The travel guide for Northern Xinjiang mainly includes the best travel time, must-visit attractions, and recommended itinerary routes.
Best Travel Time:
Xinjiang is vast, and the best travel times vary in different regions. But overall, the golden period for visiting Northern Xinjiang is from May to October. From May to June, the grasslands in the Yili region are lush with green grass and wildflowers blooming, providing an excellent opportunity to admire natural scenery; from July to August, temperatures rise across Xinjiang, and fruits ripen, making it the peak season to visit Northern Xinjiang attractions such as Kanas and Hemu; from September to October, autumn in Xinjiang is colorful and a paradise for photographers.
Must-visit Attractions:
Kanas Scenic Area: Located in the Altay Mountains, it is known as the “God’s Backyard”. It has mountains, lakes, and forests, with picturesque scenery throughout the four seasons, especially in autumn when the Three Bays (Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay) are exceptionally beautiful.
Sayram Lake: With its clear and azure waters, it contrasts beautifully with the surrounding snow-capped mountains and grasslands, making it a great place to admire natural scenery.
Colorful Beach: With its unique Yadan landform, it showcases stunning scenery under the afterglow of the sunset.
Hemu Village: Rated as one of the six most beautiful ancient towns and villages in China by Chinese National Geography, it is known as the “Self-retained Land in the God’s Backyard”. You can experience horse riding to Dameili Peak, Xiaomeili Peak, and other routes.
Recommended Itinerary Route:
Below is a recommended 7-day self-driving itinerary for Northern Xinjiang:
Day1: Urumqi – Colorful Beach – Burqin. Depart from Urumqi in the morning, embark on the S21 Desert Highway, and enjoy the unique landscape of the desert intertwined with the highway. Arrive at Colorful Beach in the evening to admire the Yadan landform, and stay in Burqin at night.
Day2: Burqin – Kanas. After breakfast, head to Kanas, stroll along Kanas Lake to admire its emerald-green waters, and stay in a log cabin within the Kanas scenic area at night.
Day3: Kanas – Hiking the Three Bays – Hemu. Get up early to view the morning fog at Shenxian Bay, then hike along the boardwalk through the Three Bays. In the afternoon, head to Hemu Village to stay in a log cabin and admire the primitive Tuwa village.
Day4-Day7: Depending on personal interests and time arrangements, you can continue to explore attractions around Hemu, such as Haden Viewing Platform, hiking or rafting by Kanas Lake, or head to other famous attractions in Northern Xinjiang such as乌尔禾魔鬼城 (Urho Devil’s City) and Tianshan Heavenly Lake.
The above guide is for reference only, and the specific itinerary needs to be adjusted according to personal interests and time. Before traveling, it is recommended to understand the local weather, transportation, and accommodation in advance and make corresponding preparations.