The travel guide for a self-guided tour of Northern Xinjiang mainly includes the best travel time, must-visit attractions, and detailed itinerary arrangements.
Best Travel Time: The best travel time for Northern Xinjiang is mainly from May to October. During this time, the natural scenery of Xinjiang is most enchanting, and you can have an excellent visual experience whether admiring grasslands, lakes, or snow-capped mountains. Especially from September to October, autumn in Xinjiang is like a palette knocked over by nature, colorful and a paradise for photographers.
Must-Visit Attractions:
Kanas Scenic Area: Located in the Altai Mountains, it is called "the God’s Backyard". Here there are mountains, lakes, and forests, with scenery as beautiful as a painting throughout the four seasons, especially in autumn, when the scenery of the Three Bays (Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay) is superb.
Sayram Lake: Known as "the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean", the lake water is clear and is an excellent spot to admire the lake and mountain scenery.
Nalati Grasslands: Meaning "the place where the sun is", the flower sea in June is intoxicating and is a great place to enjoy the grasslands.
Duku Highway: This highway connects snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, and other landscapes, and is known as the "Most Beautiful Highway in China", making it a top choice for self-driving enthusiasts.
Detailed Itinerary Arrangement:
Here is an example of an 8-day self-guided tour itinerary for Northern Xinjiang:
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi, explore Tianshan Tianchi, and then head to the Gurbantünggüt Desert to admire the desert scenery.
Day 2: Visit Colorful Beach to admire the Yadan landform at sunset, then head to Burqin.
Day 3: From Burqin to Kanas, admire the beauty of Kanas Lake and feel the magical charm of nature.
Day 4: Head to Hemu Village to experience the tranquility of the primitive village and stay in a log cabin.
Day 5: From Hemu to Ghost City, feel the wonders of nature and admire the unique landform landscapes.
Day 6: Take the Duku Highway to Bayinbrook and experience the changing seasons while enjoying the grassland scenery.
Day 7: Head to Nalati Grasslands, take photos, and admire the vast lavender fields.
Day 8: Depart from Yining and head to Sayram Lake, then return to Urumqi to end your pleasant journey.
In addition, you can choose other attractions and routes to visit according to your personal preferences and schedule, such as Keketohai National Geological Park and Baihaba Village.
During your trip, be sure to taste the local cuisine, such as roast whole lamb and hand-grabbed rice, to experience the unique dietary culture of Xinjiang.
I hope this travel guide for a self-guided tour of Northern Xinjiang can help you better plan your itinerary and fully enjoy the charm of this land.