The travel guide to Xinjiang mainly includes aspects such as the best travel time, must-visit attractions, itinerary planning, and budget preparation.?
Best Travel Time?
Xinjiang is vast, with varying optimal travel times in different regions. Overall, May to October is the golden period for visiting Xinjiang:?
May to June: The grasslands in the Ili region are lush and wildflowers bloom in competition. The ice and snow on Sayram Lake begin to melt, making it an excellent opportunity to admire natural scenery.?
July to August: Temperatures rise across Xinjiang, and fruits ripen, making it a great time to savor local cuisine. It is also the peak season for visiting northern Xinjiang attractions such as Kanas and Hemu.?
September to October: Autumn in Xinjiang is colorful, with Kanas’ trees and poplar forests displaying a mesmerizing golden hue, making it a paradise for photographers.?
Must-visit Attractions?
Kanas Scenic Area: Located in the Altai Mountains, it is known as the ‘God’s Backyard’, picturesque throughout the four seasons, especially in autumn. The Three Bays (Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay) offer breathtaking scenery.?
Sayram Lake: Located in Ili Prefecture, it is azure and serene. The Nadamu grand gathering held on the grassland by the lake every summer attracts countless tourists.?
Koktokay: Consisting of four parts – Irtysh Grand Canyon, Koksu River, Yilemut Lake, and Karaxianger Earthquake Fault Zone, it offers diverse natural scenery suitable for hiking and photography.?
Itinerary Planning?
Below is an example of a 6-day self-guided travel itinerary:?
Day 1: Urumqi. Taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine such as grilled meat and whole roasted lamb.?
Day 2: Urumqi – Shanshan – Turpan. Visit Shanshan Kumtag Desert Park and experience Uyghur dances and songs.?
Day 3: Turpan – Kanerjing – Urumqi. Visit Kanerjing and experience Uyghur culture.?
Day 4: Urumqi – Shihezi – Urumqi. Visit the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Museum.?
Day 5: Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Urumqi. Visit the ‘Fairyland on Earth’, Tianshan Tianchi.?
Day 6: Arrange freely according to interests and time, such as visiting other attractions or shopping.?
Alternatively, you can consider the 10-day Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop, covering over 90% of popular attractions in Northern Xinjiang, such as Sayram Lake, Jongkushitai, and Duku Highway.?
Budget Preparation?
Xinjiang is vast, with distant distances between attractions, resulting in relatively high transportation costs. Whether you choose to travel by plane, train, or rent a car for self-driving, it will require a considerable expense. In terms of accommodation, during the peak tourist season, the prices of hotels and homestays in Xinjiang generally increase. Regarding dining, Xinjiang offers abundant cuisine but at a not-so-low price. Considering transportation, accommodation, dining, as well as potential ticket and entertainment costs, it is recommended to set aside a budget of more than 1000 yuan per day for a more comfortable travel experience in Xinjiang.?
I hope this guide can help you better plan your trip to Xinjiang!?