Xinjiang’s autumn tourism routes are rich and diverse, and here are some recommended routes:
Northern Xinjiang Kanas + Hemo Small Loop Route:
Must-visit attractions: Kanas, Hemo, Koktokay, Colorful Beach, Sayram Lake, Tianshan Heavenly Lake, Duku Highway
Sample itinerary:
D1: Urumqi – S21 Desert Highway – Wulungu Lake – Colorful Beach Sunset – Stay in Burqin
D2: Burqin – Hemo Bridge – Hemo Village Sunset Viewing Platform – Stay at Hemo Village Cabin
D3: Hemo Sunrise and Morning Fog – Kanas Three Bays – Kanas Lake – Stay at Jadenyu Hotel
The subsequent itinerary can include attractions such as Sayram Lake and Tianshan Heavenly Lake.
Southern Xinjiang Kashgar + Pamir Plateau Small Loop Route:
Must-visit attractions: Kashgar Old Town, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Panlong Ancient Road, Tarim Populus Euphratesia Forest, Mustag Atag Peak, Baishahu Lake, China-Pakistan Friendship Highway
Sample itinerary:
D1: Kashgar – Baishahu Lake – Karakul Lake – Muji Volcano – Taxkorgan County
D2: Taxkorgan County – Hongqilafu Border Gate – Panlong Ancient Road – Bandier Lake – Taxkorgan County
D3: Taxkorgan County – Mustag Atag Glacier – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
The subsequent itinerary can include attractions such as Kashgar Old Town.
Other recommended routes:
Route 1 (Northern Xinjiang): Urumqi – Fuyun – Koktokay – Hemo – Kanas – Jadenyu – Colorful Beach – Urho -魔鬼城- Urumqi
Route 2 (Northern Xinjiang + Southern Xinjiang): Urumqi – S21 Desert Expressway – Colorful Beach Sunset – Burqin – Kanas – Trekking the Three Bays – Hemo -魔鬼城- Urho – Sayram Lake – Yining – Guozigou Bridge – Huocheng Lavender – Nalati – Tangbula
(This route is relatively long, and some parts can be selected for travel according to time.)
Route 3 (Southern Xinjiang Populus Euphratesia Season Crossing): Urumqi – Bosten Lake – Korla – Luntai Populus Euphratesia Forest – Kuqa – Yanlie Spring – Wensu Grand Canyon – Alar – Crossing the Desert Highway – Hotan – Kashgar Old Town Night View – Kashgar – Baishahu Lake – Mustag Atag Glacier – Taxkorgan County – Panlong Ancient Road – Bandier Lake – Kashgar
Precautions:
The best time for autumn tourism in Xinjiang is from September to October, when the autumn scenery of Kanas is particularly charming.
Southern Xinjiang is mainly known for its cultural landscape, and it can also be visited in September, and can be combined with Northern Xinjiang for a trip.
Factors such as transportation and accommodation need to be considered in scheduling, and it is recommended to plan and book in advance.
The above routes are for reference only, and the specific itinerary can be adjusted according to personal interests and time. Xinjiang’s autumn scenery is breathtaking, and both the natural scenery of Northern Xinjiang and the cultural landscape of Southern Xinjiang are worth visiting.