The 15-day self-guided tour of Xinjiang can be planned around the classic routes of Northern Xinjiang, Yili, Southern Xinjiang, and Eastern Xinjiang. Here is a detailed guide suggestion:?
I. Itinerary Overview?
Northern Xinjiang Route: You can enjoy famous attractions such as Tianshan Heavenly Lake, Kanas, Hemu Village, and Devil’s City. These attractions feature lake and mountain scenery, primitive forests, and unique folk customs, which are the essence of northern Xinjiang tourism.?
D1-D2: Urumqi – Tianshan Heavenly Lake – Burqin?
D3-D4: Burqin – Kanas – Hemu Village?
D5-D6: Hemu Village – Colorful Beach – Devil’s City – Urho?
Yili Route: Mainly featuring attractions such as Nalati Grassland, Sayram Lake, and Duku Highway, you can experience Xinjiang’s grassland scenery and magnificent mountains and rivers. The Duku Highway is open seasonally, so plan your itinerary in advance.?
D7-D8: Urho – Sayram Lake – Kuitun – Duku Highway – Nalati Grassland?
D9: Nalati Grassland – Bayanbulak?
Southern Xinjiang Route: You can visit attractions such as Lopnur Village and Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan Mountains to experience the desert, Populus euphratica forests, and unique folk customs of Southern Xinjiang.?
D10-D11: Bayanbulak – Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan Mountains – Lopnur Village – Korla?
Eastern Xinjiang Route: Including attractions such as Flaming Mountain and Grape Valley, you can experience the oasis culture and unique natural landscapes of Eastern Xinjiang.?
D13-D14: Korla – Kumtag Desert – Flaming Mountain – Grape Valley – Urumqi?
Return trip: D15, stroll around Urumqi city, buy specialties and souvenirs, and then take a flight back to your departure point.?
II. Precautions?
Xinjiang is vast, and the distances between attractions are far. It is recommended to rent a car or charter a car for a self-driving tour to flexibly arrange your itinerary.?
Xinjiang has a dry climate with intense ultraviolet rays, so it is necessary to take sunscreen and moisturizing measures.?
Some attractions, such as the Duku Highway, are open seasonally, so plan your itinerary in advance and pay attention to weather changes.?
Respect the local folk customs and religious beliefs to avoid unnecessary trouble.?
III. Food Recommendations?
During your trip in Xinjiang, don’t forget to taste the local cuisine such as mutton kebabs, big plate chicken, and hand-grabbed rice, allowing your taste buds to enjoy a journey as well.?
Through the above guide, you can fully experience Xinjiang’s natural scenery, folk customs, and culinary culture, making this 15-day self-guided tour of Xinjiang an unforgettable travel experience.?