The following itinerary can be used as a reference for a five-day self-guided tour in Xinjiang:
Itinerary Overview:
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi, visit Sayram Lake, and stay overnight in Qingshuihe.
Day 2: Depart from Qingshuihe, visit Qiaxi Primitive Forest Park or Lavender Garden, and stay overnight in Gongliu or Tekes.
Day 3: Depart from Gongliu or Tekes to visit Qiongkushitai Village or Nalati Aerial Grassland, and stay overnight in Qiongkushitai or Nalati.
Day 4: Depart from Qiongkushitai or Nalati to continue exploring surrounding attractions such as Tangbula Grassland, and stay near Urumqi for the night.
Day 5: Explore or shop in Urumqi and end the itinerary.
Detailed Itinerary Arrangement:
Day 1:
Starting from Urumqi, head to Sayram Lake to enjoy the beauty of flower fields by the lake and wild swans.
A tour around Sayram Lake and the sunset scenery are not to be missed. You can rent a horse or take a boat tour.
Head to Qingshuihe Town for overnight stay in the evening to prepare for the next day’s itinerary.
Day 2:
Starting from Qingshuihe Town, you can choose to visit Qiaxi Primitive Forest Park to experience the magnificent scenery of mountains, valleys, and snow-capped fir trees.
, or visit the Lavender Garden to experience the Provençal charm of Xinjiang.
In the afternoon, you can visit places such as Kazanqi Folk Village and Tekes Eight Trigrams City to understand the local culture and history.
Head to Gongliu or Tekes for overnight stay in the evening.
Day 3:
Starting from Gongliu or Tekes, head to Qiongkushitai Village to experience the pure beauty of the deep mountains.
, or head to Nalati Aerial Grassland to admire the endless green fields and colorful flowers.
In the evening, you can choose to stay in a tent or homestay at Qiongkushitai Camp to experience the local rural charm.
, or enjoy song and dance performances in Nalati and stay at a local hotel.
Day 4:
Starting from Qiongkushitai or Nalati, you can head to Tangbula Grassland to experience the beautiful scenery of green apple-colored grasslands.
, or continue to explore other attractions around Nalati.
Drive to a nearby accommodation in Urumqi in the afternoon to prepare for the next day’s city tour or shopping.
Day 5:
Visit places such as the International Bazaar and Xinjiang Museum in Urumqi to understand the local culture and history.
You can taste Xinjiang’s special cuisines such as mutton skewers and big plate chicken.
End the five-day itinerary and prepare to return.
Precautions:
You need to carry your ID card for face recognition when traveling in Xinjiang, so be sure to bring it.
Book hotels and flights in advance, and remember to make reservations for popular attractions in advance.
Due to the great distances between attractions in Xinjiang, it is recommended to rent a car for self-driving travel, but attention should be paid to issues such as insurance and car return time.
The above guide is for reference only, and the specific itinerary can be adjusted according to personal interests and actual situations. Wish you a pleasant trip in Xinjiang!