Major city · China
Cherchen且末
Visit Cherchen for a quick 1‑day stop if you’re on a Silk Road itinerary; otherwise skip it and base in Kashgar or Hotan.
Cherchen is a small oasis town on the southern Silk Road with a handful of museums, a historic bazaar and nearby desert sights. Facilities are basic and transport limited, so a single day is enough for the main attractions, with extra time only if you plan remote trips such as the Molcha rock carvings.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Sep–Nov, Mar–May (cool, less sandstorm risk)
- avoid Jun–Aug (sandstorms, extreme heat)
- Airport
- IQM
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cherchen110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cherchen, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyCherchen is generally safe for day visitors; main risks are sandstorms and limited medical facilities.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIQM Qiemo Yudu Airport (2 weekly flights to Urumqi via Korla; may be cancelled if low demand).
- Getting aroundTaxi (metered) in town; hire 4WD for trips to remote sights.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (meter start)¥20 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomCN¥150 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomCN¥500 (≈ US$70)
- High-end bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomCN¥800 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥400 (≈ US$60) · High CN¥600 (≈ US$85)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IQM Qiemo Yudu Airport (2 weekly flights to Urumqi via Korla; may be cancelled if low demand)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest Jun (3 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cherchen: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
1 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
1 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
2 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
1 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxi (metered) in town; hire 4WD for trips to remote sights. Buses connect to Khotan (11 h) and Ruoqiang (6 h).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Khotan
cautionDoor to door: ≈12 h
Daily bus, 11 h, 605 km (376 mi)Daily bus, 11 h, 376 mi (605 km)
Long ride; consider overnight if you want to explore Khotan.
Ruoqiang (Charklik)
goDoor to door: ≈7 h
Daily bus, 6 h, 351 km (218 mi)Daily bus, 6 h, 218 mi (351 km)
Shortest link to the desert road network.
Molcha River Rock Carvings
skipDoor to door: ≈5 h round trip
4WD hire, 180 km (112 mi) east4WD hire, 112 mi (180 km) east
Remote, requires vehicle and extra day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Muztag Hotel
Modern rooms, English‑speaking manager, limited water schedule
Local guesthouses
Basic amenities, cash‑only, no foreign currency exchange
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–¥350 (≈ US$35–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥400–¥500 (≈ US$60–70) excl. bed
- High
- ¥600 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room1 × 1 night × CN¥150 | CN¥150 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥250 | CN¥250 |
| Taxi within town (5 km)1 × CN¥30 · check | CN¥30 |
| Bus to Khotan (one way)1 × CN¥120 · check | CN¥120 |
| eSIM data (7 days)1 × CN¥80 · check | CN¥80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥63 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥693 per person per day, bed included | CN¥693≈ US$100 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights and long‑distance buses excluded.
Prices of common things
| Tea (local café) | ¥15–¥30 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Naan or flatbread | ¥10–¥20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi (meter start) | ¥20 (≈ US$3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sandstorms in spring can delay travel; keep schedule flexible.
- English is rare; carry Mandarin and Uyghur phrasebooks.
- No ATMs or currency exchange in town; bring RMB.
- Water and hot water may be rationed; ask hotel for schedule.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Cherchen且末
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
بۇ ئادرېسقا بارىڭTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
US consular services are in Kashgar; Chinese police station in Cherchen cannot process visa extensions.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Qiemo ↔ Urumqi (via Korla): ≈ ¥300–¥400 one way, 2‑day flight
- Bus Cherchen → Khotan: ≈ ¥120, 11 h
Say or show
- ئىسىلامۇ ئەلەيكۇم — Hello (Isilamu alaykum)
- قەدىر قەندە — How much? (qedir qende)
- ئېنگلىزچە بىلىمسىز؟ — Do you speak English? (englizche bilimsiz?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cherchen. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Sep–Nov, Mar–May (cool, less sandstorm risk) · avoid Jun–Aug (sandstorms, extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a 4WD rental option for desert excursions.
- Link to nearby Silk Road guides (Kashgar, Hotan).
Sources
Ask about Cherchen
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