What are the differences between Southern and Northern Xinjiang, and which one is worth visiting more?
Tourism inquiry phone number for Southern Xinjiang: 1813962-2229 (same as) 0991-8585456
Why is Xinjiang divided into Southern and Northern Xinjiang?
Because Xinjiang is huge! The vast territory of Xinjiang covers an area of about 1.66 million square kilometers, which is equal to 4 Japan, 7 Britain, or 9 Guangdong provinces. Therefore, traveling to Xinjiang is generally divided into a trip to Southern Xinjiang or Northern Xinjiang.
With the Tianshan Mountains as the boundary, the area north of the mountains is called Northern Xinjiang, and the area south of the mountains is called Southern Xinjiang. Although they both belong to Xinjiang, there are still some differences between them. Today, I will first take all the fans to see what the differences are and which one to choose for a trip to Xinjiang, Southern or Northern Xinjiang.
What does Northern Xinjiang have?
The fairyland on earth, Kanas, the hidden paradise of Hemu Village, the forbidden land of Ulhe, the grassland pearl of Sayram Lake, the region of Yili in the north of the border… It can be said that grasslands and lakes are all included. Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang, is also located in Northern Xinjiang, and relatively speaking, transportation in Northern Xinjiang is more convenient.
Affected by the blocking of the Tianshan Mountains, the rainfall in Northern Xinjiang is greater than that in Southern Xinjiang. Therefore, the humid climate of Northern Xinjiang has nurtured natural landscapes such as forests, grasslands, and lakes. Northern Xinjiang is suitable for tourism throughout the year: almond blossoms in spring, flowers blooming in Yili in summer, colorful Altay in autumn, and snow-covered Hemu in winter.
From the perspective of population distribution, Northern Xinjiang has Han, Uyghur, Hui, Kazakh, Xibo, Mongolian, and other ethnic groups, but the Han ethnic group accounts for a larger proportion.
What does Southern Xinjiang have?
The pearl of the Silk Road, Kashgar City, the heavenly road of the Pamir Plateau, the Sea of Death, the Taklamakan Desert… as well as the famous Korla pears, Aksu apples, Hetian jade…
Compared to Southern Xinjiang, the scenery tends to be magnificent, dominated by deserts and gobies, perfectly embodying the scene of "a lonely column of smoke rising from the vast desert". "Populus euphratica", "Loulan", "Lop Nur", and "the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions" are all labels of Southern Xinjiang, along with the ruins of the ancient Silk Road, giving Southern Xinjiang a strong cultural atmosphere.
Among the population living in Southern Xinjiang, Uyghurs are the majority, accounting for more than 80%, which gives Southern Xinjiang a strong exotic flavor.
As the saying goes, "Northern Xinjiang for scenery, Southern Xinjiang for customs". If you like beautiful scenery, Northern Xinjiang is recommended. Then you must visit the grasslands of Yili, such as the Nalati Aerial Grassland and the beautiful three-dimensional Karakun Grassland. If you like historic sites, you must visit Southern Xinjiang. Go to the desert to experience the "setting sun over the long river" and to the Silk Road to feel the sound of camel bells… Of course, if you like food, you can choose either Northern or Southern Xinjiang, as the cuisine of Xinjiang will never leave your stomach empty.
"Different strokes for different folks", some people love the colorful and magnificent Northern Xinjiang, while others prefer the vast and boundless deserts of Southern Xinjiang.