The best travel time to Xinjiang is from May to October. It is recommended to visit popular attractions such as Kanas and Sayram Lake and plan your budget in advance.?
Best Travel Time: Xinjiang has a vast territory with varying best travel times in different regions. But overall, May to October is the golden period for visiting Xinjiang. From May to June, you can enjoy the beauty of the grasslands in the Ili region and Sayram Lake; from July to August, you can taste the fruits of Xinjiang and visit scenic areas in northern Xinjiang such as Kanas and Hemu; from September to October, you can admire the colorful autumn scenery of Xinjiang.?
Must-visit attractions:?
Kanas Scenic Area: Located in the Altay Mountains, it is known as the ‘God’s Backyard’. It is picturesque throughout the four seasons, especially in autumn, when the scenery of the Three Bays (Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay) is superb.?
Sayram Lake: Located in the Ili Prefecture, it is azure and silent. The Nadamu Festival held on the grassland by the lake every summer attracts countless tourists from outside Xinjiang.?
In addition, you can visit attractions such as Koktokay, the Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon, and the Old Town of Kashgar to experience different natural scenery and cultural customs.?
Budget Planning: Xinjiang has a vast territory with distant distances between attractions, resulting in relatively high transportation costs. In terms of accommodation, during the peak tourist season, the prices of hotels and homestays in Xinjiang generally increase. Regarding dining, Xinjiang is rich in cuisine, but the prices are not low. Therefore, when traveling in Xinjiang, it is recommended to set aside enough budget each day to have a more comfortable travel experience.?
The specific itinerary can be adjusted according to personal time and preferences, for example, you can choose classic routes such as Urumqi-Kanas-Yili, or try more niche routes, such as Koktokay and the Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon.?
. During the trip, you can also taste the specialties of Xinjiang, such as grilled mutton, hand-seized rice, and big plate chicken.?