rail connection between Hotan (和田) and Kashgar (喀什) in Xinjiang.
This railway line is called the Kashgar–Hotan railway (喀和铁路).
Here are the key details:
Length: Approximately 488.27 km (303.40 mi).
Completion and Opening:
Construction began in December 2008.
It opened to freight traffic on December 30, 2010.
Passenger service began on June 28, 2011.
Route: The railway runs along the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, connecting major cities and towns of the Southwestern Tarim Basin. Intermediate stations include Shule, Akto, Yengisar, Yarkant (Shache), Poskam (Zepu), Karghilik (Yecheng), Pishan (Guma), and Karakax (Moyu).
Travel Time: Train journeys between Hotan and Kashgar typically take between 5.5 to 7 hours, with some direct express services (like the Z9851/2) completing the journey in around 5 hours.
Significance:
It extends the Southern Xinjiang Railway south from Kashgar.
Together with the Hotan–Ruoqiang railway, the Southern Xinjiang railway, and the Golmud–Korla railway, it forms the world’s first desert railway loop, encircling the Taklamakan Desert (total length 2,712 km). This loop was completed with the opening of the Hotan–Ruoqiang railway in June 2022.
This line has significantly improved transportation and economic development in the southern Xinjiang region, allowing for faster transport of goods like Hotan’s carpets and Kashgar’s plums to other parts of China, and facilitating travel for local residents and tourists.
It is also considered a segment of the proposed and partially under-construction Xinjiang-Tibet Railway.
The main railway line connecting these two major cities in Xinjiang is the Southern Xinjiang Railway (南疆铁路), also known as the Nanjiang Railway.
Ürümqi to Korla Section: The Southern Xinjiang Railway starts from Turpan (which is connected to Ürümqi by the Lanzhou–Xinjiang Railway, including high-speed rail). It then runs south to Korla.
Korla to Kashgar Section: From Korla, the Southern Xinjiang Railway continues westward, passing through cities like Kuqa, Aksu, and Atush, before reaching Kashgar.
Total Journey: The entire journey from Ürümqi to Kashgar by train typically takes a significant amount of time, as it’s a long route across Xinjiang. Travel times can range from around 18 to 24 hours or more, depending on the specific train type and number of stops.
Train Types: Services include both conventional (K-series, T-series) passenger trains and sometimes D-series (intercity bullet trains) for parts of the route, particularly the Ürümqi to Korla section, which has seen upgrades allowing for faster travel. For example, direct D-trains run between Ürümqi and Korla, and from Korla, you would typically switch to a conventional train to Kashgar, or take a direct conventional train all the way from Ürümqi.
Significance: This railway is crucial for connecting the more developed northern parts of Xinjiang (around Ürümqi) with the resource-rich and populous southern Xinjiang region, facilitating trade, tourism, and overall economic development. It also links into the railway network of the Kashgar-Hotan railway, completing a rail loop around the Taklamakan Desert.
While there isn’t a dedicated high-speed rail line for the entire Ürümqi-Kashgar route yet, the existing Southern Xinjiang Railway provides a vital and heavily utilized rail link. You’re right to ask for clarification, as the term “high-speed train” can be a bit ambiguous in China, especially in regions like Xinjiang.
While there isn’t a dedicated, full high-speed rail (HSR) line (like the 300-350 km/h lines found in eastern China) that runs directly from Ürümqi to Kashgar, there is a very important and frequently used conventional railway connection between the two cities, primarily using the Southern Xinjiang Railway (南疆铁路).
Here’s a breakdown:
Main Line: The connection is provided by the Southern Xinjiang Railway, which originates from Turpan (connected to Ürümqi by the Lanzhou–Xinjiang High-Speed Railway) and extends all the way to Kashgar.
Journey Time: Trains between Ürümqi and Kashgar are generally overnight services due to the long distance (around 1,475 kilometers or 917 miles). Travel times typically range from 11.5 hours to over 20 hours, depending on the specific train number and number of stops. The fastest direct trains can complete the journey in about 11.5 to 17 hours.
Train Types: These are primarily normal-speed trains (K-series, T-series, Z-series) which offer various classes, including hard seats, hard sleepers, and soft sleepers – sleepers are highly recommended for such a long journey.
Partial High-Speed/Intercity Service: While the entire route isn’t HSR, the section between Ürümqi and Korla (which is part of the Southern Xinjiang Railway) does have D-series (intercity bullet train) services operating at up to 160 km/h. This means you can travel at a faster speed for the initial part of the journey if you choose a train that offers this or transfer. However, for the full Ürümqi to Kashgar trip, you’re primarily looking at overnight conventional trains.
Key Intermediate Stations (on the way to Kashgar): Turpan, Korla, Kuqa, Aksu, and Artux are some of the major cities and towns the railway passes through on its way to Kashgar.
