Bus Travel

Spectacular scenery and time for contemplation are the rewards for taking bus journeys. The negatives include long journeys, regular breakdowns, and, often, smoking on board. In Xinjiang, long-distance bus routes crisscross the province, including through the heart of the Taklamakan Desert, and from Ürümqi there are sleeper buses for the 20-hour journey to Kashgar (flying is often a similar price). In addition, there are handy tourist buses from Ürümqi to Heavenly Lake and from Xi'an city out to the Terracotta Warriors.