The following are recommended travel tips for Northern Xinjiang in August:
August is the golden period for visiting Northern Xinjiang, with moderate temperatures and lush grasslands, making it an excellent time to enjoy natural scenery and experience ethnic culture.
I. Recommended Attractions
Kanas Lake Scenic Area: Located in the Altai Mountains, the lake water is clear and the scenery is charming. In August, Kanas Lake is like a mirror, reflecting the surrounding snow-capped mountains and forests, like a fairyland. You can climb up to the Fish Viewing Terrace to overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire Kanas Lake, or walk along the栈道 near the lake to feel the tranquility and harmony of nature up close.
Sayram Lake: Known as the
Nalati Grassland: Located in the hinterland of the Yili River Valley, the grass on Nalati Grassland in August is green and fragrant, with flowers blooming all around. It is like a stunning painting. You can walk on the grassland here, admire the beautiful scenery of the Tianshan snow-capped mountains and blue sky with white clouds, or participate in horse riding, herding, and other grassland activities.
Colorful Beach: A river separates the two banks, with colorful landscapes, as if you are in a fairy tale world. The unique landforms and rich colors here will bring you a different visual experience.
Duku Highway: This is a scenic highway running north and south through the Tianshan Mountains, with continuous gobi deserts, snowy mountains, lakes, alpine meadows, and other wonders along the way. Although it is only open for four months a year, August is the best time to visit.
II. Travel Itinerary Planning Suggestions
Urumqi: As the gateway to Northern Xinjiang, you can take a short stay in Urumqi first to adapt to the plateau environment and taste local cuisine such as mutton kebabs and big plate chicken.
Kanas-Hemu-Sayram Lake: This is a classic tourism route in Northern Xinjiang. You can depart from Urumqi and visit Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, and Sayram Lake in sequence to experience the unique charm of different scenic spots.
Nalati-Bayinbrook: If you have a special preference for grassland scenery, then Nalati and Bayinbrook will be your best choices. You can enjoy the vastness and beauty of the grasslands here.
Turpan: Although Turpan is located in Southern Xinjiang, if you are interested in history and culture, you may take time to visit. You can visit historical sites such as Jiaohe Ancient City and Beziklik Thousand Buddha Caves to feel the long history and splendid culture of Xinjiang.
III. Precautions
Sun protection: The sunlight in Northern Xinjiang is intense in August with high ultraviolet rays, so please be sure to take sun protection measures.
Warm clothing: Due to the large temperature difference between morning and night in Northern Xinjiang, it is recommended to bring some warm clothing for unexpected needs.
Safety: Please abide by the regulations of the scenic areas during the tour and pay attention to safety. Especially when hiking or participating in outdoor activities, always stay alert.
Hope this August travel guide to Northern Xinjiang can provide useful reference for your trip to Xinjiang!