Xinjiang offers diverse travel routes. You can choose different routes based on personal preferences and travel time. Here are the main travel routes and best travel times in Xinjiang:
Kanas Loop Route (5-7 days):
Attractions: Kanas, Hemu, Koktokay, Devil’s City, etc.
Best time: September to October, when Kanas is painted in autumn colors, like a picturesque scene.
Yili Loop Route (6-10 days):
Attractions: Sayram Lake, Nalati, Xiata, Tangbula, Duku Highway, etc.
Best time: May to August, stunning scenery at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, with blooming grassland flower seas.
Kanas-Yili Loop Route (11-13 days):
Attractions: Combining the best attractions of the Kanas Loop Route and the Yili Loop Route.
Best time: May to October, the most essential natural scenery travel route in Northern Xinjiang.
Grand Northern Xinjiang Loop Route (13-17 days):
Attractions: Self-driving tour around Northern Xinjiang, including desert gobies, snowy mountains, grasslands, etc.
Best time: May to November, suitable for self-driving tours to experience the magnificent scenery of Northern Xinjiang.
Grand Southern Xinjiang Loop Route (13-17 days):
Attractions: Pamir Plateau, Kunlun Mountains, Taklamakan Desert, etc.
Best time: September to November and March to May, a perfect blend of cultural charm and natural landscapes.
Small Southern Xinjiang Loop Route (11-13 days):
Attractions: A condensed version of the Southern Xinjiang Loop Route, without missing key attractions.
Best time: Spring and autumn, when the temperatures are moderate, such as the beautiful胡杨林in mid to late October.
Grand Xinjiang Loop Route (40-50 days):
Attractions: A comprehensive tour of Xinjiang, combining the best attractions of Northern and Southern Xinjiang.
Best time: May to November, suitable for a long and in-depth exploration of Xinjiang.
In addition, some roads in Northern Xinjiang may be closed due to snow in winter (November to March of the next year), but Southern Xinjiang is relatively warm and suitable for exploring its cultural and desert landscapes. Meanwhile, winter is also a great time to enjoy the snowy scenery and go skiing in Northern Xinjiang.
Please choose suitable routes and travel times according to personal interests and schedules to ensure a memorable trip to Xinjiang.