Recommended internet-famous attractions in Xinjiang, essential travel guide for visiting Xinjiang
Have you been to Xinjiang? Do you know which fun tourist attractions there are for traveling in Xinjiang? Below is an introduction for friends who want to visit Xinjiang about which attractions are a must-visit. (Same)
Which attractions are a must-visit when traveling to Xinjiang: 1. Flaming Mountain – The City of Fire
The ‘Eight Hundred Li Flaming Mountain’ mentioned in ‘Journey to the West’ is here. Locals call the Flaming Mountain ‘Red Mountain’, which is composed of medium-red sand, conglomerate, and mudstone. Every summer, the intense sunlight shines on the red mountain, creating rolling waves of heat.
Which attractions are a must-visit when traveling to Xinjiang: 2. Balikun Grassland – Located in a basin
Driving along National Highway 312 on the Silk Road into Xinjiang, the first destination is the Hami region, yes, the place where Hami melons are produced. Balikun Grassland is located in Hami. It is not as vast as the Inner Mongolia Grassland, but sits in a basin surrounded by continuous mountain peaks.
Which attractions are a must-visit when traveling to Xinjiang: 3. International Bazaar—you can buy all kinds of local specialties from Xinjiang here
Xinjiang International Bazaar is located in Tianshan District, Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It was completed on June 26, 2003. It is the world’s largest bazaar (in Uyghur, meaning market or farmers’ market), integrating culture, architecture, ethnic commerce, entertainment, and dining. It is the gathering and exhibition center for tourism products in Xinjiang and is the ‘Window of Xinjiang’, ‘Window of Central Asia’, and ‘Window of the World’.
Which attractions are a must-visit when traveling to Xinjiang: 4. Tianchi Lake—’The Pearl of Mount Tianshan’
Tianchi Lake in Mount Tianshan is a World Natural Heritage site, a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, a national geological park, a national key scenic spot, a national civilized scenic tourist area, an international man and biosphere reserve, a top tourist destination in China, one of China’s top ten scenic spots for resource conservation, and one of China’s top ten charming leisure and tourist lakes.
Which attractions are a must-visit when traveling to Xinjiang: 5. Kumtag Desert
Kumtag Desert is located on the eastern edge of the Turpan Basin in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, south of Shanshan County, and 280 kilometers away from the capital Urumqi. It is 90 kilometers west of Turpan, a famous tourist city in China. The scenic area stretches 62 kilometers east to west and 40 kilometers north to south, covering a desert area of 1,880 square kilometers. It is the desert closest to a city in the world and one of the three national key scenic spots in Xinjiang, along with Tianchi Lake and Bosten Lake.
Which attractions are a must-visit when traveling to Xinjiang: 6. Kanas Lake—Eastern Switzerland
There are countless beautiful scenery in Xinjiang. If one has to choose where is the most beautiful, many people would choose Kanas Lake. Kanas is called the ‘Eastern Switzerland’ because of its special geographical location, which resembles the vegetation landscape of the European Alps, with different plant communities having distinct layers and colors.
Which attractions are a must-visit when traveling to Xinjiang: 7. Nalati Grassland 0991-8585456
There are many grasslands along the Ili River, among which the famous one is the Nalati Grassland. At the same time, Nalati Grassland is also a well-developed grassland suitable for tourism, with thousands of tourists staying there every day. The grass on Nalati Grassland is more than half a meter tall. It rains more locally, so the cattle and sheep there are fatter. Historically, Nalati Grassland was known as the ‘Deer Park’, and it is also called the ‘Aerial Grassland’ due to its high altitude.
Which attractions are a must-visit when traveling to Xinjiang: 8. Sayram Lake—you can see the lakebed 10 meters below the surface
Some people compare Sayram Lake in Xinjiang with Namtso Lake in Tibet, because Sayram Lake is also a high-mountain lake, and it is a high-altitude, large-area cold-water lake in Xinjiang. Sayram Lake is known as the ‘Pure Sea’, and you can see the lakebed 10 meters below the surface. The best time to appreciate the beauty of Sayram Lake is between spring and summer, when the lakeside is covered with alpine wildflowers. Every July, local Mongolians hold a traditional ‘Nadam’ festival on the grassland by the lake.
A must-book tour route when visiting Xinjiang
【Southern Xinjiang Carpooling】Lop Nur Village, Tarim Populus Euphratica, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Thousand Buddha Caves, Pamir Plateau, Kashgar Old Town 6-day carpooling tour – Click to view itinerary
Itinerary Highlights:
1. 【Young Companions】: Designed specifically for post-80s, 90s, and 00s generations, young enough to go high;
2. 【Carpooling Travel】: The super popular group carpooling tour, starting from 1 person and up to 6 people;
3. 【Folk Customs】: Meet the ancient Lop Nur people, enthusiastic Uyghurs, and highland Tajiks, each with their own unique charm;
4. 【Western Regions Scenery】: Gobi desert, resilient Populus Euphratica, Tianshan Mystic Grand Canyon, and Mount Mushtag, presenting a desolate yet magnificent landscape;
5. 【Cultural Odyssey】: Explore Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Fragrant Concubine Tomb, Kashgar Old Town, and Id Kah Mosque;
6. 【Gourmet Experience】: Enjoy authentic Xinjiang cuisine at your own pace, including naan, kebabs, pilaf, baked stuffed buns, and pigeon soup;
7. 【Flexible Return】: Arrange your own return trip after disbanding in Kashgar, saving the 1,500 km bumpy ride;
Package
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
Car + Room + Entrance Fee
3220
3260
3460
3460
3460
3660
3660
Single room supplement
500
540
640
640
640
660
660
————————————– Simplified Itinerary————————————
Day 1: Urumqi – Lop Nur Village – Korla (Overnight: Korla City)
Day 2: Korla – Populus Euphratica Forest Park – Kuqa (Overnight: Kuqa)
Day 3: Kuqa – Tianshan Mystic Grand Canyon – Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves – Aksu (Overnight: Aksu)
Day 4: Aksu – Fragrant Concubine Tomb – Kashgar (Overnight: Kashgar City)
Day 5: Kashgar – Pamir Plateau – Mount Mushtag – Karakul Lake – Kashgar (Overnight: Kashgar City)
Day 6: Kashgar – Kashgar Old Town – Id Kah Mosque – Group Disbands
Yili Carpooling Tour Route:
[Yili Scenery] Sayram Lake, Lavender, Bagua City, Karajun, Nalati, Bayanbulak, Duku Highway 5-Day Shared Car Tour – Click to view itinerary
Itinerary Highlights:
1. [Young Group]: Designed specifically for the post-80s, 90s, and 00s generations, young enough to go high;
2. [Grassland Atmosphere]: The magnificent grassland scenery of Yili region, featuring three 5A-rated grassland scenic areas – Karajun, Nalati, and Bayanbulak;
3. [Photo Taking]: Photo opportunities at Sayram Lake, Lavender Fields, Bagua City, Karajun, and Duku Highway;
4. [Duku Highway]: Tianshan Duku Highway, magnificent scenery, four seasons in one day, the road of heroes;
5. [Shared Car Travel]: Super popular group carpooling travel, minimum 1 person, maximum 6 people;
Package Details:
Package
May
June
July
August
September
Car + Room + Entrance Fee
1980
2680
3080
3280
3280
Single room supplement
440
540
680
740
740
——————————————Simplified Itinerary—————————————
Day 1: Urumqi – Sayram Lake – Guozigou Bridge – Qingshuihe. Accommodation: Qingshuihe
Day 2: Qingshuihe – Lavender Field – Kazanqi Folk Customs Street – Tekes (Bagua City). Accommodation: Tekes
Day 3: Tekes – Karajun or Koksu Canyon – Xinyuan County. Accommodation: Xinyuan County
Day 4: Xinyuan – Nalati Aerial Grassland – Bayanbulak Grassland. Accommodation: Bayanbulak Town
Day 5: Bayanbulak – Duku Highway – Urumqi. Group Disbands
Kanas Shared Car Tour in Xinjiang
[Kanas-Hemu] Kanas, Hemu, Fish-Viewing Terrace, Colorful Beach, Devil’s City 5-Day Carpooling Tour — Click to Enter
Itinerary Highlights:
1. [Young Group]: Designed specifically for the post-80s, 90s, and 00s generations, young enough to go high;
2. [Flexible Time]: Truly enjoy Kanas, stay overnight in Kanas and Hemu scenic areas, saving queuing time, stay up to 24 hours within the scenic areas;
3. [Photo Opportunities]: Selected landmarks for photo taking – Devil’s City, Colorful Beach, Kanas, Fish Viewing Terrace, Hemu Village, fulfilling your photography needs;
4. [Carpooling Tours]: Super popular group carpooling tours, starting from 1 person, up to 6 people;
5. [Complimentary Horse Riding]: Complimentary horse riding experience during the trip, feel the nomadic culture;
6. [Flexible Return]: Option to leave the group by train on the fourth night, saving 600 km of bumpy ride;
Package Details:
Package
May
June
July
August
September
October
Car + Room + Entrance Fee
1990
2490
2990
3390
3790
3790
Single room supplement
320
520
820
1020
1120
1120
——————————————Simplified Itinerary—————————————
Day 1: Urumqi – Devil’s City – Colorful Beach – Burqin. Accommodation: Burqin
Day 2: Burqin – Kanas – Fish Viewing Terrace – Kanas. Accommodation: Kanas Scenic Area
Day 3: Kanas – Shenxian Bay – Moon Bay – Wolong Bay – Hemu Accommodation: Hemu Scenic Area
Day 4: Hemu – Beitun Accommodation: Beitun
Day 5: Beitun – Colorful Bay – Urumqi
Carpooling Routes Around Urumqi, Xinjiang
[Touring East Tianshan] Tianchi, Wolf Valley, Jiangbulake, Muxian Highway, Kumtag Desert, Tuyugou, Grape Valley 3-Day Carpooling Tour — Click to Enter
Itinerary Highlights:
1. [Young Group]: Designed specifically for the post-80s, 90s, and 00s generations, young enough to go high;
2. [Golden Route]: Touring East Tianshan with diverse scenery, including Tianshan Tianchi, Wolf Valley, Kumtag Desert, Tuyugou, and Grape Valley;
3. [Wolf Base]: Experience the aura of fierce beasts up close, thrilling and exciting;
3. [Muxian Highway]: Crossing the Muxian Highway without backtracking;
4. [Carpooling Tours]: Super popular group carpooling tours, starting from 1 person, up to 6 people;
Package
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Car + Room + Entrance Fee
950
950
1550
1750
1750
1750
1550
1250
1250
Single room supplement
150
150
300
350
350
350
300
150
150
——————————————Simplified Itinerary————————————–
D1: Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Wolf Valley – Jimsar Accommodation: Jimsar County
D2: Jimsar – Jiangbulake – Muxian Highway – Kumtag Desert – Shanshan Accommodation: Shanshan County
D3: Shanshan – Tuyugou – Grape Valley – Turpan – Urumqi
Carpooling: More flexible travel time
Recommended Routes — Detailed Itinerary:
[Seven Days Enjoying Northern Xinjiang] Kanas, Hemu + Yili, Nalati Duku Highway 7-Day Carpooling Tour — Click to Enter
[Kanas-Hemu] Kanas, Hemu, Fish-Viewing Terrace, Colorful Beach, Devil’s City 5-Day Carpooling Tour — Click to Enter
[Yicheng Mountains and Waters] Duku Highway 5-Day Carpooling Tour — Click to Enter
[South Xinjiang Carpooling] Lop Nur Village, Tarim Poplar Forest, Pamir Plateau, 6-Day Carpooling Tour — Click to Enter
Recommendation Index: ★★★★
The carpooling tours mentioned here are carpooling products offered by travel agencies, not carpooling self-drive tours organized privately by tourists!
If you choose to carpool for your trip, the route is fixed. You can select carpooling routes that interest you. Recommended professional customization: Xiao Guo