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

Xinjiang is a beautiful and glamorous land in northwestern China and the mysterious Western Regions of ancient Silk Road. Most travelers start to explore Xinjiang from Urumqi, which has the most frequent flights and trains for arrival. A classic Xinjiang tour must have Kashgar, especially for fist-time travelers to Xinjiang. Currently, there are daily flights, trains and buses from Urumqi to Kashgar. Which is the best way to take? Read relevant travel times, schedules and advice below to plan your Urumqi Kashgar tour.

How Far is Urumqi from Kashgar?

Where is Urumqi?

As the capital city and transportation hub of Xinjiang, Urumqi is located in the central north of Xinjiang, the northern piedmont of the Tianshan Mountains and the southern edge of the Junggar Basion. The city is within 1 hour’s high speed bullet train journey from Turpan.

Where is Kashgar?

Kashgar is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of southwestern Xinjiang’s Kashgar Prefecture. It is China’s westernmost border city lying in the west edge of Tarim Basin.

Urumqi to Kashgar Distance: Kashgar lies about 1,474 km (916 mi) southwest of Urumqi.

Urumqi to Kashgar Urumqi to Kashgar Transportation Map

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

Flight Time: about 2 hours

Frequency: over 25 flights per day

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

In view of the long distance between the two cities, flying is undoubtedly the fastest, most comfortable and most recommended way to get from Urumqi to Kashgar. The air travel is only 2 hours. Every day, there are more than 25 non-stop flights flying from Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC) to Kashgar International Airport (KHG). They depart from 07:00 to 22:30 each day. That means, you can enjoy more flexibility and take a suitable flight depending on your itinerary.

Popular Urumqi Kashgar Tours:

☛ 8 Days Xinjiang Classic Tour (Urumqi-Turpan-Kashgar)
☛ 10 Days Classic Silk Road Tour (Xian-Dunhuang-Turpan-Urumqi-Kashgar)

Below is the real-time Urumqi (wulumqi) to Kashgar (kashi) flight schedule, listing detailed flight number, flight time, departure and arrival information, flight ticket, airline company, etc.

Kashgar to Urumqi Flight Urumqi Diwopu International Airport
Kashgar to Urumqi Flight Kashgar International Airport
Urumqi|URCKashgar|KHG

Airports Information

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.

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.

Option 2: Urumqi to Kashgar by Train

Train Time: about 14.5 hours ~ 24 hours

Frequency: over 5 trains per day

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

Running Speed: 120 km/h

Meanwhile, there are some normal speed trains (all are overnight trains) running from Urumqi to Kashgar. The trains depart from Urumqi Railway Station between about 08:00 and 18:00 each day. The train journey is very long for it begins from the center of the Northern Xinjiang to Southern Xinjiang through the Tianshan Mountains. There are about 10 midway station en route, including Turpan, Korla, Kuqa, Aksu and so on. Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper and Hard Seats are offered. For the long train travel time and basic facilities, almost no travelers take this way.

Useful Links:

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

Urumqi Railway Station Urumqi Railway Station
Kashgar to Urumqi Train Kashgar Railway Station

Railway Stations Information

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.

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.

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: Urumqi to Kashgar by Bus

Urumqi Nanjiao Bus Station (乌鲁木齐南郊客运站) launches regular long-distance coaches to Kashgar as well. The sleeper bus takes about 24 to 30 hours, quite tedious and inconvenient for travelers.

How to Plan Your Urumqi Kashgar Tour

Usually, travelers take 2 days to visit the best highlights of Urumqi, including a one day city tour and a day trip to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) of Tianshan Mountains. In the city center, you can visit major landmarks, experience Uygur bazzar culture in Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, see the mystical ancient mummies in Xinjiang Regional Museum and enjoy a city panoramic view from the Red Hill Park. Heavenly Lake is a stunning “Pearl of Tianshan Mountains” where you can view turquoise and serene lake water with wonderful reflection the surrounding forests and snowy mountains. In summer, it’s popular to take one more day from Urumqi to visit the Nanshan Pasture, breathe fresh air, enjoy wider space and lush green grassland.

A Kashgar trip itinerary can be arranged for 1 to 3 days. If you’re a tight-schedule traveler, you can spend a full day visiting the main attractions in the downtown area, such as the Kashgar Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, Abkh Hoka Tomb and the local Ancient Tea House. If you have more time, taking 2 days of a side trip to Karakul Lake and Tashkurgan is highly suggested. On the way, you will enjoy wild breathtaking landscape on the Pamirs Plateau, and can visit the Baishahu (White Sands Dunes Lake) and Muztagh Ata Mountain, Stone City and Alaer Golden Grassland in Tashkurgan.

☛ 6 Days Urumqi to Kashgar Dream Tour
☛ 8 Days Xinjiang Classic Tour (Urumqi-Turpan-Kashgar)

Xinjiang is vast and beautiful, full of amazing natural scenery and ethnic culture and history. We strongly advise you extend trip from Urumqi to more wonderful destinations. Northern Xinjiang is best for natural sightseeing and southern Xinjiang is ideal for exploring the cultural treasures. Top recommended destinations beyond Kashagr and Urumqi include Turpan, fairyland Kanas Lake, beautiful Syram Lake, spectacular Kalakun Grassland, Ili, Khotan, etc.

☛ 9 Days Kanas Fairyland Tour from Urumqi
☛ 9 Days Taklamkan Desert Ancient Silk Road Tour

Travel Urumqi & Kashgar with China Discoevry

As a leading travel agency in China who dedicates to offering high-quality China tours, China Discovery has helped thousands of travelers enjoy their trips to Xining, Urumqi, Silk Road, Beijing, Shanghai etc., in China. Traveling with us, you can enjoy worry-free tour services as well as well-organized itineraries, even our assistance of Chinese Visa application, convenient airport/train station pick-up & drop-off and transfer between all scenic spots, knowledgeable tour guide, safe & licensed private vehicle, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. To fully focus on the trip itself without worry any details, you can choose from our most popular Xinjiang tour packages or contact us to design a wonderful Xinjiang tour on your own.

Xinjiang Urumqi Tour Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain
Xinjiang Kashgar Tour Kashgar Old Town
Kashgar Karakul Tour Tranquil Karakul Lake in October
Xinjiang Tour Beautiful Kalajun Grassland in Ili

Recommended Xinjiang Kashgar Tours

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

Taking a relaxing cruise on Heavenly Lake

11 Days In-depth Wild Silk Road Adventure Tour (Cultural Relic & Unrivalled Landscape)

Lanzhou / Zhangye / Jiayuguan / Dunhuang / Turpan / Urumqi / Kashgar

Abakh Khoja Tomb

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

Xian / Dunhuang / Turpan / Urumqi / Kashgar

Tashkurgan Fort (Stone City Ruin) in the morning of September

8 Days Classic Xinjiang Tour including Urumqi Turpan Kashgar Tashkurgan

Urumqi - Turpan - Kashgar - Tashkurgan

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

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