The Xinjiang summer self-guided tour guide mainly includes the best travel time, must-visit attractions, and route recommendations.
Best Travel Time:
Xinjiang is vast, and the best travel times vary in different regions. But overall, summer (June to August) is a popular time to visit Xinjiang. At this time, the temperature rises across Xinjiang, and fruits and melons ripen, making it a good season to taste local delicacies. Meanwhile, it is also the peak season to visit northern Xinjiang attractions such as Kanas and Hemu, with breathtaking scenery but relatively more tourists.
Must-Visit Attractions:
Kanas Scenic Area: Located in the Altay Mountains, it is known as the “God’s Backyard”. Here, there are mountains, lakes, forests, and picturesque scenery throughout the four seasons, especially in autumn. The scenery at the Three Bays (Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay) is superb. However, summer is also worth visiting to appreciate the magnificent natural scenery.
Sayram Lake: Known as the “Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean”, the lake is clear and azure, surrounded by mountains, making it a paradise for photographers.
Nalati: Here, there are cattle and sheep everywhere, vast green grasslands, and clear streams. It is an excellent place to experience the grassland scenery of Xinjiang.
Jongkushtai: A utopia at the foot of Mount Tianshan, with endless grasslands covered with cattle and sheep, alpine lakes, undulating hills with flower seas, forests, and streams.
Route Recommendations:
Northern Xinjiang Loop Route: Urumqi – Urho Magic City – Burqin – Kanas – Hemu – Karamay – Kuitun – Sayram Lake – Guozigou – Nalati – Return to Urumqi via Duku Highway. This route basically covers the main attractions of Northern Xinjiang and is suitable for tourists with plenty of time.
Practical Route: Urumqi → Sayram Lake → Xiata → Tekes → Jongkushtai → Nalati → Bayinbuluk → Tangbula Grassland → Urumqi. The total distance is 2,500 kilometers, and the basic itinerary takes 6-8 days, but it is recommended to stay an extra 2-3 days to focus on visiting Sayram Lake, Xiata Grassland, Jongkushtai, and Nalati.
During the trip, remember to bring clothes for all four seasons because the temperature difference between morning and evening is large in the mountainous areas of Xinjiang. At the same time, a pair of comfortable waterproof hiking shoes are also essential, convenient for walking and horse riding. Don’t forget to bring a portable card raincoat in case it rains.
The above is the main content of the Xinjiang summer self-guided tour guide, hoping it will be helpful for your trip.