China’s largest province much of Xinjiang is desert. The Silk Road passes through on its way west past desert oases and in across the huge mountain passes of the border region.

Urumuqi

The capital of Xinjiang Urumuqi is a fast developing Chinese city. Crisscrossed by new freeways studded with sparkling glass office blocks. It has all the trappings of city life including decent bike and outdoor shops.
Situated in the middle of the province it acts as the transport hub for the region:
Air: At the top of You hao rd. is the Xinjiang airlines office which sells tickets to most cities in China. If you buy 2 weeks early you may get a discount for some destinations. One-way prices include: Chengdu 1500RMB, Guangzhou 1450RMB Kashgar 900RMB. It is also possible to fly to the surrounding ex-Russian republics and Pakistan. The airport is about a 40min. ride from the office straight down the road.
Train: The train station has trains to most major cities in China and also further West to Kashgar 21hours.
Bus: The long distance bus station has sleeper buses to most cities in Xinjiang apart form the nearby Turpan and Tian Chi.

Karakoram Highway.

For cyclists Xinjiangs top draw card is the Karakoram highway, one of the world’s highest roads crossing the range that includes K2. The valleys along the road once hideouts for bandits raiding the Silk Road caravans now offer glimpses of century old cultures, each valley with different set of traditions. Apart from the riding the road off road rides into these valleys is an awesome way to experience the transition from China to Pakistan.

To get to the Karakoram take a train, bus or plane from Urumuqi to Kashgar. This ancient market town is a meeting of Arab sub continental and Chinese cultures and is the beginning of the great Karakoram ride.

An alternative adventure through mountains and lakes for those without the time for the exploring the distant Karakoram is Altai.