Traveling to Xinjiang during the Dragon Boat Festival is an excellent choice. Here is a detailed travel guide for you.
I. Reasons to Travel to Xinjiang During the Dragon Boat Festival
Beautiful Scenery: During the Dragon Boat Festival, Xinjiang’s natural scenery is particularly charming, such as the grasslands and lakes in Yili, all presenting their most beautiful state.
Fewer People and Lower Costs: During the Dragon Boat Festival, Xinjiang has not yet entered the peak tourist season, with relatively fewer tourists, and lower travel and accommodation costs.
Extendable Holiday: With reasonable leave arrangements, you can extend the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday to a longer period, such as eight days, to fully enjoy the beauty of Xinjiang.
II. Recommended Travel Routes
Northern Xinjiang Route
D1: Urumqi – Sayram Lake Circuit – Guozigou Bridge – Qingshuihe
D2: Qingshuihe – Yining (Kazhanqi) – Yizhao Highway – Baishi Peak – Zhaosu
D3: Zhaosu – Xiata – Bagua City Lijie Street – Tekes
You can continue to visit attractions such as Jongkushitai, Nalati Aerial Grassland, and Duku Highway later.
Southern Xinjiang Route
D1: Urumqi – Northern Section of the Duku Highway – Nalati Town
D2: Nalati – Southern Section of the Duku Highway – Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon – Kuqa
D3: Kuqa – Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves – Wensu Grand Canyon – Aksu
You can continue to visit attractions such as Kashgar Old Town, Baishahu Lake, and Pamir Tourist Area later.
III. Recommended Must-Visit Attractions
Sayram Lake: One of the most beautiful high-mountain lakes in China, with clear green water surrounded by mountains, the scenery is like a fairyland.
Tianshan Tianchi: A high-mountain lake with clear water surrounded by mountains, it is an excellent destination for the Dragon Boat Festival holiday.
Kanas: Famous for its beautiful natural scenery and mysterious lake monster legends, it is one of the representative attractions in Xinjiang.
Kashgar Old Town: With a strong Uyghur flavor, you can taste local cuisine and enjoy ethnic song and dance performances.
IV. Travel Precautions
Sunscreen Measures: The sun in Xinjiang is intense, so it is recommended to bring sunscreen, sun umbrellas, sunglasses, and other sunscreen items.
Warm Clothing: Xinjiang has a large temperature difference between day and night, so it is recommended to bring appropriate warm clothing.
Transportation Arrangements: The journey in Xinjiang is relatively long, so be mentally prepared and reasonably arrange your itinerary.
Ticket Reservation: To ensure a smooth trip, it is recommended to book tickets and accommodation in advance.
V. Food Recommendations
Fried rice noodles, hand-grabbed rice, and pulled noodles: These are all specialty dishes of Xinjiang and worth trying.
Roast whole lamb, meat cooked in a缸子 (a type of container), and big plate chicken: Xinjiang’s meat dishes are also superb and must-tries.
During the Dragon Boat Festival, traveling in Xinjiang not only allows you to appreciate the stunning natural scenery but also experience the rich ethnic culture and cuisine. I hope this guide can help you with your trip to Xinjiang!