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> Anybody with a Chinese visa can go there and poke around without special permissions This is not true. There are plenty of restrictions for foreigners travel
by tellarin 11y ago
> Anybody with a Chinese visa can go there and poke around without special permissions
This is not true. There are plenty of restrictions for foreigners travelling in Xinjiang, especially outside of the touristy areas in the main cities. Large areas are unreachable without special permits, allegedly due to "safety reasons".
- jpatokal 11y agoGot link? Permits are required for various treks like K2 base camp, some archaeological sites, the Karakoram Highway to Pakistan etc, and as usual in China there are restrictions (varyingly enforced) on where foreigners are supposed to stay overnight, but the list below doesn't appear particularly sinister. http://oldroadtours.com/index.php/preparing-for-your-tour/visas-lois-border-crossings-a-permits http://oldroadtours.com/index.php/preparing-for-your-tour/vi...
- tellarin 11y agoOverall it's not really that sinister, I guess. Outside those it's mostly local gov/police not wanting foreigners walking around, not being allowed of the bus between the larger cities, them being sensitive when getting somewhat close to the border with Kazakhstan, and Bingtuan. Having "paperwork" is required then. Plus, restrictions come and go on forcing foreigners to only travel with authorised tour agencies, or authorised guides, that won't take you to some places. And whose presence will make local people suspicious of talking to you.