Xinjiang Family Trip | Complete Guide to Taking Kids to Kumtag Desert, High-Speed Rail Direct Access + Easy on the Feet

Shanshan | Turpan | Urumqi | Xinjiang Family Route

Taking kids to the desert? Kumtag Desert is super kid-friendly! 🏜️

Right next to Shanshan County, just 1.5 hours by high-speed rail from Urumqi 🚄

A rare sight of desert and city in one frame, unique in the whole country!

Kids go wild rolling on the sand dunes as soon as they see them~

🚖 Family Transportation:

High-speed rail to "Shanshan North Station" is super convenient

🚄 Urumqi → Shanshan North 1.5h / 79.5 CNY

🚄 Turpan North → Shanshan North 0.5h / 28 CNY

Taxi from the station to the new entrance of the scenic area takes 20 minutes (about 30 CNY)

Remember to use a child safety seat!

🏜️ Easy Kid-Friendly Route:

✅ Ticket + No.1 shuttle bus = 60 CNY (must buy!)

Route No.1 goes straight to the core viewing area, with spectacular rolling sand dunes

Photos ②~④ were all taken at the No.1 route endpoint!

No need to buy Route No.2 for kids (mainly amusement projects)

The shuttle bus saves energy, and kids can nap on the bus 👶

📸 Family Photo Tips:

After getting off, walk right and climb the sand dune for about 15 minutes to reach the photo spot!

⚠️ Safety First: Always keep the camp within sight

Dress kids in bright colors, red/orange looks great on camera 🎈

Evening light is soft, kids won’t get sunburned, and you can capture stunning desert silhouettes

⭕️ Must-Know for Traveling with Kids:

☀️ Avoid noon! Recommended to enter after 5 PM

👶 Have kids wear sunglasses + wide-brim hats, rinse eyes immediately with clean water if sand gets in

🚶 Choose soft-soled sand-proof shoes, or rent shoe covers at the scenic area

💧 Carry a spray bottle! The desert is so dry it can crack kids’ skin…

🍜 Kid-Friendly Food:

▪️ Barketi: Fried meat mixed with noodles! Lamb skewers are not spicy (photo ⑦)

▪️ Paisili Mint Soda: Refreshing and cooling, kids fight to drink it 🥤