Major city · China
Yarkand莎车
Spend 1–2 days in Yarkand as a break on the Kashgar‑Hotan route; arrive by train or bus, stay near the Old Town.
Yarkand is a small Xinjiang city on the southern Silk Road, useful as a stop between Kashgar and Hotan. With a few sights and cheap transport, a single night is enough, two if you add a desert trek.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug
- Airport
- QSZ
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
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
Emergency numbers for Yarkand110 ▾
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 Yarkand, 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
- SafetyYarkand is generally safe for day visitors; keep valuables concealed, avoid isolated desert areas after dark, and respect local customs.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and 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.
- AirportQSZ Yarkand Airport (40‑min drive from city centre, taxi ≈¥60).
- Getting aroundBus between Kashgar/Hotan (≈¥1) and shared electric scooters (≈¥2.5 per 15 min).
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
- QSZ Yarkand Airport (40‑min drive from city centre, taxi ≈¥60)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
not flagged
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Mar
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Care
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Care
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
not flagged
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C) low), wettest Jul (8 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Yarkand: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
2 rd
Feb
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
2 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
3 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
4 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
3 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
2 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
Bus between Kashgar/Hotan (≈¥1) and shared electric scooters (≈¥2.5 per 15 min). Taxis from airport ≈¥60.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kashgar
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Train from Yarkand, about 2 h, ¥30 (≈ US$5), 7 per day
Main hub of the region; visit the Sunday market.
Hotan
goDoor to door: ≈3.5 h
Train from Yarkand, about 3.5 h, ¥45 (≈ US$7), 5 per day
Explore the jade market and ancient mosques.
Taklamakan Desert camel trek
overnightDoor to door: ≈2 days total
Arrange via local operators in Yarkand; start from Karasu village, 250 km (155 mi) south of KashgarArrange via local operators in Yarkand; start from Karasu village, 155 mi (250 km) south of Kashgar
Requires at least two days; best in spring or autumn.
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.
Shache Hotel
Around ¥220 for foreigners, cheaper for locals; basic facilities.
New Century Hotel
¥80, budget option for foreigners.
Subiyi Aletun Hotel
¥100 double room, modern, near Old Town.
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
- ¥120–¥180 (≈ US$17–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥180–¥300 (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
- High
- ¥300 (≈ US$45)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Bus ride (city‑wide) | ¥1 (≈ under US$1) |
| Shared electric scooter (15 min) | ¥2.5 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi from airport | ¥60 (≈ US$9) |
| KTV bar room (4 drinks, up to 03:00) | ¥288 (≈ US$45) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Train from Kashgar (2 h, ¥30 (≈ US$5), 7 per day) is far cheaper than the flight; check schedules.
- Alcohol is limited; KTV bar costs ¥288 (≈ US$45) for 4 drinks, stay till 03:00.Alcohol is limited; KTV bar costs ¥288 (≈ US$45) for 4 drinks, stay till 3:00 AM.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Yarkand莎车
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Urumqi; Xinjiang region; check for latest location.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Kashgar → Yarkand: ≈¥30, 2 h, 7 per day (check)
- Train Hotan → Yarkand: ≈¥45, 3.5 h, 5 per day (check)
- Bus Kashgar → Yarkand: ≈4 h, no fare listed (check)
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duì bu qǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duō shǎo qián?)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma?)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?)
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 Yarkand. 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: Apr–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- secondaryWikidata Yarkand
- secondaryWikivoyage: Yarkand, revision 5086421 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Yarkand
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