When traveling to Northern Xinjiang from Zhengzhou, you can choose self-driving or group tours. The self-driving routes are roughly divided into the Northern Route and the Southern Route. The Northern Route mainly passes through Shanxi, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, etc., while the Southern Route passes through Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Qinghai, etc. Below is a detailed travel guide for visiting Northern Xinjiang from Zhengzhou:
Self-driving Route Planning
Northern Route: Zhengzhou → Jincheng (Shanxi) → Mianchi (at the border of Henan and Shaanxi) → Yan’an (Shaanxi) → Yulin (Shaanxi) → Yinchuan (Ningxia) → Lanzhou (Gansu) → Zhangye (Gansu) → Jiayuguan (Gansu) → Dunhuang (Gansu) → Turpan (Xinjiang) → Urumqi (Xinjiang)
Although this route is longer, the scenery along the way is unique and has a long history, such as the Loess Plateau, Qinling Mountains, Dunhuang Mogao Caves, etc.
Southern Route: Zhengzhou → Wuhan (Hubei) → Changsha (Hunan) → Chongqing (Municipality) → Chengdu (Sichuan) → Kangding (Sichuan) → Yushu (Qinghai) → Xining (Qinghai) → Dunhuang (Gansu) → Turpan (Xinjiang) → Urumqi (Xinjiang)
The natural scenery of the Southern Route is even more beautiful, with famous scenic spots such as the mountains and lakes passing through Zhangjiajie, Jiuzhaigou, etc.
Itinerary Planning and Scenic Spot Recommendations
Itinerary Time:
If you only visit Northern Xinjiang, it is recommended to plan about 20 days including travel time
If you want to visit both Northern and Southern Xinjiang, it is recommended to add another 20 days
Specific Itinerary (taking the Northern Route as an example):
Day 1 to Day 5: Depart from Zhengzhou and visit famous scenic spots such as Shaolin Temple, Huashan Mountain, Hukou Falls of Yellow River, etc., along the way
Day 6 to Day 15: After arriving in Xinjiang, you can visit Tianshan Tianchi Lake, Hongshan Park, etc., and then head to the Altay region of Northern Xinjiang to visit Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, Burqin County, etc.
Day 16 to Day 20: Continue to explore other scenic spots in Northern Xinjiang or return to Urumqi to end the trip based on interest
Recommended Scenic Spots:
Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, Burqin County, the World魔鬼城, Sayram Lake, Kalajun Grassland, Nalati Town, etc., in Northern Xinjiang are all unmissable scenic spots
Cost Budget
Fuel Cost: Based on fuel consumption and fuel prices, the fuel cost budget from Zhengzhou to Xinjiang is about 1600 yuan
(Or calculated at 7 yuan per liter of gasoline, the fuel cost is about 892 yuan, specifically depending on fuel prices and vehicle fuel consumption)
Accommodation Expenses: The accommodation expenses along the route depend on personal needs, with an average of about 200-300 yuan per night
Food Expenses: The cost of food along the route is about 100 yuan per person per day
Scenic Spot Tickets: The cost of tickets for scenic spots along the route is about 500 yuan per person
Other Expenses: Including toll fees, parking fees, etc., estimated to be 500-800 yuan
Precautions
Road Condition Information: Get familiar with road condition information along the route in advance, and avoid peak hours, construction sections, etc.
Accommodation Reservation: Book accommodation in advance to avoid not finding a suitable place during the trip
Safe Driving: Pay attention to safe driving during long-distance self-driving, and reasonably arrange rest time
With the above guide, you can better plan your trip from Zhengzhou to Northern Xinjiang. Wish your Northern Xinjiang trip is filled with wonderful memories!