itinerary. For late-night arrivals, book your pickup or accommodation in advance—don't try to find transportation outside the station on the spot.
Taking the train into Xinjiang lets you sleep comfortably and start your itinerary as soon as you arrive during the day. The downside is that arrival times aren't always precise; if you get there in the early morning, you'll have to wait until daylight. Our solution is to schedule the train and bus connection on the same day, with a 3–4 hour buffer so a minor delay doesn't throw off your entire plan.
3. Departure Coordination: Separate major and local transportation arrangements
Flights and trains to Xinjiang are considered major transportation; chartered vehicles and shuttle buses upon arrival are minor transportation. Schedule these two segments separately to prevent a total disruption if issues arise. Follow the verification sequence below.
- Confirm your arrival time and final destination, then allow at least half a day for buffer.
- Use intercity transport on the same day or the next to avoid long drives immediately after landing.
- Book your return trip in advance. Don't wait until the last one or two days of your trip to book.
- Book flights and trains early during peak seasons; last-minute bookings often come at significantly higher prices.
IV. Rule-of-thumb Time Estimates
Estimate in hours instead of miles
Xinjiang is vast; don't judge distances by kilometers alone. Between city centers and scenic spots, average speeds on many routes are only 60 to 80 km/h. While the numbers look short, driving can be challenging. We use experience-based estimates to build in extra time for a more realistic travel duration.
- Airport to city: 30–50 minutes by car.
- Urumqi to Turpan: Drive time approximately 3 hours, total distance about 180 km.
- Urumqi to Burqin: Approximately 600 km one way; allow 8 to 9 hours including rest stops.
- Urumqi to Yining: Overnight sleeper bus takes about 10 hours; sleep through the night and arrive at dawn.
With these references, you can fill in the itinerary without overloading any single day.
Also, weather in and out of Xinjiang can have a significant impact. Summer thunderstorms and heavy winter snows may cause flight delays or cancellations. Be sure to leave at least one buffer day at the beginning and end of your itinerary so you have flexibility if plans change.
5. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
After several trips to Xinjiang, we've encountered a few common pitfalls. Avoiding these in advance can save you a lot of hassle.
- The long drive on arrival day left the entire team exhausted by the next day.
- Round-trip tickets booked too late: high fares and limited departure time options.
- Too much luggage makes it tough to navigate arrivals, departures, and transfers.
Look back
If I could do it again, I'd finalize the trips to and from Xinjiang a week in advance and schedule only rest upon arrival. With smoother connections, travel fatigue would be cut by nearly half. The Northern Xinjiang itinerary can serve as a reference.This Northern Xinjiang routeYou can also view the details of arrivals and departures.Airport Arrival GuideFor a hassle-free experience, Xinjiang National Travel's private tours for 2 to 6 guests can handle your main transportation. Call us at 18999127242.
