More about hotels in Xinjiang
Xinjiang is China's biggest region by area, and most of that space is wide open. The Taklamakan Desert's dune fields roll on for hundreds of kilometres, and the snow-capped Tian Shan range cuts straight across the middle of it. In between sit turquoise alpine lakes, a scorching desert oasis famous for its grapes, and a capital city that works as a base for all of it.
Accommodation here ranges from garden hostels among the vines to international hotel brands in Urumqi and lakeside resorts up near Kanas. Wherever you land, there's a stay to match the trip you're planning.
Where to stay in Xinjiang
- Urumqi: the regional capital and easiest base to work from. Most flights land here, and it's the jumping-off point for a day trip to Tianchi Lake in the Tian Shan foothills. See hotels in Urumqi.
- Turpan: a low desert oasis a couple of hours from the capital, built around the Grape Valley's vine-shaded courtyards and the red sandstone ridges of the Flaming Mountains nearby. See hotels in Turpan.
- Altay and Kanas: alpine lake country in Xinjiang's far north, where forested valleys and log-cabin villages sit below snow-covered peaks. This is where you base up for Kanas Lake and Hemu's birch forests.
- Ili Valley (Yining): grassland and flower country near the Kazakhstan border, anchored by Sayram Lake, Xinjiang's largest alpine lake, and a scenic drive through the Guozigou valley to reach it. See hotels in Yining.
How much is Xinjiang accommodation?
Rates across the region's listed hotels average out to around AU$150 a night, but the spread is wide. A hostel bed in Turpan can run under AU$10, while a lakeside resort near Kanas tops AU$400.
- Backpackers and hostels: from AU$9 a night. Simple dorm and family rooms, often set around a garden courtyard.
- Budget hotels: from AU$41 a night. Clean, no-frills rooms in domestic chain hotels.
- Mid-range hotels: from AU$74 a night. International budget brands with breakfast included, usually the easiest pick in Urumqi.
- Boutique and business hotels: from AU$129 a night. More polish, often with a gym, a proper restaurant and river or lake views.
- Luxury and resorts: from AU$185 a night, climbing past AU$400 for the best lakeside properties near Kanas. Full-service spas, pools and fine dining.
Top-rated hotels in Xinjiang
- Conrad Urumqi: a 32-storey tower in the capital's business district, with a 37th-floor sky lounge looking out over the Tian Shan foothills and a heated indoor pool on the seventh floor.
- Wanda Vista Urumqi: a large hotel with a heated pool and gym, plus a dedicated Xinjiang-specialty restaurant alongside its Cantonese and Sichuan dining rooms.
- Hilton Altay Hemu: a 200-room base right at the edge of the Kanas scenic area, built for travellers heading into the lake country beyond Hemu village.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Altay Fuyun: river-view rooms next to the Binhe Scenic Area, with the brand's warm cookie at check-in and a 24-hour gym for after a day on the water.
- New Dap Hostel in Grape Town: a budget stay among Turpan's grape trellises, with a shaded courtyard and a cool meltwater stream running through the yard.
Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Xinjiang
- Book Urumqi as your base if you're short on time. It has the widest hotel choice, sits closest to the airport, and puts Tianchi Lake within an easy half-day trip.
- Kanas is only open to visitors from June to October, so lock in a room near Altay or Hemu early if you're travelling in that window. Outside those months, hotels up there run much quieter and cheaper.
- Both Tianchi and Kanas sit above 1,900 metres. Take it easy on your first day up there, especially if you've flown straight in from sea level.
- Pack for big temperature swings. Turpan can hit the mid-30s in summer while Kanas stays cool, and desert nights drop fast once the sun goes down.
- Carry cash. Card and app payments aren't as universal once you're out at the lakes or in the smaller desert towns, so a small float of RMB helps.
Pair your stay with a look at flights to Urumqi, or browse more of Traveloka's hotels across China to plan the rest of the trip.
