Is It Still Safe to Travel in Xinjiang?

In light of the July 5th riots that completely shut down Xinjiang for an entire week and claimed the lives of almost 200 people, it stands to reason that many travelers might think twice before making their planned journey out to China’s west. I don’t blame them, really. There are times when I have been cautioned not to travel within the province or advised on certain areas to avoid – and this is my home. But in reality what are the risks involved in gallivanting around Xinjiang? Or better yet…is it worth the risk?

If you ever plan on coming to Xinjiang – and I highly suggest you do – here are some common fears shared by many travelers as well as the truth behind these misconceptions.

Physical Risks

Fear: If I go to Xinjiang there’s a chance I’ll get caught in a fight and get hurt or seriously injured.
Reality: I've received numerous emails asking about the "state of affairs" within the province.  Truthfully it's extremely calm, especially considering all of the police that are patrolling the streets right now.  Unless you get drunk and start throwing fists, your chances of getting caught in the middle of something are pretty darn slim. You’re taking more of a risk getting into a taxi cab in Beijing than walking the streets of Xinjiang. These fights and riots are domestic disputes and rarely, if ever, involve foreign visitors.

Health Risks

Fear: I could get stabbed by a syringe or catch H1N1.
Reality:  The syringe scare is pretty much over now.  A few people were jailed for these incidents and rumor around the province suggests that nothing actually came from being "stuck".  Nobody got sick; nobody died.  H1N1 is a credible fear, but the same can be said for traveling around the U.S. at present.

Risks for Females

Fear: Single foreign women are targeted by the local population.
Reality: Uyghur and Han Chinese are no better or worse than people groups anywhere else in the world. If you’re cautious and use common sense, you’re in no more danger than any other part of China. Don’t feel safe walking the city street at night? Then don’t. To be honest, right now is probably the safest time for females considering there are so many police patrolling the streets at all hours of the day carrying very big guns.

Sightseeing Risks

Fear: I’m going to spend all this time and money traveling to Xinjiang but when I arrive they’ll tell me that such-and-such place is now closed to foreigners.
Reality: While it is wise to check ahead with a travel agency to ask about certain border areas you might want to travel to, major cities and sightseeing locations very rarely close. The worst you’ll get might be a few extra police check-points which end up being more of an annoyance than a risk. I ran into 4 of them just on my way into the capital of Urumqi from my city up north, but the most I was asked to do was write down my passport number.

Is It Worth It?

Although I must acknowledge that there is a risk involved in coming out here to Xinjiang, I truly believe that the benefits far outweigh any potential problems. Of course, this is coming from a guy who has voluntarily lived here for over 3 years, so take that with a grain of salt. You can also take a look at the series I wrote earlier this year entitled 6 Reasons to Live or Travel to Xinjiang. There you’ll find all the “benefits” that for me make the risks of traveling here seem insignificant.

Are there any other travel fears that I have missed? If I were to give you a free, all-expense paid trip to Xinjiang right now, would you do it?