How to Get from Kashgar to Urumqi: by Flight, Train and Bus 2024

Kashgar (Kashi 喀什) once was a crucial pass on the ancient Silk Road and an international commercial port. It now is Xinjiang’s only national historic and cultural city where exhibits the essences of the unique Uynhur ethnic customs, arts, architecture and traditional handicraft and trade. After exploring the cultural charms of the southern Xinjiang, you may travel to the northern Xinjiang, view various natural spectacles like crystal lakes, vast grasslands, majestic snow-capped mountains, etc. Urumqi is usually used as the transfer center for a Xinjiang tour. So you’re highly advised to travel from Kashgar to Urumqi to continue your Xinjiang travel. So far, there are flights, trains and buses available. Check detailed travel time and costs to choose the best way to make your Kashgar Urumqi tour in Xinjiang.

How Far is Urumqi from Kashgar?

Where is Kashgar?

Kashgar is located in the southwestern corner of Xinjiang, northwest China, and borders Tajikistan on the west, Afghanistan and Pakistan on the southwest. Kashgar is about 290 km (about 6 hours’ drive) north of Tashkurgan and nearly 190 km (4 hours’ drive) northeast of the Karakul Lake.

Where is Urumqi?

Urumqi lies in the central Xinjiang and the north slope of the Tianshan Mountain. The city is adjacent to Turpan in the east and lies in the southwest of Tianchi Lake of Tianshan Mountain.

Kashgar to Urumqi Distance:

Urumqi is situated about 1,474 km (916 mi) northeast of Kashgar. The direct driving between the two destinations takes almost 18 hours.

Kashgar to Urumqi Transportation Map

Option 1: Kashgar to Urumqi by Flight - the Fastest & Most Recommended Way

● Flight Time: about 2 hours

● Frequency: nearly 20 flights per day

● From & To: Kashagr International Airport 喀什国际机场 (KHG) → Urumqi Diwopu International Airport 乌鲁木齐地窝堡国际机场 (URC)

From about 08:00 to 23:30, there are almost 20 direct flights flying from Kashgar to Urumqi daily. The air travel needs less than 2 hours. So most travelers choose the flight to get from Kashgar to Urumqi for it’s time-saving, convenient and comfortable. If you have a tight schedule and want to spend more time on nature sightseeing and cultural experiences, the flight is the perfect option for you.

Popular Xinjiang Tours including Kashgar & Urumqi:

☛ 8 Days Xinjiang Classic Tour (Urumqi-Turpan-Kashgar)
☛ 10 Days Classic Silk Road Tour (Xian-Dunhuang-Turpan-Urumqi-Kashgar)
☛ 11 Days In-depth Wild Silk Road Adventure (Cultural Relic & Unrivalled Landscape)

The following is updated Kashgar to Urumqi flight schedule with newest flight information, like the flight number, airline, departure time and airport, arrival time and airport, duration, ticket price, etc.

Kashgar International Airport

Urumqi Diwopu International Airport

Airports Information

Kashgar International Airport (喀什国际机场, IATA: KHG)
Location: Yingbin Avenue, Kashgar, Xinjiang 新疆喀什地区喀什市迎宾大道
Transportation: about 11 km, 30 minutes’ drive to Kashgar city center; about 9 km, 20 minutes’ drive to Kashgar Ancient City; around 9.5 km, 25 minutes’ drive to Id Kah Mosque; about 10 km, 25 minutes’ drive to Kashgar Livestock Bazaar (Sunday Market); about 10 km, 20 minutes’ drive to Abakh Hoja Tomb; about 200 km, 4 hours’ drive to Karakul Lake; about 300 km, 6 hours’ drive to Tashkurgan.

Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (乌鲁木齐地窝堡国际机场, IATA: URC)
Location: Yingbin Road, Xinshi District, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region 新疆维吾尔自治区乌鲁木齐市新市区迎宾路
Transportation: about 17 km, 30 minutes’ drive from the Urumci city center; about 25 km, 30 minutes’ drive from Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar; about 15 km, 20 minutes’ drive from Xinjiang Museum; around 75 km, 1 hour’s drive from Tianchi Lake (Heavenly Lake) of Tianshan; nearly 75 km, 1.5 hours’ drive from Nanshan Pasture.

Option 2: Kashgar to Urumqi by Train

● Train Time: about 14.5 hours ~ 24 hours

● Frequency: 5 ~ 6 trains per day

● From & To: Kashgar Railway Station 喀什站 → Urumqi Railway Station 乌鲁木齐站

● Running Speed: 120 km/h

At present, there are some normal speed trains running from Kashgar to Urumqi each day. They are all overnight trains (K, T and Y Trains) that depart from Kashgar in the afternoon and stop in Urumqi in the next day afternoon. The fastest train takes 14.5 hours while the longest train ride can be 24 hours long.

The Kashgar to Urumqi trains are running on the rail connected by two sections - Kashgar-Korla section on the Southern Xinjiang Railway (Nanjiang Railway) and Korla-Urumqi section of west of Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway (Lanxin Railway). Therefore, passengers will make stops in Aksu (Taklimakan Desert, Tomur Peak of Tianshan Mountain), Kuqa (Tianshan Mountain Mysterious Grand Canyon, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves), Luntai (Tarim Populus Euphratica National Forest Park), Korla (Bositeng Lake, Bayanbulak Grassland, Lop Nur People Village), Turpan (Jiaohe Ancient City, Flaming Mountain, Bezeklik Caves) before arriving in Urumqi. Three kinds of tickets are provided: Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper and Hard Seat. If you decide to take the train, better book the most comfortable Soft Sleeper to have a rest.

Useful Links:

▶ Kashgar to Urumqi Train Schedules
▶ Urumqi to Kashgar Train Schedules

Kashgar Railway Station

Urumqi Railway Station

Id Kah Mosque is the most influential Islamic mosque in Xinjiang

6 Days Urumqi to Kashgar Dream Tour - Best Xinjiang Tour for the First-timers

Itinerary: Urumqi / Kashgar / Karakul Lake / Tashikurgan / Kashgar
Highlights: Kashgar Old Town, Kashgar Bazaar, Heavenly Lake, Karakul Lake, Tashkurgan Fort, Xinjiang Regional Museum, Id Kah Mosque

Railway Stations Information

Kashgar Railway Station 喀什站
Location: North Shijie Avenue, Kashi, Xinjiang 新疆喀什世纪大道北路
Transportation: about 12 km, 20 minutes’ drive to downtiwn Kashgar and Kashgar Ancient City; around 13 km, 25 minutes’ drive to Id Kah Mosque; about 15 km, 20 minutes’ drive to Kashgar Livestock Bazaar (Sunday Market); about 8 km, 15 minutes’ drive to Abakh Hoja Tomb; about 300 km, 6 hours’ drive to Tashkurgan; about 200 km, 4 hours’ drive to Karakul Lake.

Urumqi Railway Station 乌鲁木齐站
Location: No.1, Gaotie Beiliu Road, Tunhe District, Urumqi, Xinjiang 新疆维吾尔自治区乌鲁木齐市头屯河区高铁北六路1号
Transportation: about 10 km, 20 minutes’ drive to the city center; about 15 km, 30 minutes’ drive to Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar; about 7 km, 15 minutes’ drive to Xinjiang Museum; about 71 km, 1 hour 10 minutes’ drive to Tianchi Lake of Tianshan Mountain; about 65 km, 1.5 hours’ drive to Nanshan Pasture.

China Train Travel Tips

Class of Ticket

You can usually choose from the First Class Seat, the Second Class Seat or Business Class Seat on the high speed trains. While, there are three types offered on the normal train, including Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper and Hard Seat. learn more >>

Book, Collect, Alter and Cancel

Foreign tourists can book train ticket online or via a ticket agency, or buy the tickets physically at the train station with your valid passport. Train ticket alteration and cancellation are only available at ticket counters. learn more >>

Board & Get off

1) Prepare your passport and China Visa; 2) Get to the right train station at least 30 mins in advance; 3) Collect your train ticket; 4) Read your train ticket; 5) Pass the security control; 6) Pass through Security & Luggage Checks; 7) Find the right waiting room; 8) Cross the ticket checking gate; 9) Get to the right platform; 10) Get on your train. learn more >>

Baggage Allowance

Passengers don’t need to check luggage separately. Each passenger is allowed to carry luggage in certain weight and volume, but without limitation of amount and types. learn more >>

Facilities and Service

All high speed trains in China are equipped with advanced facilities and good service, including luggage racks, air-conditioner, power socket, dining car, hot water, etc. learn more >>

Option 3: Kashgar to Urumqi by Bus

Every day, there are some long-distance coaches running from Kashgar International Bus Station (喀什国际汽车站) to Urumqi. The buses depart between 09:50 and 21:30, and take nearly one full day, which is tedious and time-wasting for tourists. So, the bus is not recommended for travelling from Kashgar to Urumqi.

Tips: The Kashgar International Bus Station also operates cross-border buses to the neighboring Pakistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

How to Plan A Xinjiang Tour

How to Get to Xinjiang: Urumqi is the transfer hub of Xinjiang, and it receives flights from Beijing (4h), Shanghai (5h), Xian (4h), Chengdu (4h), Chongqing (4h), Changsha (4.5h), Xining (2.5h), Dalian (4h), Guangzhou (4.5h), Lanzhou (2.5h), Yinchuan (3h), etc., as well as high speed trains from Xian (13.5h), Lanzhou(10.5h), Xining (9.5h), Zhangye (7.5h), Jiayuguan (6h), Dunhuang (4h), etc.

Best Time to Visit Xinjiang: It is available to visit Xinjiang all year round, but May ~ October is the best time for the most comfortable weather and most beautiful scenery

A longer Xinjiang trip is more recommended and worthwhile because of its large scale. Most travelers start a Xinjiang tour from Urumqi – the tourist distribution center equipped with convenient airlines. Some travelers also unveil a Xining experience from Kashgar – the transfer hub in southern Xinjiang.

A classic Xinjiang tour takes 6 ~ 8 days, including 2~3 days in Urumqi (Xinjiang Regional Museum, Nanshan Passture) and Heavenly Lake, 1~2 days in Turpan (Jiaohe Ancient City, Karez System, Bezeklik Thousand Buddhas… ), and 3 ~ 4 days in Kashgar (Kashgar Old City, Karakul Lake, Tashkurgan Fort…). Don’t miss Kanas - the God’s private garden, and it takes at least 3 full days to enjoy its beautiful lakes, bays, forests, rivers and villages.

☛ 6 Days Urumqi Turpan Kashgar Efficient Tour
☛ 8 Days Xinjiang Classic Tour (Urumqi - Turpan - Kashgar)
☛ 9 Days Kanas Lake Fairyland Tour from Urumqi

Many travelers prefer a Silk Road tour involving Gansu and Xinjiang discovery together. It needs about 2~3 days to explore Dunhuang highlights, 2~3 days to visit Zhangye essences and 1~2 days to enjoy Jiayugan landmarks. It is also recommended to spend 1 ~2 days visiting Xining and Qinghai Lake.

☛ 10 Days Classic China Silk Road In-depth Tour (Xian – Dunhuang – Turpan – Urumqi - Kashgar)
☛ 11 Days In-depth Wild Silk Road Adventure Tour (Lanzhou - Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang - Turpan - Urumqi - Kashgar)

In fact, the Silk Road broke into three routes in Xinjiang, and they passed through many cities in Xinjiang. For adventurous travelers looking for something different along the glorious road, just spend about 2 weeks visiting legendary Turpan, Korla, Kuqa, Kashgar, Tashkurgan, etc.

☛ 13 Days In-depth Xinjiang Silk Road Adventure Tour (Urumqi - Turpan - Korla - Kuqa - Takilamakan Desert - Minfeng - Hongtan - Kashgar - Tashkurgan)
☛ 6 Days Qinghai Lake Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains Tour (Xining - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Lake - Zhangye)
☛ 9 Days Taklamakan Desert Ancient Silk Road Tour (Kashgar - Karakul Lake - Hotan - Ala'er - Kucha - Urumqi)

Many travelers visit Xinjiang for the extraordinary scenic beauty. It is easy to find some places to envelop yourself in nature or capture some excellent photography, such as grasslands, lakes, villages, and some other geographical wonders in 1 ~ 2 weeks.

☛ 10 Days Stunning Ili Apricot Blossom and Naraty Grassland Tour (Urumqi - Sayram Lake - Qingyuan - Naraty - Kuitun - Urumqi)
☛ 11 Days Best Xinjiang Landscape Tour (Urumqi - Burqin - Kanas - Karamy - Sayram Lake - Karajun Grassland - Kuitun - Urumqi)

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Urumqi Travel Guide

Recommended Xinjiang Tours

Top 3 Xinjiang tours chosen by most customers to explore Xinjiang in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

10 Days Classic Silk Road Tour (Xian/Dunhuang/Turpan/Kashgar)

Xian / Dunhuang / Turpan / Urumqi / Kashgar

8 Days Classic Xinjiang Tour including Urumqi Turpan Kashgar Tashkurgan

Urumqi - Turpan - Kashgar - Tashkurgan

13 Days In-depth Xinjiang Silk Road Adventure Tour

Urumqi / Turpan / Korla / Kuqa / Taklimakan Desert / Minfeng / Hongtan / Kashgar / Tashkurgan

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