The choice of tourism in Xinjiang depends on personal preferences and travel time. Southern Xinjiang focuses on cultural landscapes and ethnic customs, while Northern Xinjiang focuses on natural scenery. Here is a detailed comparison of the tourism features of Southern and Northern Xinjiang:?
Tourism Features of Southern Xinjiang:?
Rich Cultural Landscapes: Southern Xinjiang is full of historical relics and ethnic customs, such as the Old Town of Kashgar, which is exotic and offers the best spot for enjoying the sunset.?
And the exotic old city architecture of Kashgar makes people feel like they have stepped into a living history book.?
Unique Natural Landscapes: Southern Xinjiang also has its unique natural landscapes, such as the Taklamakan Desert, the largest desert in China, where tourists can experience the vastness and grandeur of the desert.?
There are also the Pamir Plateau, the Mysterious Tian Shan Grand Canyon, Karakul Lake, etc., which are all excellent representatives of natural scenery.?
Best Travel Time: The peak tourist season in Southern Xinjiang is usually from August to October, when the weather begins to cool down and the fruits are ripe, making it a good time to experience the local flavor of Southern Xinjiang. Especially in October, the poplar forests in Southern Xinjiang start to display their autumn colors, which are very charming.?
Tourism Features of Northern Xinjiang:?
Beautiful Natural Scenery: Northern Xinjiang is a paradise for natural scenery, featuring magnificent mountains, clear lakes, vast grasslands, and lush forests. For instance, Kanas Lake, known as "the most beautiful lake in the world", offers different scenery in each season; and the Nalati Grassland, praised as "the Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze River) beyond the Great Wall", boasts primitive and charming landscapes.?
Rich Outdoor Activities: The natural environment of Northern Xinjiang is ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and photography. Summer (from June to August) is the peak tourist season in Northern Xinjiang, where tourists can go to Turpan to experience sand therapy or visit the grasslands of Yili to see the flower sea.?
Best Travel Time: The autumn in Northern Xinjiang (from September to October) is also very charming, especially the autumn scenery of Kanas and Hemu, which are praised as "God’s Own Land". Additionally, the spring season (from March to May) with blooming wildflowers on the grasslands is also a good time for tourism in Northern Xinjiang.?
Summary:?
Southern Xinjiang and Northern Xinjiang each have their unique charm, and the choice depends on one’s travel preferences and schedule. If you are more interested in historical relics and ethnic customs, then Southern Xinjiang may be more suitable for you; if you prefer natural scenery and outdoor activities, then Northern Xinjiang will be your best choice. No matter whether you choose Southern Xinjiang or Northern Xinjiang, the beautiful scenery and rich cultural history of Xinjiang await your exploration.?