The Tianshan Mountains are the symbol of Xinjiang
When mentioning Xinjiang, many people immediately think of the words ‘Tianshan Mountains’ in their minds
The Tianshan Mountains stretch across central Xinjiang, running east-west
Xinjiang people are accustomed to calling the area north of the Tianshan Mountains Northern Xinjiang and the area south of the Tianshan Mountains Southern Xinjiang
Some people prefer the colorfulness, green mountains, and clear waters of Northern Xinjiang
While some people uniquely love the desolation and vicissitudes of Southern Xinjiang
1. Climatic Differences
Northern Xinjiang, north of the Tianshan Mountains, has a relatively humid climate and slightly higher rainfall due to the influence of the warm and moist air currents from Siberia. Southern Xinjiang, south of the Tianshan Mountains, has a dry climate and scarce rainfall due to the majestic Tianshan Mountains blocking the warm and moist air currents from entering.
2. Differences in Landscape Characteristics
Due to the obvious climatic differences, there are huge distinctions in the landscape features between Northern and Southern Xinjiang: Northern Xinjiang has a humid climate, which has nurtured a large number of natural landscapes such as forests, grasslands, and lakes. The famous ones include Kanas Lake Tourist Area and Yili Grassland Large Tourist Area. In contrast, Southern Xinjiang has a dry climate, with natural landscapes dominated by deserts, plateaus, and poplar trees. The religious sites and ancient city beacons left over from the Silk Road more than a thousand years ago have also been preserved due to its dry climate, becoming an important part of Southern Xinjiang’s human landscapes. Therefore, it can be said that Northern Xinjiang’s landscapes are dominated by natural landscapes, while Southern Xinjiang’s landscapes are a combination of natural and human landscapes.
3. Differences in Travel Methods
The natural landscapes of Northern Xinjiang, such as Kanas Lake and Yili Grassland, are relatively mature and well-developed due to their early tourism development. Various transportation options are convenient, with airplanes, trains, and highways directly reaching the scenic areas, all relatively accessible. Southern Xinjiang’s tourism development is relatively late and backward compared to Northern Xinjiang. Tourists either choose chartered car tours or self-guided tours.
Recommended Tours of Northern Xinjiang
Northern Xinjiang boasts magnificent wonders such as the fairyland-like Kanas Lake, the idyllic Hemu Village, the grassland pearl Sayram Lake, the fertile grasslands of Gongnais, the colorful Colorful Beach, the forbidden land of Urho, and more.
1. Small Loop Route of Kanas in Northern Xinjiang
The small loop route of Kanas focuses on Kanas Lake scenic area, with surrounding attractions including the primitive villages of Hemu Village and Baihaba Village; as well as the best viewpoint of Kanas: Fish Viewing Terrace. Along the small loop route of Kanas, attractions include the World Geological Park – Keketohai, and two types of Yardang landforms: Colorful Beach and Ghost City.
Therefore, the essential attractions of the Kanas loop route include Kanas Lake, Hemu, Fish Viewing Terrace, and Colorful Beach; while the panoramic route includes Kanas Lake, Hemu, Habahe, Fish Viewing Terrace, Colorful Beach, Keketohai, and Ghost City.
3-Day Tour of Kanas
Day 1: Urumqi – Kanas (Take a direct flight to Kanas scenic area and visit Kanas Lake on the same day)
Day 2: Kanas – Fish Viewing Terrace – Hemu (Visit by scenic area shuttle bus)
Day 3: Hemu – Urumqi (After staying overnight in Hemu Village, fly directly back to Urumqi from Kanas Airport)
Many people may not have much time to travel due to work and other reasons, making the direct flights to Kanas scenic area within Xinjiang the preferred route. This route allows more time to be spent in the scenic areas without delaying personal work or travel arrangements. The entire itinerary lasts only 3 days but allows for a great experience of the highlights of Kanas scenic area, Hemu scenic area, and more.
6-Day Tour of Kanas
Day 1: Urumqi – Keketohai (Follow National Highway 216 on the east route, attractions: Kekesuli, Keketohai)
Day 2: Keketohai – Habahe (Attraction: Birch Forest)
Day 3: Habahe – Kanas (Attractions: Kanas Lake, Fish Viewing Terrace)
Day 4: Kanas – Hemu (Attraction: Hemu Village)
Day 5: Hemu – Burqin (Attraction: Colorful Beach)
Day 6: Burqin – Urumqi (Follow National Highway 217 on the west route, attraction: Ghost City)
This is a non-loop route starting from G216, passing through Keketohai, known as a World Geological Park, to the primitive Birch Forest, then heading to Kanas with Swiss scenery to search for the trace of lake monsters, before returning to Urumqi via G217, passing by the Ghost City with eerie sounds, and traveling through deserts, lakes, Danxia landforms, primitive villages, and more.
2. Small Loop Route of the Yili Grasslands in Northern Xinjiang
The small loop route of the Yili Grasslands focuses on the Nalati Grasslands as the main destination. The conventional route includes Sayram Lake and Lavender Fields as part of a complete grassland tour; while the in-depth route incorporates Bayinbuluke Grasslands, Zhaosu Grasslands, and Karajun Grasslands, forming a panoramic and in-depth grassland tour route.
2-Day Tour of Yili
Day 1: Urumqi – Yining (Take an early morning flight from Urumqi to Yining, then visit the Nalati Grasslands)
Day 2: Yining – Sayram Lake – Fruit Valley – Lavender Fields – Urumqi (Visit Sayram Lake, Lavender Fields, and return to Urumqi on an evening flight)
Due to geographical and climatic reasons, the flowers and plants in Yili in Northern Xinjiang are more suitable for growth compared to Southern Xinjiang. The lavender in June and July is known as the Provence of China. Those who like to appreciate flowers should not miss it.
6-day tour of Yili in Northern Xinjiang
Day 1: Urumqi – Sayram Lake (Attraction: Circumnavigation of Sayram Lake)
Day 2: Sayram Lake – Zhaosu (Attractions: Yizhao Highway, Rapeseed Field)
Day 3: Zhaosu – Karakjun (Attractions: Koksu Grand Canyon, East and West Karakjun)
Day 4: Karakjun – Nalati (Attractions: Nalati Aerial Grassland, Valley Grassland)
Day 5: Nalati – Bayanbulak (Attractions: Nine-Bend-Eighteen-Turn River, Swan Lake)
Day 6: Bayanbulak – Duku Highway – Urumqi (Attraction: Duku Highway)
If you have enough time to go to Yili in Northern Xinjiang, you can choose to start from Urumqi and take the Duku Highway across the Tianshan Mountains, feeling the four seasons (snow-capped mountains, grasslands, jungles) along the way.
3. Northern Xinjiang (Kanas + Yili) Grand Loop way to play
The Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop includes Kanas Lake and Yili Grassland, which is a relatively popular way to play in recent years. The whole trip does not backtrack and is relatively compact. You can finish visiting the essential scenic spots in 8 days; if you want to go in-depth, around 10 days is best.
8-day tour of Northern Xinjiang
Day 1: Urumqi – Burqin (Along National Highway 216 on the East Route)
Day 2: Burqin – Kanas (Attractions: Kanas Lake, Fish Viewing Tower)
Day 3: Kanas – Hemo – Burqin (Attractions: Hemo, Colorful Beach)
Day 4: Burqin – Kuitun (Attraction: Devil’s City)
Day 5: Kuitun – Yining (Attractions: Sayram Lake, Lavender Base)
Day 6: Yining – Nalati (Attraction: Nalati Grassland)
Day 7: Nalati – Bayanbulak – Hejing (Attractions: Bayanbulak Grassland, Nine-Bend-Eighteen-Turn River, Swan Lake)
Day 8: Hejing – Urumqi
10-day in-depth tour of Northern Xinjiang
Day 1: Urumqi – Burqin (Along National Highway 216 on the East Route; Attraction: Colorful Beach)
Day 2: Burqin – Kanas (Attractions: Kanas Lake, Fish Viewing Tower; Stay in the Kanas scenic area to watch the morning fog)
Day 3: Kanas – Hemo (Attraction: Hemo; Stay in the Hemo scenic area to watch the morning scenery)
Day 4: Hemo – Haba River (Attraction: Birch Forest)
Day 5: Haba River – Karamay (Attraction: Devil’s City)
Day 6: Karamay – Sayram Lake (Attraction: Sayram Lake; Stay by Sayram Lake to watch the sunrise)
Day 7: Sayram Lake – Karakjun (Attraction: Karakjun Grassland)
Day 8: Karakjun – Nalati (Attraction: Nalati Grassland; Stay in Nalati Grassland)
Day 9: Nalati – Bayanbulak (Attractions: Bayanbulak Grassland, Nine-Bend-Eighteen-Turn River, Swan Lake)
Day 10: Bayanbulak – Urumqi (Attraction: Duku Highway)
Recommended ways to play in Southern Xinjiang
There is a saying, "If you haven’t been to Kashgar, you haven’t really been to Xinjiang". The rich ethnic exoticism within Kashgar city and the splendid scenery of the Pamir Plateau have become the tourist cards of Kashgar. Other regions, such as Hotan, Kuqa, Aksu, Korla, etc., also have some beautiful scenery.
3-Day Southern Xinjiang Tour
Day 1: Urumqi – Kashgar – Taxkorgan County (Attraction: Hongqilafu Port, Pamir Plateau)
Day 2: Taxkorgan County – Kashgar (Attraction: Karakul Lake)
Day 3: Kashgar – Urumqi (Attraction: Kashgar Old Town)
Kashgar is far from Urumqi, with a one-way distance of 1,500 kilometers, so it is generally necessary to travel by air. The one-way full-price ticket from Urumqi to Kashgar is 2,800 yuan per person. There are many flights, and if booked a week in advance, there are usually special discounted tickets at around 20% off, which is about 1,200 yuan round trip.
6-Day Southern Xinjiang Tour
Day 1: Urumqi – Kuqa (Attraction: Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon)
Day 2: Kuqa – Hotan (Attraction: Desert Highway, No Man’s Land)
Day 3: Hotan – Zepu (Attraction: Hotan Jade Bazaar)
Day 4: Zepu – Bachu – Kashgar (Attraction: Populus Euphratica Forest, Wetland)
Day 5: Kashgar – Taxkorgan County (Attraction: Pamir Plateau Scenery, Hongqilafu Port)
Day 6: Kashgar – Urumqi (Attraction: Karakul Lake, Kashgar Old Town)
2. Chartered Car Travel for the Great Southern Xinjiang Loop
The Great Southern Xinjiang Loop generally refers to a trip starting from Urumqi, passing through Korla, Kuqa, Aksu, and arriving in Kashgar. Then, starting from Kashgar, traveling towards Hotan, Minfeng, and Luntai, converging in Korla, and returning to Urumqi along the same route.
Scenery of Kunlun Mountains
Great Southern Xinjiang Loop
Day 1: Urumqi – Korla (Attraction: Village of Lop Nor People)
Day 2: Korla – Kuqa (Attraction: Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon)
Day 3: Kuqa – Aksu (Attraction: Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves)
Day 4: Aksu – Kashgar (Attraction: Kashgar Old Town)
Day 5: Kashgar – Taxkorgan County (Attraction: Hongqilafu Port)
Day 6: Taxkorgan County – Kashgar (Attraction: Karakul Lake)
Day 7: Kashgar – Hotan (Attraction: Walnut King Tree)
Day 8: Hotan – Minfeng (Attraction: Scenery of Kunlun Mountains)
Day 9: Minfeng – Luntai (Attraction: Desert Highway)
Day 10: Luntai – Korla (Attraction: Night View of Peacock River)
Day 11: Korla – Urumqi
1. Clothing
When traveling in northern Xinjiang, you need to prepare clothing for all four seasons. The temperature difference between day and night is large in Kanas Scenic Area and Bayinbrook Grassland, and there is plenty of rainfall. It can rain or even snow at any time. Once the weather changes, the temperature drops sharply, usually only 7/8 degrees Celsius at night, while during the day when the sun comes out, it can be very sunny and require summer clothing. Therefore, when traveling to northern Xinjiang, besides bringing summer clothing, you should at least bring a thick coat.
The climate in southern Xinjiang is dry, and the temperature in summer is relatively stable, generally around 30 degrees Celsius during the day and around 20 degrees Celsius at night. The climate within scenic areas also does not vary much. Except for the Hongqilafu Port which is at a higher altitude and has a lower temperature, summer clothing is sufficient for other places. However, sunscreen is necessary, so even if it’s summer clothing, it is recommended to wear lightweight long-sleeved shirts.
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456