Tickets to Urumqi were reasonably priced earlier this year, but the cost of visiting Hemu seemed prohibitive. Instead, my heart was set on Kashgar and Yining, and I was reluctant to backtrack. Therefore, I opted for a direct flight to Kashgar, followed by a series of train journeys through Turpan, Yining, and ultimately Urumqi for my return trip home. My itinerary was carefully planned: Changsha to Kashgar by air, then onward trains to Shache, Kuqa, and Turpan, before flying to Yining and finally returning to Urumqi via train, whence I would continue my journey back to Changsha.
Unfortunately, Shache lacked hostels, or else I would have gladly lingered for over a week. Nevertheless, my six-day stay in Yining left me yearning for more. If you enjoy exploring local markets, I highly recommend visiting the bustling Bazaars on Sundays. In Yining, they seem to take place every day of the week, from Monday to Saturday, offering a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the local culture. With prior research, one can easily access these bazaars via public transportation, as several are conveniently located near the city center.
It is crucial to secure return tickets well in advance, as I learned the hard way when I was forced to endure a 40-hour hard seat journey during the Spring Festival rush. Time permitting, a detour through Gansu could also be a rewarding experience. Over the coming days, I will chronicle my travels in detail, sharing insights and tips for future travelers. Stay tuned for my upcoming posts!
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