The best way to travel in Xinjiang is to plan your itinerary based on the seasons and regional characteristics, deeply experiencing the cultural customs of southern Xinjiang and the natural landscapes of northern Xinjiang.?
Firstly, choose your travel time based on the seasons. The golden period for visiting Xinjiang is from May to October. From May to June, the grasslands in the Ili region are lush and wildflowers bloom in competition, making it an excellent time to appreciate natural scenery; from July to August, temperatures rise throughout Xinjiang, and fruits and melons ripen, making it the peak season for visiting northern Xinjiang scenic areas such as Kanas and Hemu; from September to October, autumn in Xinjiang is colorful, with the trees in Kanas and poplar forests displaying a charming golden hue, making it a paradise for photographers.?
Secondly, plan your itinerary based on regional characteristics. Xinjiang is divided into southern Xinjiang and northern Xinjiang by the Tianshan Mountains. Southern Xinjiang mainly offers cultural customs such as deserts, Gobi, poplar forests, ancient cities, and ethnic customs, which are mainly reflected in human history and are basically not affected by the seasons.?
Northern Xinjiang mainly offers natural landscapes such as mountains, valleys, forests, and Yadan landforms, which display different features according to the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.?
Specifically, the Kanas scenic area in northern Xinjiang is known as the ‘God’s Backyard’, picturesque throughout the four seasons, especially in autumn, when the scenery of the Three Bays (Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay) is superb; Hemu Village is known as ‘God’s Private Reserve’, a small village full of primitive atmosphere where you can experience traditional Tuwa culture; Sayram Lake is the highest and largest alpine lake in Xinjiang, known as ‘The Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean’, with azure water surrounded by vast grasslands and snow-capped mountains.?
The ancient city of Kashgar in southern Xinjiang is the only labyrinthine urban neighborhood in China characterized by Islamic culture, allowing you to deeply understand the local history and culture.?
In addition, you can also try some special travel experiences, such as crossing the Hami Dahaitu in Xinjiang, which is an uninhabited area and the only place where crossing is legal. The best seasons are spring and autumn.?
During the trip, you might as well open your arms to embrace nature and have a close encounter with the beautiful scenery, feeling the magnificence and unrestrained spirit of Xinjiang.?
Meanwhile, safety should also be taken into consideration, especially when traveling in uninhabited and remote areas. Adequate preparations and precautions should be made.?
In summary, the best way to travel in Xinjiang is to plan your itinerary based on the seasons and regional characteristics, deeply experiencing the cultural customs of southern Xinjiang and the natural landscapes of northern Xinjiang, while also trying some special travel experiences and paying attention to travel safety.?