Below is a detailed travel guide for Xinjiang:?
I. Best Travel Time?
Xinjiang has a vast territory, and the best travel times vary in different regions. But overall, from May to October is the golden period for visiting Xinjiang 1.?
From May to June: At this time, the grasslands in the Yili region are lush and green, with wildflowers blooming in competition. The ice and snow on Sayram Lake begin to melt, and the lake water reflects the snow-capped mountains, making it an excellent opportunity to appreciate natural scenery.?
From July to August: Temperatures rise across Xinjiang, and fruits and melons ripen one after another, making it a great time to savor local delicacies. At the same time, it is also the peak season for visiting scenic spots in northern Xinjiang such as Kanas and Hemu, where the scenery is breathtaking but relatively crowded with tourists.?
From September to October: Autumn Xinjiang seems like nature has overturned its palette, with a riot of colors. The trees in Kanas turn golden, and the Populus euphratica forests also exhibit a captivating golden hue, making it a paradise for photographers.?
II. Must-Visit Attractions?
Kanas Scenic Area: Located in the Altay Mountains, it is called the "God’s Back Garden". Here there are mountains, lakes, and forests, with picturesque scenery throughout the four seasons. Especially in autumn, the scenery of the Three Bays (Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay) is absolutely beautiful. By climbing up the Fish-Viewing Platform, you can overlook the entire beauty of Kanas Lake. 1?
Tianshan Tianchi: Located near Urumqi, it is known as the "Fairy Pond on Earth". The lake water here is clear like a mirror, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, creating a very spectacular scenery.?
Sayram Lake: Located in Bozhou, the lake water is blue, as if it is a bright pearl of the earth. The grassland around the lake is vast, making it a great place for leisure and vacations.?
Colorful Beach: Located in the Altay region, it is famous for its unique colorful appearance. The rocks here have been weathered to form various peculiar shapes and colors.?
Nalati Grassland: Located in the Yili region, it is one of the most beautiful grasslands in Xinjiang. It is vast and covered with lush green grass, with herds of cows and sheep. It is a great place to experience the grassland atmosphere.?
III. Recommended Tourist Routes?
Below is a classic Xinjiang tourist route covering the main attractions in northern Xinjiang:?
D1: Urumqi – Colorful Beach – Burqin?
D2: Burqin – Kanas Scenic Area?
D3: Kanas Scenic Area – Hemu Scenic Area?
D4: Hemu Scenic Area – World Devil’s City – Wuerhe?
D5: Wuerhe – Sayram Lake – Guozigou Bridge – Qingshui?
D6: Qingshuihe – Huocheng Lavender – Yizhao Highway – Zhaosu?
D7: Zhaosu – Qiongkushitai – Tekes Eight Trigrams City?
D8: Tekes – Nalati Aerial Grassland – Nalati Town?
D9: Nalati – Duku Highway – Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery – Fairy Lake – Kuitun?
D10: Kuitun – Anjihai Grand Canyon – S101 National Defense Highway – Urumqi?
This route covers over 90% of the popular attractions in northern Xinjiang, including Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Qiongkushitai, and Nalati Grassland, allowing you to fully experience Xinjiang’s natural scenery and folk customs. 2?
IV. Precautions?
Safety issues: The people of Xinjiang are warm, hospitable, honest, and friendly, and the public security environment is good. However, no matter where you are, you need to pass through security checks to ensure safety. Security checks at train stations, bus stations, etc., may be relatively cumbersome, but police stations equipped on every street ensure travel safety. 3?
Respect customs: Xinjiang is a place with many ethnic groups, among which Uyghurs and Kazakhs are the main ethnic minorities. During your trip, you should understand and respect the local culture and customs to avoid unnecessary trouble.?
Weather changes: Xinjiang’s weather is unpredictable, with the saying "wearing a cotton-padded jacket in the morning and a silk garment in the afternoon, eating watermelon around the stove". Therefore, be sure to prepare sunscreen, cold-weather gear, and rain-proof equipment to cope with possible weather changes.?
Transportation: Xinjiang’s highways are straight but can easily cause visual fatigue and speeding, so you need to be extra careful. Additionally, due to the widespread pastoral areas in Xinjiang, livestock such as cows and sheep often cross the roads. Friends taking self-drive tours need to pay special attention to safety.?
I hope this guide can help you better plan your trip to Xinjiang and enjoy the uniqueness brought by this mysterious and beautiful land.?