June is the best season to travel to northern Xinjiang. At this time, the grasslands are lush and green, Sayram Lake is as blue as jade, the snow-capped mountains are majestic, and hotel and car prices are relatively low. It is a great time to escape the heat and save money.
. Here is a detailed travel guide for northern Xinjiang in June:
I. Recommended Itinerary
8-Day Boutique Itinerary
D1: Depart from Urumqi, cross the S201 Desert Highway, arrive at Wulungu Lake, enjoy the sunset at Colorful Beach, and overnight in Burqin
D2: Depart from Burqin, head to White Sand Mountain, and overnight in Hemu Village
D3: Depart from Hemu Village, visit Kanas Three Bays and Kanas Lake, and overnight in Jiadenyu or Kanas
D4: Depart from Kanas, visit Urho魔鬼城 and Ten Thousand Mu of Poplar Forest, and overnight in Urho
D5: Depart from Urho, visit Sayram Lake and Guozigou Bridge, and overnight in Qingshuihe
D6: Depart from Qingshuihe, visit lavender fields and Nalati Aerial Grassland, and overnight in Nalati
D7: Depart from Nalati, visit the northern section of Duku Highway, Tangbula 100-Mile Gallery, and Fairy Lake, and overnight in Dushanzi
D8: Depart from Dushanzi Grand Canyon, visit S101 Highway, and return to Urumqi
Additionally, you can consider another itinerary that also covers multiple famous attractions in northern Xinjiang.
Day 1: Arrival in Urumqi
Day 2: Urumqi – Tianshan Heavenly Lake – Beitun
Day 3: Beitun – Hemu Village – Jiadenyu
Day 4: Jiadenyu – Kanas – Burqin
Day 5: Burqin – Colorful Beach – Urho魔鬼城 – Kuitun/Wusu/Dushanzi
Day 6: Kuitun/Wusu/Dushanzi – Sayram Lake – Bole
Day 7: Bole – Dushanzi Grand Canyon – Urumqi
Day 8: Urumqi – Return Trip
II. Highlights of Attractions
Kanas: The Kanas scenic area in the northernmost part of Xinjiang is as beautiful as a painting. With little light pollution at night, you can see a starry sky from inside a log cabin.
Hemu Village: The viewing platform offers a fantastic view of sunrises and morning mist, but the village is relatively commercialized with higher prices.
Sayram Lake: The lake scenery is beautiful and it is a great place for taking photos.
Duku Highway: One of the most beautiful highways in China, it opens in early June each year, spanning the Tianshan Mountains from north to south. It is a must-visit highway for countless travelers.
III. Travel Tips
It is not advisable to be too ambitious when traveling in Xinjiang. Arranging too many attractions per day can lead to fatigue. It is recommended to plan your itinerary reasonably.
Temperatures in Xinjiang in June are pleasant, but there is a large temperature difference between day and night. It is recommended to bring warm clothing.
Security checks in Xinjiang are strict. Carry your ID card with you at all times. Also, be aware of the time difference. Local time is Beijing time, but daily routines are two hours later.
Diet is mainly mutton and beef. Vegetarians need to prepare in advance.
With the above guide, you can fully appreciate the beautiful scenery and charm of northern Xinjiang in June and enjoy an unforgettable travel experience.