The best travel routes in Xinjiang vary from person to person, depending on travel time, personal interests, and preferences. However, the following routes are considered classics by many tourists due to their unique natural scenery and rich cultural experiences, and can be used for reference:?
Kanas Loop Route: This route usually takes 5-7 days and covers attractions such as Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, Keketohai, and the Ghost City. Kanas Lake is as green as jade, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dense forests, earning it the nickname ‘Fairyland’. Hemu Village resembles a fairy tale world, with morning light, curling smoke, and primitive and serene wooden houses.?
Ili Loop Route: A 6-10 day itinerary that allows visitors to explore the stunning scenery at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, such as Sayram Lake, Nalati Grasslands, and Xiata. The Ili Loop Route offers different scenery in each season, with apricot blossoms in spring, grasslands in summer, orchards in autumn, and snowy landscapes in winter, each with its own unique characteristics.?
Kayi Loop Route: This is the most essential natural scenery route in Northern Xinjiang, taking 11-13 days. It combines the essence of Kanas and Ili attractions, providing tourists with a comprehensive visual feast.?
Northern Xinjiang Grand Circle Route: A 13-17 day self-driving tour covering deserts, gobies, snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and other landscapes. This route includes almost all the essential attractions in Northern Xinjiang and is an excellent opportunity to deeply experience the natural and cultural beauty of Xinjiang.?
Duku Highway: Known as the ‘Most Beautiful Highway in China’ and the ‘Scenic Avenue Running Through the Backbone of the Tianshan Mountains’, it is only a few hundred kilometers long, but the scenery along the way is picturesque and extremely spectacular. However, it should be noted that the Duku Highway is only open for a few months each year and has certain restrictions on vehicles.?
In addition, the Southern Xinjiang Grand Circle Route, the Eastern Xinjiang Route, and multiple self-driving tourism highways such as the S21 Awu Expressway and the S101 Hundred-Mile Danxia Scenic Route are also great choices for traveling in Xinjiang.?
. When choosing a travel route, it is recommended to plan according to your actual situation and interests to ensure a pleasant and fulfilling journey.?