Travel tips for spanning north and south Xinjiang mainly include choosing the best travel time, planning a Grand Ring Road itinerary across northern and southern Xinjiang, and experiencing the unique attractions of both regions.
Firstly, regarding the best travel time, Xinjiang is vast, and the optimal travel times for different regions vary. But overall, the golden period for visiting Xinjiang is from May to October. From May to June, one can enjoy the natural scenery of the grasslands and Sayram Lake in the Ili region; from July to August, one can savor Xinjiang’s fruits and visit attractions such as Kanas and Hemu in northern Xinjiang; and from September to October is the best time to appreciate the autumn beauty of Kanas and Populus euphratica forests.
Secondly, planning a Grand Ring Road itinerary across northern and southern Xinjiang is a good choice. This route starts from Urumqi and spans 4,800 kilometers, requiring at least half a month. Along the way, one can appreciate the autumn scenery of Kanas in northern Xinjiang, while also experiencing the charm of the Taklamakan Desert in southern Xinjiang. If time is limited, one can also choose to explore just one direction, such as the northern Xinjiang ring road or the southern Xinjiang ring road. The northern Xinjiang ring road connects popular attractions such as Qinggeda Lake, Koktokay, Colorful Beach, Kanas, and Hemu Village; while the southern Xinjiang ring road includes ancient cities, Thousand Buddha Caves, desert highways, Populus euphratica forests, and other remnants of the Silk Road.
Lastly, regarding the unique attractions of northern and southern Xinjiang, northern Xinjiang boasts the Kanas scenic area, known as the “Garden of the Gods”, with its particularly enchanting autumn scenery at the Three Bays; as well as Hemu Village, a tranquil and peaceful place perfect for observing starry skies and morning mist. Southern Xinjiang has the Taklamakan Desert Highway, with endless stretches of yellow sand on both sides, dotted with thousand-year-old Populus euphratica trees; and the Old Town of Kashgar, where one can immerse themselves in the rich Uyghur culture.
In summary, a journey spanning north and south Xinjiang is a fantastical adventure exploring nature and culture, requiring a reasonable arrangement of time and itinerary to fully experience the beauty and charm of Xinjiang.