Kashgar Transportation: Get to Kashgar and Travel Around

For travelers who are interested in a relaxing train journey or a budget transfer, traveling by train is a nice choice. At present, there are only two railways, Southern Xinjiang Railway and the Kashgar-Hotan Railway. These railways link Kashgar with Korla (9.5~16hours), Kuqa (7~12 hours), Aksu (5~9 hours), Shache (2~2.5 hours)and Hotan (5.5~6.5 hours). It is also available to take trains to Kashgar from Urumqi (14.5~24 hours), Turpan (12.5~22 hours), Xian (38.5 hours), Chengdu (48.5 hours) and some other cities through combined railways.

Kashgar Railway Station 喀什站

Address: North Shijie Avenue, Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (新疆喀什世纪大道北路)

Kashgar Railway Station is the only railway station serving Kashgar City. It is about 12 km, 20 minutes’ drive to downtown Kashgar and Kashgar Old 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.

▶ Kashgar Train Station

Linear Distance: 1,600 km (1,000 miles)

Duration: at least 8 hours by connecting flights, or 19.5~23.5 hours by train

Dunhuang to Kashgar Flight

Currently, there are no direct flights operating from Dunhuang to Kashgar. There are only connecting-flights between Dunhuang and Kashgar, and you need to make a transfer in Lanzhou or Xian. The tickets will be a little expensive and the time won’t be short exactly.

We suggest you take a high speed train to Urumqi first, and then take a flight to Kashgar. Liuyuan South Railway Station (about 2 hours’ drive from Dunhuang City) operates 3 daily high speed trains to Urumqi Railway Station, with a duration of about 4.5 hours. It is worthwhile to spend 2~3 days touring Urumqi and its beautiful surroundings (like Turpan and Heavenly Lake).

▶ How to Get to Dunhuang | Dunhuang to Kashgar Travel

Dunhuang to Kashgar Train

Travelers can take a train from Dunhuang to Kashgar, but only normal trains are available. Every day, two daily trains run from Liuyuan South Railway Station and arrive at Kashgar Railway Station on the next day. One train needs about 19.5 hours and the other train needs 23.5 hours. Liuyuan South Railway Station is about 130 km away from Dunhuang City and you can get there by bus or driving.

☛ 10 Days Classic Silk Road Tour (Xian - Dunhuang - Turpan - Kashgar)
☛ 12 Days Silk Road Tour from Beijing (Beijing - Xian - Dunhuang - Turpan - Urumqi - Kashgar)

Linear Distance: 4,200 km (about 2,610 miles)

Travel Time: about 8.5 hours by stopover flight

Shanghai to Kashgar Flight

Traveling between Shanghai and Kashgar, taking a flight is the most recommended way. There are around 3 stopover flights from Shanghai to Kashgar. 2 flights from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport will take a stop in Urumqi and the other flight from Shanghai Pudong International Airport will take as top at Lanzhou. It is about an 8.5 hours' trip.

Shanghai to Kashgar Train

Shanghai does not operate direct trains to Kashgar and you need to make a transfer. It is quite popular to take a high speed train to Xian first and then take a normal train to Kashgar. Because of the transfer in Xian, we suggest you spend 2 or 3 days exploring beautiful Xian.

▶ How to Get to Shanghai | ▶ Shanghai to Kashgar Travel

Linear Distance: 2,720 km (about 1,690 miles)

Travel Time: about 4.5 hours by nonstop flight, or 48.5 hours by train

Chengdu to Kashgar Flight

Just like traveling from other cities far from Kashgar, taking a flight is the best way to get to Kashgar from Chengdu. There are 2 daily flights from Chengdu Kashgar, including one nonstop flight and one flight with an about 1 hour's stop in Urumqi. Both flights depart from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and arrive at Kashgar International Airport. The nonstop flight trip takes about 4.5 hours, and the stopover flight takes about 7 hours.

Chengdu to Kashgar Train

There is only one daily normal T-train running from Chengdu Railway Station to Kashgar Railway Station. There are 27 mid-way stations and the whole train trip takes about 48.5 hours. Spending more than 2 days on the train, you are suggested to book a Hard Sleeper or Soft Sleeper to enjoy a relatively quieter environment.

▶ How to Get to Chengdu | ▶ Chengdu to Kashgar Travel

Distance: 190 km

Travel Time: about 4 hours’ drive

For travelers seeking for the natural landscape of Kashgar, Karakul Lake is a must. With reflection of the nearby snow-capped peaks, it shows a different side of Kashgar. There is no flight or train Kashgar to Karakul directly, and driving is the best choice. It is available to take a Kashgar-to-Tashkurghan bus and get off at the lake, but it’s not recommended because leaving the lake will be a problem. Traveling with a local travel agency like China Discovery, you will enjoy worry-free transfer and freedom to stop on the way for sightseeing if possible.

Some travelers might get to Tashkurgan first, and then travel to Karakul. The distance between Tashkurgan and Karakul is about 100 km (about 2.5 hours’ drive).

▶ Kashgar to Karakul

Want to enjoy a worry-free Kashgar tour? Traveling with China Discovery is strongly recommended. Our local travel guide and driver will pick you up at the airport or train station as you arrive with an air-conditioned and non-smoking vehicle, and then escort you to your hotel or every attraction listed in your itinerary. Great freedom will be given to you whenever you need to stop for sightseeing and photography. You are sure to enjoy a comfortable, safe and efficient experience.

Far more than that, China Discovery is professional to provide high-quality customizable tour. We have got 4,070+ good reviews on TripAdvisor.com, and 2,050+ China travel reviews from the customers. Before your trip, our experienced travel expert will communicate with you one-to-one and organize everything (accommodation, transfer, itinerary…) well. In your trip, our local travel guide will accompany you all the way and introduce the highlights of every place to you. All the experience can be tailor-made according to your group size, travel time, physical condition, personal interest, travel budget and other needs. Feel free to contact us to start your worry-free private tour now!