The Northern Xinjiang tourist route is full of natural beauty and cultural customs. Here is a detailed introduction to Northern Xinjiang tourism:
The core highlights of Northern Xinjiang tourism include vast natural scenery and rich cultural experiences. Northern Xinjiang, like vivid fairy tale paintings, boasts vast grasslands, dense forests, majestic snow-capped mountains, clear lakes, and dazzling flower fields.
In the Ili region, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons; Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture allows you to deeply experience Mongolian culture and customs; Altay region is a winter paradise with skiing and snow scenery like a dream; Tacheng region is an undiscovered secret spot representing nature and tranquility.
For specific travel planning, multiple itinerary arrangements can be selected. For example, a 13-day adventure tour starting from Urumqi, crossing the S21 Desert Highway, passing through the Gurbantunggut Desert, and visiting famous attractions such as Keketuhei, Kanas Lake, and the魔鬼城 (Ghost City).
Or choose an 8-day loop self-drive tour focusing on the natural scenery of Hemu Village, Kanas, Sayram Lake, and Nalati.
There is also a comprehensive 11-day, 10-night itinerary covering multiple cities and attractions such as Urumqi, Karamay, and Kanas, providing a richer experience.
Kanas Lake is a must-visit attraction on the Northern route. It is known as the ‘Pearl of the Sky’ with its ever-changing lake colors, accompanied by snow-capped mountains and grasslands, making it mysterious and beautiful.
Additionally, Hemu Village is a must-see scenic spot with breathtaking views throughout the year, especially with morning mist hovering over it.
Other attractions like Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, and Keketuhei are also worth visiting.
Besides natural scenery, the Northern Xinjiang route also boasts a rich food culture. During your trip on the Northern route, you can taste Xinjiang’s specialty dishes like hand-grabbed mutton, fried noodles, mixed noodles, and mutton kebabs. In the Grand Bazaar of Urumqi, there are many snack stalls where you can stroll and taste various foods at the same time.
In the Tacheng and Altay regions, you can also taste authentic Kazakh cuisine, such as Nalbashi and butter tea.
In general, the Northern Xinjiang tourist route is full of charm and surprises. Whether it’s natural scenery or cultural customs, it’s captivating and makes people forget to leave. If you plan to travel to Xinjiang, consider taking this charming Northern route.