How to get to Shihezi

Shihezi is a unique garden city in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, renowned for its modern layout and abundance of greenery amidst desert landscapes. If you are wondering how to reach Shihezi to witness this "Gobi Oasis" with your own eyes, the region's convenient transport infrastructure is at your service. You can arrive here in various ways: by plane via the local airport, or by utilizing the train, intercity bus, or car.

For those who value their time, the optimal solution is a direct flight to Shihezi Huayan Airport (SHF). This air hub serves regular flights and is located in immediate proximity to the city limits, ensuring a comfortable arrival for travellers and a quick start to exploring the region.

If convenient direct tickets are not available, it is worth considering transit through neighbouring major hubs. Urumqi, a key transport hub with a wide geography of flights and convenient connections, is located just 134 kilometres away. Another accessible option is flying into Karamay, situated 170 kilometres away, from where it is also easy to reach your final destination.

Rail transport is an excellent choice for those planning a visit to Shihezi. The city operates its own railway station, receiving trains of various categories, which makes the journey simple and predictable.

The route from Urumqi is the most popular: thanks to the availability of high-speed trains, you can get from there very quickly and with great comfort. Additionally, the station serves trains arriving from other cities in the region, such as Karamay or Kuitun. Upon arrival at the station, tourists can easily use a taxi or public transport to reach the city centre or their hotel.

Bus services connect the city with key settlements in the region, offering travellers the opportunity to enjoy picturesque landscapes along the way. The most popular and busy route runs from Urumqi: comfortable coaches cover the distance of about 150 kilometres in an average of 2–3 hours. Trips depart with high frequency throughout the day, allowing tourists to plan their time flexibly without being strictly tied to a schedule.

It is also convenient to reach the "Garden City" from Karamay, located approximately 170 kilometres to the northwest; the journey in this direction will take about three hours. There are also longer routes, for example, from Qitai (Jitai) County, from where the trip will require more time, but modern highways make the journey quite comfortable. Upon arrival, buses usually drop passengers off at the central bus station, from where it is easy to get to a hotel by taxi.

Travelling by car through Xinjiang opens up excellent views of changing landscapes and offers complete freedom of action. The fastest and most popular route runs from Urumqi: the distance of 150 kilometres along a high-quality highway can be comfortably covered in just 2 hours. An alternative route from the city of Karamay, spanning about 190 kilometres, will take just over three hours of calm driving.

For those departing from Qitai (Jitai) County, the road will be slightly longer — about 330 kilometres, which will take approximately 4 hours. The intercity taxi service is well-developed in the region, and a trip by private car often proves to be not only comfortable but also quite reasonably priced, especially if you are travelling as a group and sharing the costs.

Preparing for a trip to Shihezi requires taking the region's specifics into account, from climatic features to the digital habits of locals. To ensure your trip to this part of China leaves only pleasant impressions, we have compiled a list of important practical recommendations.

1. Clothing and Climate. The climate here is sharply continental, so the weather can be unpredictable. Even if you are travelling in summer, be sure to bring a light jacket or windbreaker: temperature drops between the daytime heat and evening cool can be significant. In winter, warm clothes, including thermal underwear, will be required as frosts can be quite strong.
2. Transport and Navigation. The most convenient way to move around the city is by taxi, which is quite inexpensive here. However, drivers practically do not speak English. Save the names of your hotel and necessary attractions in Chinese characters on your phone in advance or print them out on paper to simply show to the driver.
3. Financial Matters. Bank cards from international systems (Visa, Mastercard) are practically not accepted in ordinary shops and cafes in Shihezi. It is strongly recommended to install Alipay or WeChat Pay apps and link your card to them — this is the main payment method in the country. Also, always keep a small supply of cash yuan for minor expenses.
4. Connectivity and Language. English is not widely spoken in the city. Before the trip, be sure to download an offline translator to your smartphone with voice input and photo text recognition capabilities (for translating menus and signs). Also, arrange for the purchase of a local SIM card or roaming for access to maps and the internet.
5. Security and Documents. Strict security measures are in place in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Always carry your passport with you: it may be checked at the entrance to shopping centres, train stations, parks, or simply on the street. Treat checks calmly and with understanding — this is a standard procedure.
6. Health and Water. It is not recommended to drink tap water; it is better to buy bottled water, which is sold everywhere. Given the dry climate of the region, do not forget to bring moisturising cream for face and hands, as well as lip balm.
7. Restrictions on Photography. Be careful with photo and video shooting. It is categorically not recommended to photograph police stations, checkpoints, military personnel, and law enforcement officers. This can lead to serious misunderstandings and a requirement to delete the footage.
8. Gastronomic Advice. Shihezi is famous for its cuisine, which combines the traditions of different peoples. Be prepared for the fact that portions in local restaurants are often very large, and the food can be spicy. If you do not like spicy food, learn the phrase "bu la" (not spicy), although spices are an important part of the culinary culture in this region.

Following these simple rules will help you avoid domestic difficulties and focus on exploring the unique architecture and green parks of this amazing city. Shihezi is a hospitable place, and with proper preparation, your journey will be comfortable and safe.