It has to be said that Xinjiang is a place where human culture and beautiful scenery converge, with majestic canyons and steep mountains77
The following article will introduce in detail which one should be visited first when traveling to Xinjiang, Southern Xinjiang or Northern Xinjiang?
Differences between Northern Xinjiang and Southern Xinjiang
The differences between Northern Xinjiang and Southern Xinjiang are mainly reflected in scenery, human geography, and history and culture.
The core of tourism in Northern Xinjiang lies in natural scenery, emphasizing visual enjoyment through the eyes; the core of tourism in Southern Xinjiang lies in history and human geography, emphasizing spiritual perception and shocking experiences.
Generally speaking, young people prefer to see scenery, while middle-aged and elderly people are more interested in culture. Therefore, when traveling to Xinjiang, most young people will choose Northern Xinjiang, while elderly people who love human geography, history and culture mostly choose Southern Xinjiang.
Two tourist routes in Northern Xinjiang
1. Ili Route: A route with beautiful scenery and abundant tourism resources in Xinjiang; including Sayram Lake, Tuergen Apricot Blossoms (April), Ili Huocheng Lavender Base (June), Kazanqi in Yining, Khorgos, Kuldning in Gongliu, one million mu of rape flowers in Zhaosu, Tekes Eight Trigrams City, Karakun Grassland, Nileke Tangbula, Nalati in Xinyuan, etc. Then, along the Duku Highway to Karamay Devil City, and return to Urumqi.
2. Altay Route: This is the second largest tourist resource-rich area in Xinjiang; from Burqin Kanas and Hemu to Baihaba and Colorful Beach, and then to Koktokay in Altay Wensu.
Northern Xinjiang, Must-Visit Attractions
1. Sayram Lake, Best Travel Time: June to early August. Wildflowers scattered around the lake, cattle and sheep grazing freely on the hills, and an elegant, mirror-like lake surface combine to form a picturesque scroll of Sayram Lake.
2. Kanas + Hemu, Kanas is beautiful during the golden autumn season, with colorful forests and a dazzling lake surface. Stay in Hemu at night to witness its sunset scenery, morning sunrise, mist in the light, and the red sun on the horizon, which is breathtakingly beautiful.
3. Duku Highway, China has two self-driving sky roads: one is the 318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway in Tibet, and the other is the Duku Highway in Xinjiang. Due to weather conditions, the Duku Highway is usually opened in early June and closed around October, with only four months of operation.
Cliffs, snowy mountains, grassland lakes, cattle and sheep against a blue sky with white clouds, winding roads stretching far and wide. Among travelers’ recommendations, the Duku Highway is a scenic route in Xinjiang that surpasses the Meiyi-Zhao Highway (Yining to Zhaosu).
4. Tekes Eight Trigrams City, take a Ferris wheel to see the panoramic view of Tekes Eight Trigrams City, providing a visually stunning and heart-stirring experience.
5. Karakun Grasslands, the second most popular attraction in Yili, offers many activities such as sightseeing buses, boats, cable cars, and horseback riding.
Scenic Spots in Southern Xinjiang
One of the scenic spots worth visiting in southern Xinjiang is the Bayinbuluke Grasslands. The grasslands I have visited include Tagong Grasslands, Maoya Grasslands, and Ruoergai Grasslands, but Bayinbuluke seems to be the most beautiful among all the grasslands I have been to.
It is even better than the Karakun Grasslands mentioned earlier, especially the Swan Lake and the Nine-Bend Eighteen-Turn Scenic Area. After seeing the beautiful scenery here, visiting other places will feel less impressive.
The Bayinbuluke Grasslands are at an altitude of 2500 meters, with the best viewing time being from June to September. By October, the grass starts to turn yellow, lacking the vivid charm of a lush green grassland. During summer vacations, rooms here are almost always booked up, so try to make reservations in advance.
If you want to learn about Xinjiang’s past culture, the Xinjiang Museum in Urumqi is the place to go. The geography and history of ancient Western Regions culture can be understood through the museum, experiencing the profoundness of Xinjiang’s culture.
Xinjiang Cuisine
The cuisine of both northern and southern Xinjiang is delicious and abundant. Be sure to visit local people’s homes or restaurants run by locals. Dishes like big plate chicken, hand-grabbed rice, mixed noodles, grilled mutton skewers, baked buns, yogurt, ice cream, baked naan, and more, as well as grapes, Hami melons, Korla fragrant pears, Aksu walnuts, Ruoqiang dates, etc., make your mouth water just thinking about them.
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456