What are the must-visit places when traveling in Southern Xinjiang and Northern Xinjiang?
Xinjiang is a popular destination for many people, but for those coming to Xinjiang for the first time, they often face a dilemma: should their first stop be Southern Xinjiang or Northern Xinjiang? This dilemma seems to have become a classic conundrum. What are the differences between these two places? If Southern Xinjiang encounters Northern Xinjiang, which one has more aesthetic appeal? Mount Tianshan can be said to be the symbol of Xinjiang. When mentioning Xinjiang, many people will think of Mount Tianshan, which is a must-visit place. Mount Tianshan spans the central part of Xinjiang, running east-west. People also call the area north of Mount Tianshan Northern Xinjiang and the area south of it Southern Xinjiang.
Due to the influence of the warm and moist air currents from Siberia, Northern Xinjiang has a relatively humid climate with more rainfall. In contrast, Southern Xinjiang is different, with a drier climate and less rainfall. Northern Xinjiang has many forests and grasslands, and the climate is relatively better. There are also many tourist attractions. Southern Xinjiang has a drier climate with fewer natural landscapes, but there are many historical relics here, making it a very important cultural landscape. So, which one is better, Southern Xinjiang or Northern Xinjiang?
Entering Southern Xinjiang is like stepping into a golden avenue. There are many trees on both sides of the road, blocking the sunlight and emitting a golden glow, presenting a uniquely beautiful scenery. The sky here is very pure, and at this high altitude, there is not much noise, making it a pure land in life, simple and beautiful.
In Northern Xinjiang, there is a village rated as one of China’s most beautiful. There, Birch forests stretch across the mountains, with chimney smoke rising and houses scattered among the birches, like stepping into a fairy tale world. Moreover, there is a complete ethnic traditional village here, where local people gather to live, preserving their primitive way of life. In the early morning, morning mist emits, like entering a fairyland on earth. Amidst the hazy atmosphere, everyone wakes up from their dreams and starts a wonderful day. When winter comes, it becomes a small snowy mountain here, resembling a fairy tale world.
Southern Xinjiang and Northern Xinjiang each have their own scenic spots and advantages. If asked which of these two places has higher aesthetic appeal, it can only be said that they are different. If you have the opportunity to visit Xinjiang, you should definitely see both Southern and Northern Xinjiang.
Personally, I believe that Kanas in Northern Xinjiang is the most beautiful and purest place in Xinjiang. It is free from any pollution and is the only undeveloped area in the world. This is a very high praise, but it is not exaggerated to describe Northern Xinjiang’s Kanas like this, which also proves its beauty. When you truly arrive in Kanas, you will realize how much of a regret it is that you didn’t come here earlier. The beauty here is not limited to a specific location but is everywhere. You can’t find any flaws in a randomly taken photo here. When is the best time to visit here? I personally recommend visiting during the summer and autumn, which are the most beautiful times of the year here and also the busiest times for tourists. People come at this time to admire the charm of Kanas. In summer, it becomes a sea of flowers with blooming blossoms everywhere, filling our eyes with a riot of colors. Visiting here during this time not only allows you to taste various sweet fruits and satisfy your taste buds but also offers the opportunity for river rafting, driving away the summer heat and experiencing a different kind of excitement, leaving the most memorable impression of your Kanas trip. Visiting here in autumn is also a good choice. The scenery at this time is the most enchanting, with everything taking on a golden hue. Walking alone on the beautiful paths of Kanas in such a cool climate, feeling the magic of nature and cultivating one’s sentiment, can immerse oneself completely in such beautiful scenery. During the peak tourist season in Kanas, prices will also skyrocket, so visiting here at other times is also a good choice, with fewer crowds and a different scenery to experience.
What to Do in Kanas
View the Lake
Kanas Lake is crescent-shaped, with its eastern shore being the inner side of the crescent. Along the shore, there are six platforms protruding towards the center of the lake, forming six orderly bays. The landscapes of Kanas Lake are relatively concentrated, mainly featuring two spots, one of which is the lake area. Most hikers will visit the Fish-watching Pavilion, a major attraction of Kanas. By taking a speedboat to the opposite shore of the lake, you can find the Fish-watching Pavilion built on a steep cliff, offering the best overlook of Kanas Lake. If you wish to have a close encounter with this beautiful lake, a walk along the lakeside as dusk approaches is a good choice. The path from your accommodation to the lake area runs alongside the water, with well-built wooden pathways, towering trees, and melodious bird chirping. The primitive forests around the lake are dense, with sunny slopes covered by lush grassland. The clear water, blue sky, green mountains, white clouds, snowy ridges, and meadows blend seamlessly, creating breathtaking lake and mountain scenery. Every autumn, the forests are tinged with red and gold, presenting a picturesque view that is a paradise for photographers.
Drinking Tea, Chatting, and Soaking in the Sun
The sunshine in Kanas is charming and warm. Pour yourself a cup of tea, sit in front of your favorite scenery, feel the warmth of the sun, put on headphones, and play a free and soothing music, or chat with locals in their clumsy Mandarin, or just stare at the sky and listen to the birds singing. At this moment, you will understand what it means to relax without worries and what it means to feel peaceful and serene with your mind soaring beyond the sky.
Photography
Whether you are a professional photographer, a photography enthusiast, or just someone who likes taking photos. In Kanas, Hemu Village, and Baihaba, the autumn scenery in Kanas offers pictures, colors, layers, light, landscapes, people, scenes… None are missing! As long as you have camera equipment, even the cheapest point-and-shoot camera, in Kanas, you can use it to take the brightest photos of your photography career.
Researching Plants and Animals
If you are a researcher or enthusiast of plants and animals, this is the only distribution area of the South Siberian flora in China, where larch, Korean pine, spruce, fir, and other precious tree species, as well as numerous birch forests, grow. There are 798 species belonging to 298 genera in 83 families. There are 39 species of mammals, 117 species of birds, 4 species of amphibians and reptiles, 7 species of fish in the lake, and over 300 species of insects.
Sketching
For painters and painting enthusiasts, Kanas is a great place for sketching in northern Xinjiang, especially in autumn. It’s like nature using a paintbrush to splash pure blue skies, clear lakes, and golden autumn leaves abundantly onto this land, and then add a dazzling ray of sunshine.
The Folk Customs of Southern Xinjiang
1. The Old Town Not to Be Missed – Kashgar
In the old town of southern Xinjiang, through the colorful doors and windows, you can find traces of Morocco, as well as experience the most authentic ethnic culture.
Too many people are fascinated by the lifestyle in Kashgar, the westernmost city in China, which is divided into new and old towns. When you walk into the old streets and alleys of Kashgar, you may suddenly lose your way out.
2. Daolang Tribe Mukam
I once saw an article about southern Xinjiang in the international edition of a geography magazine. The author visited a Daolang tribe in southern Xinjiang that cannot be missed but is easily overlooked by travelers. The elderly in the tribe can play and sing a Mukam song that will make you cry.
If you encounter a local wedding or the ‘sheep-snatching’ activity, don’t miss it. The local customs will broaden your horizons.
The tourist season in southern Xinjiang is longer than that in northern Xinjiang. Only the winter from January to March is unsuitable for travel. The rest of the year has its own charm. Spring comes early, and the apricot blossoms in Datong Town are already flying all over the sky in April. In July and August, fruits and melons ripen, and in October, the poplar trees turn golden yellow.
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456