Tourism in Xinjiang’s four seasons each has its own characteristics, with each season offering unique scenery and experiences: flower appreciation and skiing in spring, self-driving adventures in summer, leaf viewing and forest appreciation in autumn, and snow and ice appreciation in winter. Below is a detailed introduction to tourism in Xinjiang’s four seasons:?
Spring (March to May)?
March to April: The wild lilies of Yili break through the ice, the apricot blossoms of Southern Xinjiang bloom, and the Flaming Mountain of Turpan also exhibits a unique charm. Spring in Xinjiang is full of vitality and hope, and is a great time for flower appreciation.?
May: You can avoid the peak tourist season and enjoy the lavender fields of Northern Xinjiang, the secret realm of Kuerdening, the grasslands of Nalati, and the snowy forests of Xiata, among other unique scenery.?
Summer (June to August)?
Summer is the best time for outdoor activities in Xinjiang, with both Northern and Southern Xinjiang offering abundant attractions for tourists to explore. At this time, popular highways such as the Duku Highway and the Yizhao Highway are also open, becoming a paradise for self-driving tour enthusiasts.?
The Duku Highway opens early on June 1st each year and closes later on October 10th. With a total length of 561 kilometers, it boasts a fantastical scenery of "ten li (a traditional Chinese unit of length) with different skies, and four seasons in one day", attracting a large number of self-driving tour enthusiasts.?
Autumn (September to October)?
Autumn is an absolutely beautiful season in Xinjiang, with the golden autumn scenery of Kanas and the Populus euphratica forests of Southern Xinjiang being must-see attractions. At this time, Xinjiang’s autumn scenery is picturesque, making it a great destination for photography and enjoying the autumn views.?
Winter (November to February of the following year)?
The snowy landscapes of Northern Xinjiang are picturesque, and activities such as skiing and making snowmen are popular among tourists. The blue ice wonders of Sayram Lake, the snowy plains of Yili, and the glaciers and snowy mountains of Southern Xinjiang are all unique winter experiences in Xinjiang.?
In general, Xinjiang offers distinctive tourism experiences in each of its four seasons, and visitors can enjoy different scenery and experiences regardless of which season they visit. When planning your itinerary, you can choose the most suitable season based on your interests and time.?