“Avoiding Altitude Sickness in Xinjiang”

Let’s Start with the Good News

Most of Xinjiang is NOT at high altitude. Urumqi (the gateway city) is at 800 meters. Kashgar is at 1,200 meters. Turpan is at -154 meters (below sea level). Your body barely notices these elevations.

The altitude issues start when you go to the scenic areas — and even then, it’s manageable for most people.

The Elevation Breakdown

| Location | Elevation | Altitude Sickness Risk |

|———-|———–|—————————-|

| Urumqi | 800m | None |

| Kashgar | 1,200m | None |

| Turpan | -154m | None (it’s below sea level!) |

| Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) | 1,907m | Mild (some people notice it) |

| Sayram Lake | 2,073m | Mild to moderate |

| Kanas Lake | 1,374m | Mild |

| Hemu Village | 1,400m | Mild |

| The Pamirs (Karakul Lake) | 3,600m | Moderate to high |

| Muztagh Ata area | 4,500m+ | High (acclimatization needed) |

Symptoms (And What’s Normal vs. Worrying)

Mild (Don’t Worry, Just Take It Easy)

  • Slight headache
  • Mild nausea
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Mild dizziness

What to do: Drink more water (3-4L/day), eat light meals, don’t overexert yourself on day 1-2, and consider taking 乙酰唑胺 (Acetazolamide / Diamox) if you’re prone to altitude sickness (consult your doctor before traveling).

Moderate (Take Seriously)

  • Persistent headache that doesn’t respond to painkillers
  • Vomiting
  • Significant fatigue / can’t walk normally
  • Shortness of breath at rest

What to do: Descend by at least 500-1,000 meters. Rest. Consider oxygen (available at most hotels in high-altitude areas). If symptoms persist for 24+ hours, seek medical help.

Severe (Emergency — Descend Immediately)

  • Confusion / inability to walk properly
  • Coughing up pink/frothy fluid (high-altitude pulmonary edema / HAPE)
  • Bluish skin/lips (cyanosis)

What to do: Descend immediately (don’t wait for morning). This is life-threatening.

Prevention (The Stuff That Actually Works)

  1. Acclimatize gradually: If you’re going to the Pamirs (3,600m+), spend 2-3 days at intermediate elevations (Kashgar at 1,200m, Sayram at 2,073m) first.
  2. Hydrate: The air in Xinjiang is dry. You need 3-4L of water per day at altitude.
  3. Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours at altitude: It worsens dehydration and masks altitude symptoms.
  4. Eat light: Heavy meals make altitude symptoms worse. Eat carbs (rice, noodles) and avoid greasy food initially.
  5. Sleep at a lower elevation than your daytime high point: If you hike up to 3,000m, try to sleep below 2,500m.

    6. The Oxygen Situation in Xinjiang

Unlike some high-altitude regions, Xinjiang has good infrastructure for altitude issues:

  • Oxygen cans: Sold at convenience stores in Urumqi, Kashgar, and near scenic areas. ¥20-40 per can. They provide 5-10 minutes of relief.
  • Oxygen at hotels: Many hotels in Kanas, Sayram, and the Pamirs have oxygen available (either in-room or at the front desk).
  • Hyperbaric chambers: Available in larger hospitals in Urumqi and Kashgar if serious altitude sickness occurs.

    • The Verdict

For 90% of travelers, altitude sickness in Xinjiang is a non-issue or a mild annoyance. The elevations are moderate compared to Lhasa (3,650m) or La Paz (3,640m).

If you’re going to the Pamirs or doing high-altitude trekking (4,500m+), take it seriously — acclimatize, hydrate, and know the symptoms.

For everything else? Drink water, take it easy the first day, and you’ll be fine.

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Published on Xinjiang Travels — Real travel advice from someone who’s been there.