Major city · China
Kuche库车
Spend 1–2 days in Kuche to see the Old Town mosque, Friday Bazaar and Kiril Grottoes; travel onward by bus or train.
Kuche is a small Xinjiang town split between a modern Chinese New Town and a historic Uighur Old Town. Main sights are clustered, so a half‑day covers the mosque and bazaar, and a second half‑day adds the Kiril Grottoes and nearby lakes. Limited train service makes bus travel the most flexible for onward trips.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, possible road closures)
- Airport
- KCA
- 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 Kuche110 ▾
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 Kuche, 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
- SafetyLow crime; stay alert in bazaars and follow 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 · 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.
- AirportKCA Kuqa Qiuci Airport (Flights only to/from Urumqi; taxi to city centre).
- Getting aroundWalk between Old Town and New Town (≈10 min).
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 (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))¥30–45 (≈ US$5–7)
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket (city)¥2–5 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedBudget double room, a night, per personCN¥70 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range double room, a night, per personCN¥220 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedMid‑range double room, a night, per personCN¥260 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥120 (≈ US$17) · Mid CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · High CN¥350 (≈ US$50)
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
- KCA Kuqa Qiuci Airport (Flights only to/from Urumqi; taxi to city centre)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kuche: 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
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
0 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
0 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
0 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
0 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
0 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
0 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
Walk between Old Town and New Town (≈10 min). Taxis are available for longer trips; no local bus network.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Big Dragon Lake
goDoor to door: ≈1 h round trip
Taxi or local minibus from city centre, about 30 min
Scenic lake, less crowded than Tianchi
Little Dragon Lake
goDoor to door: ≈1 h round trip
Same as Big Dragon Lake
Pair of lakes with similar views
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.
Jiaotong Binguan (bus station hotel)
Budget double room about ¥70–80 per night; price may vary, negotiate
Kuqa Binguan
Mid‑range ¥180–228 per night; better rooms, central location
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
- ¥200–300 (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
- High
- ¥350 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget double room1 × 1 night × CN¥70 | CN¥70 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥120 | CN¥120 |
| Bus to Korla (round trip)1 × CN¥120 | CN¥120 |
| Taxi from airport to city centre1 × CN¥80 | CN¥80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥39 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥429 per person per day, bed included | CN¥429≈ US$60 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Goat meat dishlocal specialty | ¥30–50 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Tea (cup) | ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Taxi (5 km) | ¥30–45 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Bus ticket (city) | ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Limited train connections; check schedules for Urumqi or Kashgar.
- Friday Bazaar can be crowded; keep valuables secure.
- Some hotels may restrict foreign guests; confirm before booking.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Kuche库车
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
US consulate in Urumqi; check for regional coverage.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kuqa ↔ Korla bus: ≈ ¥120, 4 h each way (check)
- Taxi airport → city centre: ≈ ¥80 (check)
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 集市在哪里？ — Where is the bazaar? (jísì zài nǎlǐ?)
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 Kuche. 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 Dec–Feb (cold, possible road closures) · 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
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bus connections to Korla (≈4 h, frequent) and Kashgar (≈20 h).
- Train from Kuqa to Urumqi (≈12–18 h) – check schedule.
- Airport flights to Urumqi (≈1 h) – check availability.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata Kuche
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kuche, revision 4693260 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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