Fuyun and Koktokay – Where Geology Tells Xinjiang’s Story
A former mining county in northern Xinjiang turned my expectations upside down - Koktokay's granite peaks and the infamous No. 3 pit taught me more about the land than any museum could.
Category Attractions
Bird Migration in Xinjiang’s Wetlands – A Birder’s Calendar
A month-by-month birding calendar for Xinjiang's wetlands, from Bayinbuluke swans to the spring rush at Bosten Lake.
Dark Sky Astronomy in Xinjiang – Where Stars Still Dominate
A stargazer's guide to Xinjiang's darkest skies, from Sayram Lake to the Pamirs, with camera settings and warmth tips.
Camel Trekking on the Edge of the Taklamakan
Riding Bactrian camels along the Taklamakan rim from Kashgar is a slow Silk Road pilgrimage, equal parts hardship and wonder if you prep right.
Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
Carved into the cliffs of the Flaming Mountains, Bezeklik's Buddhist caves are a faded masterpiece near Turpan. Here is how to see them well.
Bayinbuluke – Swan Lake and the Nine-Turn River
Bayinbuluke's winding river and summer swans are stunning, but the altitude bites here is how to photograph the bends and stay upright
Bayinbuluke – Swan Lake and the Nine-Turn River
Bayinbuluke's winding river and summer swans are stunning, but the altitude bites here is how to photograph the bends and stay upright
Bayinbuluke – Swan Lake and the Nine-Turn River
Bayinbuluke's winding river and summer swans are stunning, but the altitude bites here is how to photograph the bends and stay upright
Aksu and the Tianshan Grand Canyon (Ghost Canyon)
Hiking the red rock Tianshan Grand Canyon near Aksu, what the Ghost Canyon looks like, and how to visit without a guide.
Nalati Grassland Travel Guide: Xinjiang’s Most Beautiful Alpine Meadow
Complete guide to Nalati Grassland. How to get there, best time to visit, where to stay, and what to do in Xinjiang's most famous grassland.