This is my honest experience after travelling to Xinjiang, and I’d like to share a few things about tour groups that I think everyone should know.

First, I was concerned about booking tickets for attractions in advance. Second, I wasn’t very familiar with Xinjiang and worried that travelling without a proper plan might affect my experience. So, I decided to join a small-group tour. (To be honest, since it was such a long way from home, I was also a little worried.)

There were so many travel agencies online that it was hard to tell which ones were reliable. Some even had fake reviewers promoting them. We initially found one agency that seemed pretty good, but when it came time to sign the contract, the agency’s name didn’t match. I immediately felt something was wrong, so I decided not to go ahead with it.

Later, I found this travel agency. After checking the details, everything seemed legitimate and properly organised, so I finally booked with them. We travelled for eight days, and the experience was genuinely great! I didn’t get ripped off!

Here are a few things I looked out for when choosing a tour:

⭕️ Don’t book with a travel agency that doesn’t have a local business licence! The local tourism authority can only handle complaints involving travel agencies registered in its own area. If the agency is registered elsewhere, you’ll have to deal with the authorities where it is based, which can be a real hassle.

⭕️ Don’t book with an agency that doesn’t provide an official contract registered through China’s national tourism supervision system! Reputable travel agencies allow cancellations under the terms and conditions if you notify them a few days in advance. Avoid tours that require full payment upfront! Without a contract, your rights are much harder to protect.

⭕️ Don’t book with an agency that won’t refund your deposit if you cancel before departure! Reputable agencies allow cancellations under the terms and conditions if you give them a few days’ notice. Don’t trust agencies that demand full payment upfront either! Reputable agencies generally collect the remaining balance after you arrive and check into your hotel!

⭕️ Always pay into the agency’s official business bank account! Make sure the account belongs to the same travel agency named in your contract.

My experience travelling with this tour group:

We visited Urumqi, General Mountain, Altay, Kanas Lake, Sayram Lake and more. Travel insurance was also included, and there were no extra charges along the way. (I contacted quite a few agencies before booking, and their prices varied a lot, so make sure you compare what’s actually included in the service.)

✔️ Our tour leader was responsible and patient! They took great care of us throughout the trip and were also pretty good at taking photos. They even helped us take pictures, recommended places to buy local specialities and enjoy local food, and taught us how to avoid tourist traps. Having a tour leader like this really made me feel lucky!

✔️ We travelled by vehicle throughout the trip, except when exploring the attractions themselves. This was perfect for someone like me who prefers not to walk too much! The vehicle was spacious, the seats could recline, and every seat had a charging point. It was also quite comfortable to rest or sleep during the journey.

One last reminder for all the girls planning a group tour: compare, compare, compare before you book! Take your time and choose carefully!!!