Is it better to travel to Southern Xinjiang or Northern Xinjiang in Xinjiang?
If you just want to see scenery, go to Northern Xinjiang; Southern Xinjiang is mainly for experiencing its human landscapes.
Three obvious differences between Northern and Southern Xinjiang
1. Differences in climate
Northern Xinjiang, north of the Tianshan Mountains, is relatively humid due to the influence of the warm and wet air currents from Siberia, with slightly more rainfall; Southern Xinjiang, south of the Tianshan Mountains, is relatively arid due to the towering Tianshan Mountains blocking the warm and wet air currents from entering. Therefore, the climate is relatively dry, and rainfall is scarce.
Xinjiang travel guide | Differences between Northern and Southern Xinjiang and recommended ways to play
Xinjiang travel guide | Differences between Northern and Southern Xinjiang and recommended ways to play
2. Differences in landscape characteristics
Due to obvious climatic differences, there are huge differences in the landscape characteristics between Northern and Southern Xinjiang: Northern Xinjiang has a humid climate, which has nurtured a large number of natural landscapes such as forests, grasslands, and lakes. Famous attractions include the Kanas Lake tourist area and the Yili Grassland tourist area; while Southern Xinjiang has a dry climate, and its natural landscapes are dominated by deserts, plateaus, and poplar forests. The religious sites and ancient cities and beacon towers left over from the Silk Road more than a thousand years ago have also been preserved due to the dry climate, becoming an important part of the human landscapes of Southern Xinjiang. Therefore, it can be said that the landscapes of Northern Xinjiang are mainly natural, while the landscapes of Southern Xinjiang are a combination of natural and human landscapes.
3. Differences in travel methods
The natural landscapes of Northern Xinjiang, such as Kanas Lake and Yili Grassland, are relatively mature and well-developed due to earlier tourism development. Various transportation modes are relatively convenient, with airplanes, trains, and highways directly reaching the scenic areas, all relatively convenient; the tourism development in Southern Xinjiang is relatively late and backward compared to Northern Xinjiang. Tourists either choose chartered car tours or self-guided tours.
Kanas tourist season, Kanas Hemu Village, Kanas travel guide, June and September. What attractions does Kanas have? When is the best time to visit Kanas? The sea of flowers in June and the golden autumn in September are the highlights of Kanas. In June, Kanas is bursting with spring vitality, with endless greenery that makes people hesitate to leave; after a short summer, the golden September of Kanas arrives, which can be described as a forest painted in layers of colors. Kanas is located in the Altay Prefecture in northern Xinjiang, and it is a comprehensive scenic area integrating glaciers, lakes, forests, grasslands, pastures, rivers, ethnic customs, and rare animals and plants. It is known as the "Eastern Switzerland, Photographer’s Paradise". "Kanas" is a Mongolian term meaning "beautiful and fertile, mysterious and unpredictable". The beautiful Kanas Lake has equally charming scenery. It is indeed a beautiful sight, and mid-September is the best season to visit. Here, the spectacular glaciers contrast with the tranquil lake water, and the vast grasslands embrace the deep primitive forest. What attractions does Kanas have?
Kanas Hemu
Kanas tourist season: June and September. The sea of flowers in June and the golden autumn in September are the hallmarks of Kanas. In June, Kanas is full of spring vigor, with boundless greenery that makes people reluctant to leave. After a short summer, Kanas welcomes its golden September, which can be described as a forest with every tree colored. The winter in Kanas, with the lake frozen, is equally fascinating. Kanas offers winter tourism programs (from October 10th to May 10th of the next year), not only waiving some ticket fees but also allowing visitors to experience "horse-drawn sleighs." Every winter, there is also a Winter Photography Tourism Festival.
Moon Bay tourist season: June and September. In June, visitors can see a sea of flowers, and in September, they can enjoy the golden autumn. From spring to autumn, from morning to evening, under different climatic conditions and lighting, the water and moon continuously change their mysterious and charming appearance, providing inexhaustible fascinating scenes for photographers. Shenxianwan tourist season: June and September. Under sunlight, the river glistens, and even the leaves on the trees sway and sparkle in the wind, seemingly as if countless pearls are scattered at will. Coupled with the frequent misty surroundings here, it is transcendent, dreamlike, and makes people feel like they are in a fairyland.
Kanas Hemu
Jadengyu tourist season: June and September. It boasts dense forests, vast grasslands, and winding mountains. The blue sky, white clouds, forests, and grasslands blend together to form a typical natural scenery of Xinjiang. In the low mountain and valley areas below an altitude of 1,500 meters, the terrain is narrow and steep, with cliffs, deep valleys, rapids, gorges, rivers, and green trees intertwining to form picturesque corridors. Wolongwan tourist season: June and September. On both sides of the river bend, lush forests thrive, with towering ancient trees. The slopes are covered with coniferous and broad-leaved primitive forests, and above the forests are layered and towering peaks. The peninsula-shaped platforms on the east and west banks of the river bend are open and flat green lawns with wildflowers everywhere, and cows and sheep are grazing amidst the flowers, presenting a lively scene. Guanyu Pavilion tourist season: June and September. Climbing up to Guanyu Pavilion allows visitors to view the overall beauty of Kanas Lake. From here, one can have a bird’s-eye view of Kanas Lake, with three-quarters of the lake visible. The lake surface is as smooth as silk, resembling a colorful jade inlaid between the valleys and winding downstream along the valley, with sparkling waves and a fairy-tale-like hue.
Kanas Hemu
Hemu Grassland tourist season: June and September. The slopes are covered with green grass, flowers are blooming in full splendor, fragrances are wafting in the air, bees are collecting nectar from flowers, and cows and sheep are grazing joyfully all over the mountains, presenting a charming and vast grassland scenery. Tuwa Village tourist season: all seasons are suitable. There are more than 100 households and over 1,400 people living in Tuwa Village. The Tuwas mostly live in tower-shaped wooden houses built with pine wood. This type of building is called a "wooden log cabin," with all four walls built with logs, a ceiling, a floor, and a pointed, sloping roof to adapt to the mountainous environment with plenty of rain and snow.
Friendship Peak Tourism Season: All Seasons. Friendship Peak is located 56 kilometers north of Kanas Lake, with an altitude of 4,374 meters. It is the peak of the Altay Mountains within China. The glaciers here are magnificent, with snow-capped mountains undulating and sparkling, resembling "silvery snakes dancing in the mountains". To appreciate the beauty of Friendship Peak, visit the Fish Viewing Platform beside Kanas Lake. From here, you can overlook the snow-covered peaks shrouded in mist, like a fairyland.
Kanas Tourism
Kanas Lake Tourism Season: June and September. The river section from the outlet at the southern end of Kanas Lake to Yaze Lake is dotted with boulders, with rapid currents and splashing waves. From Yaze Lake to Wolong Bay, the river is wide and slow-moving, with lush green grass on the riverbank and lush forests on both sides. Yaze Lake Tourism Season: June and September. Yaze Lake is located south of Kanas Village within the Hemu Kanas Mongolian Township. It is composed of an abandoned river section (oxbow lake depression) after the diversion of the Kanas River, forming a wide and shallow lake running north-south along the southern end of the depression, resembling a butterfly-shaped stretch of clear water connected to marsh wetlands. Hundred Flowers Garden Tourism Season: Summer. The Hundred Flowers Garden is located on the west bank of Kanas Lake, 5 kilometers from Kanas Village, belonging to a typical montane forest meadow grassland. Every summer, it turns into a world of green and a sea of flowers.
Kanas Hemu
Tuojing Bay Tourism Season: Summer. Tuojing Bay is the first major attraction entering the Kanas Lake area, named after its resemblance to a camel’s neck. The bay is tranquil and clear, with dense forests on both banks and beautiful mountain scenery, offering outstanding natural scenery. Baihu Lake Tourism Season: All Seasons. Baihu Lake is located at the foot of Friendship Peak in the Altay Mountains in the northeast of Kanas Lake. You can take a boat to the head of Kanas Lake and then ride a horse for about 30 kilometers to reach it. The lake surface is as flat as a mirror, surrounded by towering peaks, glaciers dressed in white snow, colorful meadows, and floating clouds, with colors changing instantly.
Colorful River Tourism Season: All Seasons. The Colorful River is located about 24 kilometers north of Burqin County. The river here is gentle and open, with a suspension bridge spanning the water, creating a spectacular scene. The east bank of the river is characterized by colorful and unique lava landforms composed of purple-red, earthy red, light yellow, and light green mudstone, sandstone, and gravel, resembling ancient castles, monsters, and beehives.
Kanas Tourism
Taiga Corridor Tourism Season: Summer and Autumn. The Taiga Corridor is 4.5km long, condensing the essence of the Siberian Taiga. The corridor faces the sparkling Kanas Lake to the west and leans against majestic mountains to the east. Along the way, the winding path leads to a secluded place with towering trees and hanging usnea. You can enjoy typical attractions such as Taiga Marsh, King of the Taiga, and Giant Root Sculpture Wall.
Dianjiangtai Tourism Season: Summer and Autumn. Dianjiangtai is located near the east of Yaze Lake. It is said that Genghis Khan once reviewed his hundred thousand troops here. Hemu Bridge Tourism Season: Best in Summer and Autumn. The best time here should be the moment when the setting sun casts a golden glow over it. After crossing the Hemu Bridge, there is a large area of birch forest on the other side of the river. Coming here at sunset, you can see the birch leaves reflecting sunlight neatly.
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456