The travel guide for October in Northern Xinjiang mainly includes recommended scenic spots, itinerary planning, clothing preparation, and other practical suggestions.
Recommended Scenic Spots
Kanas: Known as the ‘God’s Back Garden’, October is the most beautiful season in Kanas. The beauty of lakes and mountains is complemented by red leaves. There are also four wonders waiting for you to explore: lake monsters, sea of clouds and Buddha’s light, color-changing lakes, and deadwood causeways.
Hemu: A village surrounded by colorful forests, with morning fog and starry skies that are breathtakingly beautiful. It is the largest of the three remaining Tuwa villages in the world, full of primitive charm.
Colorful Beach: Formed by wind erosion and water erosion, it has typical colored hill landforms. The scenery on both sides of the river is completely different, making it a paradise for photographers.
Koktokay: A shepherd’s paradise, it is spectacularly golden in autumn. There are also beautiful scenic spots such as Kokesu Lake and Yileimu Lake waiting for you to visit.
Sayram Lake: Known as the ‘Last Tear of the Atlantic’, it is a large alpine lake in Xinjiang and a worthy ‘Eye of the Tianshan Mountains’. The lake water is clear and blue, making people feel refreshed.
Itinerary Planning
Below is a seven-day travel itinerary suggestion for October in Northern Xinjiang:
Day 1: Departure – Urumqi (airport pick-up), adapt to the time difference, rest and adjust.
Day 2: Urumqi – S21 Desert Expressway – Passing by Wulungu Lake – Colorful Beach – Burqin, enjoy the scenery along the way and feel the grandeur of nature.
Day 3: Burqin – Kanas Lake – Shenxianwan – Wolongwan – Moon Bay – Jiadengyu, go deep into the Kanas hinterland and appreciate the beauty of lakes and mountains.
Day 4: Jiadengyu – Ancient Hemu Village – Hemu, experience the customs of the Tuwa people and enjoy the morning fog and starry sky.
Day 5: Hemu – Urho魔鬼城 – Hemu’s Populus euphratica Forest – Karamay, explore the mysterious Urho魔鬼城 and admire the dazzling golden glow of the ten-thousand-mu Populus euphratica forest.
Day 6: Karamay – Entrance of Sayram Lake Scenic Area, take a walk around the lake and feel the charm of the ‘Last Tear of the Atlantic’.
Day 7: Sayram Lake – Second Visit and Leisurely Walk at Sayram Lake – Urumqi, take another in-depth walk at Sayram Lake, then return to Urumqi to end the pleasant journey.
Clothing Preparation
Warm Clothing: In October, the temperature in Altay Prefecture ranges from 1°C to 12°C, so it is recommended to wear warm clothing such as lined jackets, windbreakers, jackets, thin sweaters, padded jackets, or winter coats.
Protective Products: Xinjiang’s weather is dry, so you need to prepare skincare products such as lotion, body lotion, hand cream, lip balm, etc., as well as wet towels, tissue paper, and other daily necessities.
Others: Down jackets or raincoats, disposable underwear and socks, hoodies, thin sweaters, short-sleeved shirts, thermal underwear, neck pillows, hats, sunglasses, etc., as well as cash, ID cards, driver’s licenses, umbrellas, water bottles, power banks, mobile phone chargers, and other essential items.
Other Practical Suggestions
Food Recommendations: Xinjiang’s cuisine is rich and diverse, such as baked stuffed buns, baked naan, noodles with sauce, big plate chicken, cold-water fish, etc., all of which are delicious dishes that should not be missed.
Car Rental for Self-Driving: Scenic spots in Northern Xinjiang are relatively scattered, so renting a car for self-driving is a convenient way to travel, but please pay attention to driving safety.
Health Preparation: It is recommended to bring indigestion tablets, cold medicine, antidiarrhoeal drugs, fever reducers, and other common medications in case of need.
I hope this travel guide for October in Northern Xinjiang can provide useful references for your trip.