The classic tourist routes in Xinjiang include the Kanas Loop, Yili Loop, Kaiyi Loop, Northern Xinjiang Grand Circle, and Southern Xinjiang Grand Circle.
The Kanas Loop usually lasts 5-7 days, covering fairyland-like attractions such as Kanas, Hemu, Keketohai, and魔鬼城 (Ghost Town). This route centers on Kanas Lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and forests, creating breathtaking scenery.
The Yili Loop is suitable for a 6-10-day itinerary, where tourists can enjoy the stunning scenery at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains in places such as Sayram Lake, Nalati, and Xiata. The Yili Loop has its own charm in each season: almond blossoms in spring, grasslands in summer, orchards in autumn, and snowy landscapes in winter.
The Kaiyi Loop combines the best attractions of Kanas and Yili, usually requiring 11-13 days for an in-depth visit. This route allows tourists to experience the most essential natural scenery of Northern Xinjiang at one time.
The Northern Xinjiang Grand Circle and the Southern Xinjiang Grand Circle respectively require 13-17 days. The Northern Xinjiang Grand Circle self-driving tour takes you around Northern Xinjiang, where you can enjoy various landscapes such as desert gobies, snow-capped mountains, and grasslands; the Southern Xinjiang Grand Circle combines cultural customs with natural landscapes, including the Pamir Plateau, the Kunlun Mountains, and the Taklamakan Desert.
In addition, the Duku Highway is also a major highlight of self-driving tours in Xinjiang, known as the "Most Beautiful Highway in the Tianshan Mountains". It is 561 kilometers long, stretching from Dushanzi to Kuche, crossing the Tianshan Mountains. The landscape along the way is rich and varied, including snow-capped mountains, grasslands, valleys, and forests. It is the pinnacle of self-driving tours in Xinjiang.
Each of the above routes has its own characteristics, and tourists can choose suitable routes to visit according to their time and interests.