The best tourist routes in Xinjiang include multiple classic routes such as the Kanas Ring Road, Yili Ring Road, Kanas-Yili Ring Road, Northern Xinjiang Grand Ring Road, and Southern Xinjiang Grand Ring Road.?
Kanas Ring Road: This route mainly explores the Altay Region and usually takes 5-7 days. Major attractions include Kanas, Hemu, Koktokay, and the Ghost City, each like a fairyland. The best travel time is from September to October, when the autumn colors are rich and the scenery is picturesque.?
Yili Ring Road: This route explores the Yili River Valley enclosed by the Tianshan Mountains and takes 6-10 days. Along the way, attractions include Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, and Xiata Ancient Road. It is suitable for travel from May to August, when the grasslands and flower seas are in full bloom, creating a breathtaking view.?
Kanas-Yili Ring Road: This is a combination of the ‘Kanas Ring Road + Yili Ring Road’, usually requiring 11-13 days. This route covers the most exquisite natural scenery of northern Xinjiang and is suitable for travel from May to October.?
Northern Xinjiang Grand Ring Road: A route for self-driving around the entire northern Xinjiang, which takes 13-17 days. Besides scenic spots such as Kanas and Hemu, it also includes desert and Gobi landscapes in the eastern Xinjiang areas of Turpan, Hejing, and Hami. The best travel time is from May to November.?
Southern Xinjiang Grand Ring Road: It faces the Northern Xinjiang Grand Ring Road across the Tianshan Mountains and focuses on experiencing cultural customs. It mainly passes through places such as the Taklamakan Desert, the Pamir Plateau, and the Kunlun Mountains. The best travel season is from September to November and March to May.?
In addition, there are classic self-driving routes such as the Southern Xinjiang Little Ring Road, the Xinjiang Grand Ring Road, and the Duku Highway, each with its unique scenery and charm.?
. Tourists can choose suitable routes for their trips according to their own schedules and preferences.?