Xinjiang offers a rich variety of tourism routes. Here are several classic route recommendations:?
1. Kanas Loop (5-7 days):?
This route mainly focuses on exploring the Altay region, including attractions such as Kanas, Hemu, Koktokay, the Devil’s City, and Heiyou Mountain. Kanas Lake is as green as jade, surrounded by mountains, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Hemu Village feels like stepping into a fairy tale world, where you can experience primitive wooden house life. The best travel time is from September to October.?
2. Yili Loop (6-10 days):?
Explore the Yili River Valley enclosed by the Tianshan Mountains, including attractions such as Sayram Lake, Nalati Grasslands, Xiata, Tangbula, and the Duku Highway. Sayram Lake is clear and transparent, with a calm surface like a mirror; Nalati Grasslands have stunning scenery and are a paradise for photographers. It is suitable for travel from May to August, when the ice and snow melt in the northern and southern parts of the Tianshan Mountains, and the grasslands turn green, making it the best time to visit.?
3. Kayi Loop (11-13 days):?
This is a combination of the ‘Kanas Loop + Yili Loop’, allowing visitors to explore the attractions of these two major routes. It is the most essential natural scenery tourism route in Northern Xinjiang. Suitable for travel from May to October, it fully showcases the natural beauty of Xinjiang.?
4. Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop (13-17 days):?
A self-driving route encompassing the entire Northern Xinjiang, focusing mainly on scenic views. Based on the aforementioned ‘Kayi Loop’, it also adds desert and Gobi landscapes in the Turpan, Hejing, and Hami areas of Eastern Xinjiang. Suitable for travel from May to November, it allows for a comprehensive experience of the magnificent scenery and unique customs of Xinjiang.?
5. Southern Xinjiang Grand Loop (13-17 days):?
The tourism route facing the Tianshan Mountains across from the Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop focuses mainly on experiencing human culture. It mainly passes through places such as the Taklamakan Desert, the Pamir Plateau, and Kunlun Mountains. The best travel seasons are from September to November and from March to May. The customs of Southern Xinjiang are completely different from the natural scenery of Northern Xinjiang, making it a great place to experience the diverse cultures of Xinjiang.?
In addition, there are options such as the Southern Xinjiang Small Loop, the Entire Xinjiang Grand Loop, and multiple self-driving tourism boutique routes to choose from, such as the Xinjiang Yili River Valley Ecological Leisure Tourism Route and the Xinjiang East Tianshan Ecological Leisure Tourism Route.?
. These routes each have their own unique characteristics and can meet the travel needs of different tourists.?
When choosing a route, it is recommended to arrange your itinerary based on your interests and time, while also paying attention to local weather and traffic conditions to ensure a smooth trip.?