The Xinjiang travel guide mainly includes three parts: best travel time, must-visit attractions, and travel suggestions.
I. Best Travel Time
Xinjiang is vast, and the best travel times vary in different regions. Overall, May to October is the golden period for visiting Xinjiang:
May to June: The grasslands in the Ili region are lush, and wildflowers are blooming in competition. The ice and snow on Sayram Lake begin to melt, making it an excellent time to appreciate natural scenery.
July to August: Temperatures rise across Xinjiang, and fruits and melons ripen one after another. It is the peak season to visit northern Xinjiang scenic areas such as Kanas and Hemu, with breathtaking scenery but relatively more tourists.
September to October: Autumn in Xinjiang is colorful. The trees and poplar forests in Kanas present a charming golden yellow, making it a paradise for photographers.
II. Must-Visit Attractions
Kanas Scenic Area: Located in the Altay Mountains, it is known as the "God’s Backyard". With mountains, lakes, and forests, it is picturesque throughout the four seasons, especially in autumn. The scenery of the Three Bays (Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay) is extremely beautiful.
Sayram Lake: Located in the Ili Autonomous Prefecture, the lake water is azure and serene. The annual Nadamu grand gathering held on the grassland by the lake attracts countless tourists from outside Xinjiang.
Koktokay: The scenic area consists of four parts: the Irtysh Grand Canyon, Koksu Lake, Yiremut Lake, and Karaxianger Earthquake Fault Zone, allowing visitors to enjoy natural scenery such as峡谷河源 (canyon river sources), marsh wetlands, extremely cold lakes, and peculiar earthquake fault zones.
In addition, Hemu Valley, Naren Grassland, Gongnais Grassland, Tangbula Grassland, Nalati Grassland, Koksu Grand Canyon, Lavender Manor, Qiongkushitai, rape flowers in Zhaosu Grassland, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Kashgar Old Town, etc., are also attractions worth visiting.
III. Travel Suggestions
Budget Planning: Xinjiang is vast, and the distances between attractions are far apart, resulting in relatively high transportation costs. Coupled with expenses for accommodation, dining, and possible tickets, entertainment, etc., it is recommended to set aside a budget of more than 1000 yuan per day for a more comfortable travel experience.
Safety Precautions: Xinjiang has a typical temperate continental arid climate with large diurnal temperature variations, low annual precipitation, long sunshine duration, and strong ultraviolet radiation. Regardless of the season, be prepared with warm clothing and take sun protection measures.
In addition, you can choose suitable travel routes according to your own time and preferences, such as the 7-day tour of Ili in Northern Xinjiang, the 6-day tour of Altay in Northern Xinjiang, the 10-day tour of the Northern Xinjiang Grand Circle, the 8-day tour of the entire Duku Road, the 12-day tour of the Southern and Northern Xinjiang Grand Circle, etc.
The above information is for reference only, and the specific itinerary needs to be adjusted according to personal actual circumstances. Wish you a pleasant journey!