The travel guide for northern and southern Xinjiang mainly covers the natural landscapes of northern Xinjiang and the cultural customs of southern Xinjiang, with different tourist highlights in different seasons.
Northern Xinjiang is dominated by natural landscapes, and the best travel time is usually from May to October. Among them:
From May to June, the grasslands in the Ili region are lush and wildflowers bloom in competition, making it an excellent time to admire natural scenery. At this time, you can visit the Kanas scenic area to admire the picturesque beauty of mountains, lakes, and forests throughout the four seasons, especially attractions such as Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay.
From July to August, temperatures rise across Xinjiang, and fruits and vegetables ripen, making it a good time to enjoy local cuisine. At the same time, it is also the peak season for visiting attractions in northern Xinjiang such as Kanas and Hemu. The scenery is breathtaking, but there are relatively more tourists. At this time, the Duku Highway is also open to the public, allowing self-driving trips across the Tianshan Mountains, with stunning scenery along the way.
From September to October, autumn in Xinjiang seems like nature has overturned its palette, creating a colorful landscape. The trees in Kanas turn golden, making it a paradise for photographers. Additionally, you can visit Ili and the Ili River Valley to admire the beautiful scenery of flower fields and grasslands.
Southern Xinjiang mainly offers an experience of cultural customs, including deserts, gobi, Populus euphratica forests, and ancient cities. Tourism in southern Xinjiang is less affected by seasons and can be visited throughout the year. Among them:
Kashgar is an ancient city where you can experience local customs and traditions. The attractions on the Pamir Plateau, such as White Sand Lake,盘龙古道 (Panlong Ancient Road), and Mount Muztagata, are also worth visiting.
In autumn, you can visit the Populus euphratica forest in Luntai to admire the golden beauty of the trees. Additionally, the Taklamakan Desert, as China’s largest desert, offers a sense of the vastness and mystery of the desert.
When planning your itinerary, you can choose suitable attractions and routes based on your time and interests. For example, northern Xinjiang offers routes such as Ili, Kanas, and the Duku Highway; southern Xinjiang offers routes such as Kashgar, the Pamir Plateau, and the Populus euphratica forest. At the same time, you can also choose different travel methods such as self-driving or joining a tour group according to your preferences.
In general, northern and southern Xinjiang each have their unique tourist charm, captivating visitors with both natural landscapes and cultural customs. During the trip, it is important to protect the environment and cultural relics, respect local customs and religious beliefs, and make tourism a pleasant and unforgettable experience.