Choosing between Southern Xinjiang and Northern Xinjiang for travel mainly depends on personal travel preferences and desired experiences.?
Northern Xinjiang is renowned for its magnificent natural landscapes and is a paradise of natural scenery. It has the majestic Tianshan Mountains, vast grasslands such as the Nalati Grassland and Bayanbulak Grassland, as well as azure lakes like Tianshan Heavenly Pool, Kanas Lake, and Sayram Lake. The four seasons in Northern Xinjiang are distinct, with each season bringing different visual enjoyments. Especially from June to August, when wildflowers bloom on the grasslands, it is the best travel season. In addition, Northern Xinjiang also has a rich nomadic culture and cuisine, such as hand-grabbed rice and baked buns, which are experiences that tourists cannot miss.?
Southern Xinjiang attracts tourists with its profound cultural heritage and unique geographical landscapes. It is an important node on the ancient Silk Road, possessing rich historical relics and cultural treasures such as the Kashgar Old Town. Cities in Southern Xinjiang, such as Kashgar and Korla, have ancient grottoes and well-preserved ancient cities, as well as unique cultural experiences like grand canyons and grotto murals. In addition, Southern Xinjiang boasts the mystery of the Taklamakan Desert, the grandeur of the Pamir Plateau, and the historical cultures of different ethnic minorities, allowing people to feel the sentiment of ‘a solitary column of smoke rises straight from the boundless desert, the setting sun rounds the endless river’.?
Therefore, if you prefer natural scenery and nomadic culture, Northern Xinjiang will be a better choice; whereas if you are more interested in historical and cultural sites and unique geographical landscapes, Southern Xinjiang is worth visiting. Meanwhile, you can also choose based on the season and your personal schedule. The best travel season for Northern Xinjiang is from June to August, while Southern Xinjiang is suitable for visits from March to November.?