First of all, I have to give a big shout-out to this 2–6-person small-group tour—it was truly worth every penny! A friend recommended it to me, so I booked it on a whim, and it turned out to be the perfect choice. The pace of the entire trip was well-paced, and the price was well within my budget. It was my first time visiting Xinjiang on a guided tour, and I didn’t run into any pitfalls at all—I was so lucky!

We were part of a 2–6-person “pure sightseeing” small group. Our fellow travelers were all around the same age, so we got along easily and harmoniously throughout the trip. We could stop whenever we wanted along the way, giving us a lot of freedom to take photos and explore. The tour fee of just over 3,000 yuan covered accommodation, attraction tickets, transportation, and travel insurance. **There were absolutely no hidden or extra charges throughout the entire trip, which I was particularly pleased with.** Keep in mind that the tour fee doesn’t include main meals; hotels provide breakfast, and you’re free to choose where to eat.

Joining a tour or traveling independently?

This really comes down to personal preference. It’s snowing in Xinjiang right now, and the roads are slippery, so I think joining a tour is safer. If you’ve done your research thoroughly and are a skilled driver, driving yourself is also an option. Since I was traveling alone, I chose to join a tour.

Group Tour Experience:

This was my first time joining a group tour, and the overall experience was excellent. I didn’t have to worry about planning the itinerary or comparing and booking accommodations myself, and I got to meet interesting fellow travelers from all over, which added a lot of joy to the trip.

The only minor drawback was that Xinjiang is vast, so the bus rides were quite long. Sitting for extended periods can lead to a sore back and a sore butt—even with a cushion, I still felt a bit tired—but seeing the breathtaking scenery along the way made it all worth it!

Overall, this trip to Xinjiang was a complete success. A word of advice for anyone planning to visit Xinjiang: when booking a tour, be sure to choose a reputable, locally operated small group tour with all the necessary credentials to avoid any pitfalls. I highly recommend our tour, and I wish everyone a wonderful journey in Xinjiang!