There are two main ways to have a vehicle in Xinjiang: a self-drive rental, or a charter that includes a driver. Both are priced by the number of days; the difference is whether you drive yourself. Four points help you decide.
1. Driving experience
If you are used to long-distance and mountain driving and can handle desert and high-altitude roads, self-driving is fine. If you rarely drive long distances, or have no experience on mountain roads or ice and snow, a charter is the safer option.
2. Documents
Self-drive requires your own valid driving licence; foreign visitors also need a temporary driving permit. If your documents are not in order, or you would rather avoid the paperwork, a charter requires no licence.
3. Itinerary intensity
Daily driving distances in Xinjiang are generally long. If your schedule is tight and involves more than 400 km a day, driving yourself invites fatigue, whereas a charter lets you save your energy for the scenery.
4. Group size
With up to three or four people, self-driving is more flexible — you can stop whenever you like. With five or more, a lot of luggage, or elderly travellers and children, a charter (MPV, van or minibus) is more comfortable and far less demanding.
You can also mix
Some itineraries combine both: self-drive for the city sections and a charter for the plateau sections, for example. Talk to our team about what suits your route.