Visiting Xinjiang at the end of July is an excellent choice. At this time, Xinjiang’s climate is pleasant, and the scenery is enchanting, offering both magnificent natural landscapes and rich ethnic cultural experiences. Here are some recommended travel destinations and activities:?
Kanas Scenic Area:?
Kanas Lake is known as ‘God’s Back Garden’. At the end of July, Kanas is a sea of green, with the lake water blending with the snow-capped mountains, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.?
You can take a boat to get close to the lake water and feel its clarity and tranquility, or hike through the forest to visit the villages of the Tuvas and experience their rich ethnic customs.?
Nalati Grassland:?
Nalati Grassland is known as the ‘Eastern Switzerland’. At the end of July, the grassland is greener, and the flowers are still blooming everywhere, making it a paradise for horse riding, herding, and picnicking.?
You can camp on the grassland, watch the starry sky, and experience the traditional culture and cuisine of the Kazakhs.?
Sayram Lake:?
Sayram Lake is known as ‘the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean’. The lake water is clear and blue, surrounding the lake for 90 kilometers, making it suitable for a leisurely visit to enjoy the scenery.?
The lake and mountain scenery are breathtakingly beautiful, making it a great place for photography and relaxation.?
Tianshan Tianchi:?
Tianshan Tianchi is located at the foot of Bogda Peak in the middle section of the Tianshan Mountains. The lake water is green and clear, resembling a huge emerald embedded in the valley.?
Surrounded by mountains and with fresh air, it is an ideal place to escape the summer heat. You can take a boat ride on the lake or hike up the mountains to explore the mysterious primitive forests and alpine meadows.?
Duku Highway:?
The Duku Highway is known as the ‘landscape avenue running through the backbone of the Tianshan Mountains’, offering views of snow-capped mountains, lakes, valleys, grasslands, and other natural landscapes along the way.?
Excellent for self-driving experiences, it is a paradise for adventure and photography enthusiasts.?
Other recommended attractions:?
Bayanbulak Grassland: Meaning ‘never-drying spring’, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the grassland scenery is worth visiting.?
Colorful Beach: A national 4A scenic area, it displays various colors due to different minerals and is a great place to watch the sunset.?
Turpan Flaming Mountain: Although the surface temperature is high in summer, it is rich in geological wonders and historical and cultural relics, making it worth exploring.?
In addition, Xinjiang’s cuisine is also a major highlight, such as big plate chicken, naan wrapped in meat, hand-grabbed rice, mutton kebabs, and grilled lamb chops, all of which are delicious treats that should not be missed.?
During the trip, you also need to pay attention to sun protection, bring a jacket (because of the large temperature difference between day and night), and adjust to the time difference as part of your preparations.?
In summary, visiting Xinjiang at the end of July, whether for natural scenery or ethnic cultural experiences, will leave you captivated and reluctant to leave.?