A 20-day trip to Xinjiang allows you to explore the main attractions of both northern and southern Xinjiang in depth, experiencing a rich variety of natural scenery and cultural customs.?
Below is a detailed 20-day self-driving tour itinerary for Xinjiang:?
I. In-depth Northern Xinjiang Tour?
Departure from Urumqi: Visit Mount Tianshan and Tianchi Lake to experience the grandeur of Mount Tianshan and the tranquility of Tianchi Lake (1st day).?
S21 Desert Highway and Colorful Beach: Drive through the desert highway to admire the unique desert scenery, and arrive at Colorful Beach in the evening to watch the sunset (2nd day).?
Kanas: Hike through the three bays of Kanas, feel the mystery and beauty of Kanas Lake, and stay overnight in a log cabin within the scenic area (3rd day).?
Hemu Village: Spend time daydreaming, horse riding, and stargazing in Hemu Village, experiencing the tranquility and beauty of the primitive village (4th day).?
Devil City and Dushanzi Grand Canyon: Visit the Devil City to experience the magnificent work of nature, and then proceed to Dushanzi Grand Canyon to admire the spectacular canyon scenery (5th day).?
Sayram Lake and Guozi Valley: Take a scenic drive around Sayram Lake, admire the pure lake water, and visit the cliff viewpoint in Guozi Valley to take stunning photos (6th day).?
Nalati Aerial Grassland: Visit Nalati Aerial Grassland to experience the vastness and grandeur of the prairie (7th day).?
Bayanbulak’s Nine-Bend River: Visit Bayanbulak’s Nine-Bend River to admire the nine-bend river under the sunset and feel the tranquility and grandeur of the prairie (8th day).?
II. Southern Xinjiang Exploration Tour?
Northern Section of Duku Highway: Drive through the northern section of the Duku Highway to experience the amazing feeling of seeing four seasons in one day (9th day).?
Shopping for Souvenirs in Urumqi: Return to Urumqi and visit the Grand Bazaar to purchase unique souvenirs (10th day).?
Kashi Old Town: Visit Kashi and explore the Kashi Old Town to experience the rich Uyghur culture (subsequent itinerary can be arranged according to actual circumstances, such as the 13th day and beyond).?
III. Other Recommended Attractions and Activities?
Koktokay: The National Mining Park, with unique charm (can be arranged between the 6th and 7th days of the itinerary).?
Tekes and Kalajun: Explore the Kalajun Scenic Area and enjoy the prairie scenery (can be arranged between the 12th and 13th days of the itinerary).?
Turpan: Visit attractions such as Flaming Mountain and Turpan Grape Valley to experience the heat of Xinjiang and the sweetness of grapes (flexible arrangement based on the itinerary).?
IV. Precautions?
Transportation: When renting a car, it is recommended to choose a model suitable for dirt roads, such as the Tank 300, to ensure driving safety. Only vehicles with less than 7 seats are allowed on the Duku Highway, and there are daily restricted travel times.?
Accommodation: Book accommodation in advance to avoid not finding suitable accommodation during peak travel times.?
Clothing: Prepare appropriate clothing according to the season and weather changes. For example, wear cool and breathable clothes during the day in summer, and prepare warm clothing for the night.?
Tickets: Some attractions require advance reservations, such as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum and the Kalajun Scenic Area. Please plan ahead.?
The above itinerary is for reference only, and the specific schedule can be adjusted according to personal interests and time. Wish you a pleasant trip in Xinjiang!?