Epic 15-Day Adventure: Chengdu & Xinjiang (June 22 - July 6, 2024)!
Last year Xinjiang was *THE* place to be, and TBH, I couldn't resist! So, I jumped on the bandwagon this summer and I'm spilling all the deets on my incredible trip. Buckle up!
I. Must-Have Apps for Smooth Travels
Besides the usual suspects, let's dive deep into the essential app for train travel: 12306. Trust me, you'll thank me later!
*) 12306: Your Ticket to Ride (the train, that is!)
- B1: Sign Up for an Aliyun Email: https://mail.aliyun.com/alimail/auth/login?reurl=%2Falimail%2F
Important: Enter your name EXACTLY as it appears on your passport, along with your passport number. For example, if your name is JOHN SMITH, enter JOHN SMITH. - B2: Use Your Aliyun Email to Register on 12306: https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html
- B3: Download the 12306 App: After registering on the website, download the app for your phone. I found booking through the app WAY easier!
- B4: Booking Your Tickets: Select your origin and destination, travel date, choose a suitable train, select your seat class, and then...PAY!
Why 12306 is a Game-Changer:
- Total Control: You're in charge! Unlike booking through Trip.com, you know *exactly* what kind of seat you're getting. Want a lower berth? You'll KNOW instantly!
- Save $$$: Bypass those pesky Trip.com service fees and foreign transaction fees by paying directly with Alipay! BOOM!
II. SIM Cards: Stay Connected!
Options, options! Here's the scoop on staying online.
- Pre-Trip SIM Card (Shopee):
China Unicom Network
15GB for 30 Days
Around VND 359,000 - Local SIM Card (Urumqi):
Address: 中国移动(北京路营业厅) (Paste into Baidu Maps for directions!)
Cost: ~130 RMB total
III. Flights: Soaring High!
- HCM - Urumqi (Layover in Chengdu): VND 6,664,000
- Urumqi - HCM (8-Hour Layover in Chengdu): VND 6,859,000
IV. Hotels: Home Away From Home
All booked through Trip.com!
*) Chengdu:
- Desti Youth Park Hostel (Chengdu Chunxi Road):
Address: Building 1, No.82 Sanduoli, Qingyang District, Thành Đô, Tứ Xuyên, Trung Quốc / 成都青羊区三多里82号1栋
WeChat: 18081998606
6-Bed Dorm (Shared Bathroom)
Price: VND 599,623/2 Nights
Pros: Trendy design, English-speaking staff, close to Chunxi Road (2km from IFS), affordable laundry facilities (8 RMB, detergent provided!).
Cons: Not super close to metro/bus, but bike-friendly!
*) Urumqi:
- Yunbo Youth Hotel (Urumqi High-speed Railway Station):
Address: 23rd Floor, Commercial Building B, Taojuyuan Commercial and Residential Community, No. 212, Gaotie North 2nd Road, Saybag District, Urumqi / 乌鲁木齐沙依巴克区高铁北二路212号陶菊园商住小区B座商业楼23层
Phone: +86-19399101118 / +86-991-5361118
4-Bed Dorm (Private Bathroom)
Price: VND 479,788/Night
Pros: New, clean, modern, laundry facilities, located in a residential area (easy access to food & convenience stores), super close to the train station (1km!).
Cons: Hidden inside a residential complex, weak 3G on the 23rd floor, requires security ID for entry (ask security for help!). - Xihe Hotel (Urumqi Airport): 熙閤酒店（乌鲁木齐机场店）
Address: Building 2, Urumqi Aviation Production and Operation Base, 1165 Wuchang Side Road, Xinshi District, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
Phone: +86-991-6152222
Single Room
Price: VND 1,347,730/2 Nights
Pros: Close to the airport (2km), laundry service, breakfast included, airport shuttle – perfect for your departure day!
Cons: Far from the metro (2km to the nearest station, inside the airport), isolated location with limited food options.
*) Yining:
- Yining V8 Business Hotel (Teachers University):
Address: 4F, Passenger Transport Building Comprehensive Building, No.308 Jiefang West Road, 835000 Y Ninh, Tân Cương, Trung Quốc / 伊宁市解放西路308号客运大厦综合楼第四层, 835000
Phone: +86-999-7821789
Single Room
Price: VND 1,750,164/3 Nights
Pros: Right next to the bus station (super convenient!), close to bus stops, near Liuxing Street, plenty of food & shops around.
Cons: Older, classic hotel, but good value for the price.
V. Train Tickets: All Aboard!
Booked through the 12306 App!
- Urumqi (乌鲁木齐站-北广场) – Bole: 186 RMB (Lower Soft Sleeper Berth)
8h16m journey, 22:29 departure, 06:45 arrival - Yining - Urumqi (乌鲁木齐站-北广场): 231 RMB (Lower Soft Sleeper Berth)
8h55m journey, 22:20 departure, 07:15 arrival
VI. Itinerary: The Grand Tour!
Here's a day-by-day breakdown of my epic adventure!
Day 1: HCM - Chengdu (9:00-13:40)
Landed at Tianfu Airport, about 51km from downtown Chengdu. Travel time to the city center is around 2 hours.
Getting to Downtown Chengdu:
- Metro: Originally planned this, but the transfers were a hassle.
- DiDi/Taxi: Always an option.
- Airport Bus (15 RMB): The *easiest* way! Look for signs at the airport.
Took the bus to Chunxi Road (near my hostel), then a quick DiDi (2km) to the hostel. Exploring Chengdu is easy with metro, bus, or bike!
Chengdu evenings are LONG (sunset around 8 PM!), so I strolled through Chunxi Road, checked out the famous "climbing bear" at IFS, and wandered through Taikoo Li.
Day 2: Chengdu Sightseeing
- Wangjianglou Park (20 RMB)
- Wuhou Temple (50 RMB)
Day 3: More Chengdu & Fly to Urumqi!
- Wenshu Monastery (Free!)
Getting to the Airport: Took the Airport Bus again (DiDi to IFS, find the panda sculpture, and look for the bus line!).
Arrived in Urumqi and took a DiDi to the hotel (7.5km, 33 RMB).
Day 4: Exploring Urumqi & Urumqi to Bole
After breakfast, I bought a SIM card. Then, back to the hotel to check out, and a DiDi to the train station to drop off luggage (only 10 RMB!).
Then, it was metro + bus to explore the Grand Bazaar (Erdaoqiao).
Around 8 PM, I headed back to the train station, picked up my luggage, and checked in (remember to remove power banks and liquids for security).
Check the electronic boards for your gate number. Foreigners, elderly, and children get their own line on the far right (look for the staff!). Just show your passport – no need to print the ticket!
At the train, show your passport to the staff at the carriage to double-check before boarding.
I booked a lower soft sleeper berth. Each cabin has a closing door, 4 beds, and a charging port.
The train from Urumqi to Bole runs from 22:29 to 06:45.
Day 5: Bole - Sailimu Lake - Yining
Arrived in Bole at 6:45 AM. Staff knock on the door before arrival.
As you exit, Chinese citizens scan their ID, while foreigners show their passports to the staff.
Getting from Bole to Sailimu Lake:
- Bus: 30 RMB, departs at 9 AM (near the Bole train station).
- Private Car: Drivers will find you! 40 RMB, departs when full.
I chose a private car and saved 2 hours. Left at 7 AM and arrived at the Sailimu Lake tourist center by 8:30 AM.
Bought my ticket (129 RMB), and the helpful staff directed me to luggage storage and the shuttle bus line. The bus departs at 9:30 AM.
Luggage storage opens around 9 AM.
Sailimu Lake has many stops (sit on the right side of the bus for lake views!). I stopped at:
- Woaisailimuhu: Quiet, long wooden path leading close to the lake.
- Nanmen: Wildflowers and a large meadow for relaxing.
- Songshutou: Rest stop with bathrooms, hot water, and food.
- Tianeyaoshui: Spot swans!
The bus to Yining departs around 5:30 PM or 6:30 PM, so I decided to head back around 4 PM. Arrived at the final stop at 5:30 PM.
Collected my luggage, asked the staff about the bus to Yining, and found a ride immediately (49 RMB).
The bus leaves when full, so sit on the right side for Guozigou Bridge views! Arrived in Yining at 9 PM and walked to my pre-booked hotel.
Checked in, showered, and went for dinner at 10 PM – and it was still sunny!
Day 6 + 7: Exploring Kazanqi & Liuxing Street
Use buses, bikes, or public electric bikes to get around Yining.
Day 8 -> 12: 5-Day Tour Time!
The day before, I went to Yining train station and booked a 5-day tour to explore the grasslands through a tour operator right inside the station. I opted for a private tour (1 driver, 1 passenger) so I could customize the itinerary.
The tour price included transportation, breakfast, hotels, and entrance fees. Lunch and dinner were on my own.
My Tour Included:
- Day 1: Shatta Trail
- Day 2: Qiongkushitai Village
- Day 3: Karajun Grassland
- Day 4: Qiaxi Grassland
- Day 5: Nalati Grassland
At the end of day 5, I asked the driver to drop me off at Yining train station to catch my train to Urumqi.
Day 13-> 14: Relaxing in Urumqi, Shopping for Souvenirs
Day 15: Back to HCM!
My flight departed at 7:55 AM, with an 8-hour layover in Chengdu, arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport at 22:10.
Checked out at 5 AM and took the shuttle bus to the airport at 5:30 AM.
End of my 15-day adventure!
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