A two-week travel guide to Xinjiang can be planned around the classic routes in northern Xinjiang, covering multiple must-visit attractions and unique experiences. Here is a detailed guide:?
I. Itinerary Overview?
Days 1-2: Depart from Urumqi, visit Tianshan Heavenly Lake, and then head to Burqin, enjoying the sunset at the S21 Desert Highway and Colorful Beach along the way.?
Days 3-4: Deeply explore Kanas Scenic Area, including Kanas’s Three Bays (Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay) and Fish-Watching Tower, and feel the grandeur of the ‘Garden of the Gods’. On the fourth day, you can visit Hemu Village to experience its fairy tale-like village scenery.?
Day 5: Return to Burqin from Hemu and visit the World Devil City to explore the unique Yadan landform.?
Day 6: Head to Yining and visit Sayram Lake and the Guozigou Bridge along the way, enjoying the lake scenery and spectacular bridge views.?
Days 7-8: Explore the areas around Yining, including the Nalati Aerial Grassland and Bayinbuluke’s Nine-Bend-Eighteen-Turn River, and experience the vastness of the grassland and the tranquility of the lake.?
Day 9: If time permits and the weather is good, you can try driving the northern section of the Duku Highway to experience the magical feeling of ‘seeing four seasons in one day’.?
Days 10-14: Depending on your interests and actual situation, you can choose to continue exploring southern Xinjiang, such as the Old Town of Kashgar and the Hetian Jade Market, or return to northern Xinjiang to visit other attractions, such as Koktokay and the Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan.?
II. Precautions?
Best Travel Time: The golden period for visiting Xinjiang is from May to October, but the best travel times vary by region. For example, Kanas and Hemu Village are most beautiful in autumn, while Sayram Lake is liveliest during the Nadamu Festival held on the grassland by the lake in summer.?
Accommodation Reservation: It often takes an hour to drive from the entrance of Xinjiang scenic areas to the core zone. It is recommended to book hotels in advance to avoid price increases and difficulty in finding suitable accommodations during peak seasons.?
Self-Driving Precautions: The distances between attractions in Xinjiang are relatively far. Friends who plan to self-drive should pay attention to driving safety and it is recommended to have two drivers rotate driving. Additionally, understand and comply with the traffic restrictions at each attraction, such as the Duku Highway being accessible only to vehicles with fewer than 7 seats, and with daily restricted driving times.?
Dress Code Suggestions: Choose appropriate attire based on the weather and attractions during your itinerary. For example, in Kanas and Hemu Village, you can opt for a forest-themed sweater paired with Martin boots, while at Sayram Lake, you can choose a light blue or pale yellow dress to contrast with the lake water.?
III. Unique Experiences?
Taste Delicacies: Xinjiang boasts a rich variety of delicacies, such as lamb kebabs, hand-grabbed rice, and large plate chicken. During your tour, be sure to try the local specialty foods and experience the culinary culture of Xinjiang.?
Participate in Folk Activities: On the grasslands of Ili and other places, you can participate in folk activities such as the Nadamu Festival and experience the folk customs of Xinjiang.?