Tips for Snatching Train and Plane Tickets
How to secure transportation to Xinjiang during peak season: 12306 waiting list rules, how far in advance to buy plane tickets, and the order of booking tickets in golden autumn and flower seasons (plane tickets first or accommodation first).
Ticket Locking Order
Peak season principle: lock in the "scarce and crucial" resources first — accommodations in Hemu, Kanas Scenic Area > segment flights > major transportation into Xinjiang > hotels.
12306 Tips
Waiting list success rate is very high (ticket releases mostly in the morning); foreign passports can purchase tickets directly; night sleeper trains on popular routes should be booked as soon as they go on sale.
Advance Booking for Flights
Major flights into Xinjiang become price-stable about a month in advance; segment flights two to three weeks in advance; during the golden autumn and apricot blossom seasons, flight prices rise before accommodations, so book once you see a reasonable price.
Contingency Plan
If you can’t get tickets: Urumqi—Turpan by high-speed rail, Kuqa—Kashgar by night train, Ili—Kashgar by long-distance bus; leave one extra day for flexibility in your itinerary.