Xinjiang is vast. Petrol stations are plentiful in major cities and along national highways, but in desert, mountain and plateau sections the gaps can reach 100–200 km, and occasionally more.
The basic rule
Refill whenever the tank drops below half — do not wait for the low-fuel warning light. Always fill up before entering remote areas, mountains or high plateau.
At the pump
- You must show an ID card to register; keep it with you
- Some stations require passengers to wait outside in a designated area
- Some small stations close at night, so plan to pass fuelling areas during daylight
- Foreign bank cards may not be accepted — carry cash or a local payment method
Trip planning
Before setting out each day, confirm the route and station locations, and calculate your range margin for long stretches. On charter products with a driver, fuelling is the driver's responsibility and fuel is normally included in the daily rate, usually subject to a daily mileage cap.