The western Xinjiang self-driving tour guide mainly includes the following routes and attractions:
Itinerary Route:
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi and begin your Xinjiang journey.
Day 2: Head to Bole to explore the local customs and culture.
Day 3: Visit Sayram Lake, cross Guozigou Bridge, visit Jieyou Princess Lavender Farm, and finally arrive in Yining.
Day 4: Visit Liuxing Street, explore the Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area, and finally cross the Ili River Bridge.
Day 5: Climb the Baishi Peak Observation Deck, cross the Angeliete Daban, explore the Wolf Valley scenic route, and finally arrive in Zhaosu.
Day 6: Hike the Xiata Ancient Path, visit Yuhu Lake, explore the Grassland Stone Man scenic area, and finally arrive at Qiongkushitai.
Day 7: Spend the day in Qiongkushitai, enjoying tranquility and beauty.
Day 8: Visit the Taiji Altar, stroll through Lijie Street, and finally visit Bagua Park.
Day 9: Traverse the Tangbula-Mengkete Ancient Path and experience natural scenery.
Day 10: Visit Dushanzi Grand Canyon and then return to Urumqi.
Day 11: End the trip and prepare for the return journey.
Introduction to Main Attractions:
Sayram Lake: Known as ‘The Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean’, it is the largest and highest-altitude lake in Xinjiang, with unique and beautiful lake water.
Guozigou Bridge: The first steel truss cable-stayed bridge in China, part of Asian Highway 5, known as ‘The Bridge of Life Above the Abyss’.
Jieyou Princess Lavender Farm: Known as ‘The Hometown of Lavender in China’, it boasts the most beautiful lavender mountain flower sea landscape.
Xiata Ancient Path: The route taken by Tang Monk in ‘Records of the Western Regions’, a top hiking route in the Ili region.
Qiongkushitai: The most recommended attraction on the western route, a fairy tale-like village and the starting point of the Wusun Ancient Path.
Tangbula-Mengkete Ancient Path: One of the most famous grasslands in the Ili region, known as the ‘Hundred-Mile Gallery’.
Dushanzi Grand Canyon: Naturally formed by Tianshan snowmelt, its gray-black valley walls are nearly vertical and it is the first stop on the Duku Highway.
Other Recommendations:
Food: Xinjiang specialty dishes such as Big Plate Chicken, Hand-Grabbed Rice, Roasted Bun, and Mutton Skewers are worth trying.
Tekes: A mysterious city without traffic lights, its streets are named after the八卦 (Bagua) trigrams.
This guide covers the main attractions and special activities of the western Xinjiang route, suitable for travelers who love natural scenery and cultural exploration. During the trip, you can also taste local cuisine and feel the unique charm of Xinjiang.