One of the first questions I get from travelers planning a Xinjiang trip is: “Can I find a decent hotel there?”
This guide is part of our complete Xinjiang Travel Guide series for foreign travelers.
The answer is yes — and the range will surprise you. Xinjiang has everything from yurts by a lake to Silk Road boutique hotels in Kashgar, from international chains in Urumqi to guesthouses in Tuvan villages.
The one thing to double-check before you book: does the hotel accept foreign guests? Not every hotel in Xinjiang is licensed to accept foreign passport holders (it’s an administrative requirement, not a safety issue). Booking.com and Agoda are reasonably reliable for this; Ctrip is less so for foreign passports.
Urumqi – The Gateway City
As the capital and transport hub, Urumqi has the widest range of accommodation.
Budget (150-300 RMB/night)
YHA Urumqi (Youth Hostel): Clean, social, and in the city center. Accepts foreigners. Dorm beds: 60-80 RMB; private rooms: 180-280 RMB.
Mid-range (300-600 RMB/night)
Jinjiang Inn and Home Inn are reliable national chains with consistent standards. They almost always accept foreigners.
Urumqi Hotel: A step up — comfort table, central location, and accepts foreigners without hassle. 400-600 RMB.
Luxury (600+ RMB/night)
Hilton Urumqi, Crowne Plaza, and Shangri-La are all present. They’re international standards in a Chinese city — not “Xinjiang-specific,” but comfortable and reliable.
My pick: Stay near People’s Square or the International Bazaar. You’ll be within walking distance of the main sights and have easy access to restaurants and transport.
Kashgar – The Old City Experience
Kashgar has had a boutique hotel boom in the last five years. The best places to stay are inside the Old City — restored traditional houses with modern amenities.
Budget (100-250 RMB/night)
Old City Youth Hostel: Budget, social, and in the heart of the Old City. Dorm beds: 50-70 RMB.
Mid-range (250-500 RMB/night)
Silk Road Hotel: Mid-range, comfortable, and accepts foreigners. It’s a 10-minute walk from the Old City. 300-450 RMB.
Old City Boutique Guesthouses: There are a handful of these now — restored Uyghur houses with courtyard gardens, wooden beds (炕, kàng) in the common areas, and hosts who sit with you for tea. They’re genuinely nice places to stay. 350-500 RMB.
Luxury (500+ RMB/night)
There are a few high-end options near the city center, but they feel disconnected from the city. Stay in the Old City if you can.
My pick: A boutique guesthouse in the Old City. Waking up inside the Old City, walking out your door onto a narrow alley at 7 AM when no one else is around — that’s the experience.
Heavenly Lake – The Lakeside Option
There are a few hotels and guesthouses near the lake shore. They’re expensive for what you get, but staying overnight means you can see the lake at sunrise and avoid the day-trippers.
Tianchi Hotel: The main option. Basic by international standards (a standard room costs 600-800 RMB in peak season), but the location is unbeatable.
Budget alternative: Stay in Urumqi and do Heavenly Lake as a day trip. You’ll save money and have more restaurant options.
Turpan – The Oasis Stop
Turpan has a range of accommodation, but it’s not as developed as Urumqi or Kashgar.
Budget: A few hostels and budget hotels in the city center. Book through Booking.com or Agoda to ensure they accept foreigners.
Mid-range: The Tuha Hotel and Turpan Hotel are reliable options. 300-450 RMB.
Luxury: Not really a thing in Turpan. The best options are mid-range.
My pick: Mid-range in the city center. Turpan is hot (literally), and you’ll want A/C and a good shower.
Kanas Lake – The Nature Reserve
Kanas has accommodation options ranging from basic to surprisingly good:
Inside the Nature Reserve (near the lake shore)
There are several hotels and guesthouses. They’re more expensive than outside (a standard room that costs 300 RMB in Urumqi costs 600-800 RMB here in peak season), but staying inside means you can see the lake at sunrise without a 1-hour commute.
Kanas Lake Hotel: The main option. Basic but adequate. 500-700 RMB in peak season.
In Jiadengyu (30 km from the lake)
A small town with more accommodation options (and lower prices), but you’ll need to take the shuttle bus to the lake each day (the shuttle is included in your entrance ticket).
Budget tip: Book in advance during peak season (July-September). Kanas is the most popular destination in northern Xinjiang, and good rooms sell out.
Sayram Lake – The Yurt Experience
There are a few options near the lake:
Yurt camps: Basic but atmospheric. You’ll sleep in a traditional Mongolian yurt, eat with the family, and wake up to the lake view. Cost: 100-200 RMB per person per night (including dinner and breakfast).
Hotels in Yining: More comfortable, and Yining is only 1.5 hours away. This is what most travelers do — stay in Yining, and do Sayram Lake as a day trip.
Luxury option: There’s a Sayram Lake Hotel near the shore (basic by international standards, but the location is unbeatable). Book in advance during peak season.
The Practical Booking Tips
1. Book in Advance (Especially in Summer)
Xinjiang’s domestic tourism boom means good hotels sell out in July and August. Book at least 2-3 weeks in advance for peak season.
2. Confirm the Hotel Accepts Foreigners
Not every hotel in Xinjiang is licensed to accept foreign guests. It’s not about safety or permits — it’s an administrative requirement.
How to check: Email or call the hotel directly before booking. Or book through platforms that confirm the hotel accepts foreigners (Booking.com and Agoda are reasonably reliable for this).
3. Consider the Location
In Urumqi: stay near People’s Square or the International Bazaar.
In Kashgar: stay inside the Old City if you can.
In Turpan: stay in the city center (you’ll want A/C).
In Kanas: stay inside the nature reserve if your budget allows.
4. Don’t Overpack the Days
Xinjiang is huge, and travel takes longer than you think. If you’re changing hotels every night, you’ll spend half your trip in transit.
My itinerary strategy: Use Urumqi and Kashgar as “base cities” — stay 2-3 nights in each, and do day trips or overnighters from there.
The Bottom Line
Xinjiang’s accommodation has improved dramatically in the last five years. You won’t be “roughing it” unless you choose to (yurt stays, guesthouses in remote villages).
The one thing to double-check before you book: does the hotel accept foreign guests? Once you’ve confirmed that, the rest is straightforward.
And if you’re still unsure about your specific itinerary: contact us. We do our best to reply to every inquiry from fellow travelers.
—
*This guide was updated in June 2026 based on first-hand travel experience.*
