[Suitable Travel Times for Xinjiang]
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The best time to travel to Xinjiang is from May to October.
Southern Xinjiang is mainly known for its human landscapes, with unique natural scenery as well; Northern Xinjiang is mainly known for its beautiful natural scenery, with snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, rivers, sheep flocks, yurts, primitive forests, etc., making people happy and forget to return.
The abundant spring of May
At this time in Xinjiang, ice and snow melt, and spring is abundant, with vitality everywhere.
The northern Xinjiang grasslands are green like carpets, with sheep and cattle on the valley slopes, and small flowers on the grasslands competing to bloom. Tourism in Xinjiang also starts to enter its peak season.
From June to early July
A highlight of coming to Xinjiang at this time is the lavender in Yili, with its romantic purple color, as well as the hanging gardens of Karakjun.
There are also the blooming rape flowers in Zhaosu, with lines of bright yellow and green interlacing.
And the Tianshan Red Flowers bloom in the valleys during this season, showing the world their fiery passion and vigor.
Whether it’s beside Sayram Lake, or on Qiaxi Grassland, Bayanbulak Grassland, and the hillsides of Hemu, blue, purple, and many other small flowers are blooming in spots, everywhere is a world and sea of flowers, and the beautiful season of Xinjiang’s grasslands has arrived.
From mid-July to the end of August
The grasslands are still so green, but the flowers that dominated in June are about to fade away. However, it doesn’t matter, because high-quality Xinjiang fruits start to hit the market in large quantities.
And since it’s summer vacation, there are still so many people coming to Xinjiang for tourism. Go to the Colorful City, Devil’s City, and Kuqa Grand Canyon to watch sunrises and sunsets, marvel at the uncanny workmanship of nature, the geological structures that are so lifelike, and the bizarre and fascinating colors that make humans feel insignificant.
Go to Bayanbulak to see the Nine-curve and Eighteen-bend River and search for the traces of swans.
The most beautiful September
The autumn in Xinjiang is like a palette overturned by God, colorful and splendid.
At this time, the No. 5 boundary monument of Baihaba, the first village in the northwest, Kanas神仙湾 (Fairy Bay), Moon Bay, Wolong Bay, and not to mention Hemu – the self-sufficiency land of fairies, are filled with colorful forests, cedars, rivers, and forests with rich layers, just like walking in an oil painting.
The Red Tree Valley in Koktokay is a season of alternating yellow and red leaves around September 25th. There is also Baishahu Lake, which resembles an oil painting in this beautiful season.
Glorious October
After several autumn rains, the leaves of the birch forest in Kanas fall successively, and the trunks stand in the wind, presenting a凄美廖落(translates to ‘desolate and beautiful’) oil painting-like effect.
Go to the desert to see the千年不死(千年不死 translates to ‘千年不朽’, meaning ‘eternally enduring’) Populus euphratica forest. The blue sky, golden leaves, and twisted trunks in various poses showcase its resilience and grandeur in the desert.
In early October, visit the Populus euphratica forest in Muli, Northern Xinjiang. In late October, the Populus euphratica forests in Luntai and Yuli await you to admire their vicissitudes and grandeur.
Id Kah Mosque
[Precautions for Traveling in Xinjiang]
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1. ‘Wearing a fur coat in the morning and silk in the afternoon, eating watermelon around the fireplace’ is a typical portrayal of Xinjiang’s climate. Xinjiang has a continental arid climate with large diurnal temperature variations. The climate differs significantly between different seasons and altitudes. The temperature difference between morning and evening can reach about 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. In case of bad weather in the scenic area, the temperature may drop even lower. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare for cold and heat prevention. Generally speaking, for summer tourism, you need to prepare short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, and thicker outerwear. Weak individuals may need to prepare thin cashmere sweaters.
2. Xinjiang has long sunshine hours and high summer temperatures. Some areas have high altitudes and strong ultraviolet rays. Turpan, an area with high temperatures in Xinjiang, can reach over 40 degrees Celsius in summer. Therefore, it is necessary to bring sunscreen items such as sunscreen lotion, sun umbrella, hats, etc., and also prepare medications or powders for heatstroke prevention, such as chrysanthemum tea.
3. Xinjiang has a dry climate with strong winds and sandstorms. Female friends are advised to prepare corresponding moisturizing and sunscreen cosmetics, carry enough water, and bring a lip balm with them.
4. Xinjiang has long routes and scattered scenic spots. Therefore, long car rides can cause fatigue. Please be prepared for hardships. Many scenic spots in Xinjiang require walking, hiking, climbing, or riding horses. It is recommended to prepare a pair of comfortable sports shoes suitable for hiking.
5. Pay attention to the time difference: Xinjiang is geographically located in UTC+8, while Beijing is in UTC+6. There is a two-hour time difference between Xinjiang and mainland cities like Beijing. Tourist activities are usually arranged between 9:00-22:00.
6. Xinjiang is known as the ‘Hometown of Fruits and Melons’, with a variety of fruit species, and a sweet and fragrant taste. Eating fruits in Xinjiang is a great pleasure, but be sure not to drink hot tea after eating fruits to avoid diarrhea.
8. The long-distance tours on both sides of Mount Tianshan in Xinjiang offer breathtaking scenery
9. Xinjiang is rich in natural resources
10. The distances between scenic spots in Xinjiang are relatively long, and the car rides can be long and boring. Prepare some snacks and plenty of water. You can also prepare chess, cards, etc., for entertainment.
11. Try to bring your own toiletries, such as toothpaste, slippers, towels, etc.
13. There are many scenic spots in Xinjiang, and many of them are along the way. Therefore, renting a car for self-guided tours is a good choice, which is free and flexible, saving time while allowing you to see more scenic spots.
Welcome to Xinjiang, Xinjiang Travel Recommendation: Guo Jing