There are multiple classic itineraries to choose from for a trip to Xinjiang, including the Kanas Circuit, Ili Circuit, Kanas-Ili Circuit, Northern Xinjiang Grand Circle Route, and Southern Xinjiang Grand Circle Route.?
Kanas Circuit: This itinerary takes about 5-7 days, mainly exploring the Altay region, including attractions such as Kanas, Hemu, Koktokay, and the Devil’s City. The best travel time is from September to October when you can enjoy the magnificent autumn scenery.?
Ili Circuit: This itinerary takes about 6-10 days, exploring the Ili River valley surrounded by the Tianshan Mountains, including scenic areas such as Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, and Xiata. It is suitable for travel from May to August when the grasslands are lush and flowers are in full bloom.?
Kanas-Ili Circuit: This itinerary is a combination of the Kanas Circuit and the Ili Circuit, taking about 11-13 days. It covers attractions of the above two circuits and is the most essential natural scenery tourism route in northern Xinjiang. It is suitable for travel from May to October.?
Northern Xinjiang Grand Circle Route: This itinerary takes about 13-17 days, self-driving around the entire northern Xinjiang, including scenic spots in Kanas and Ili, as well as desert and Gobi landscapes in the Turpan area of eastern Xinjiang. It is suitable for travel from May to November.?
Southern Xinjiang Grand Circle Route: This itinerary takes about 13-17 days, mainly passing through places such as the Taklamakan Desert, Pamir Plateau, Kunlun Mountains, focusing on experiencing cultural customs. The best travel season is from September to November and March to May.?
In addition, there are special routes such as the Duku Road, known as the "Most Beautiful Highway of Tianshan Mountain", with a total length of 561 kilometers, stretching from Dushanzi to Kuqa, crossing Tianshan Mountain. The landscapes along the way include snow-capped mountains, grasslands, canyons, forests, etc., making it a peak work of self-driving in Xinjiang. It is recommended to go between June and September when the road conditions are the best and the grasslands along the way are the most beautiful of the year.?
The above itinerary is for reference only, and specific arrangements need to be adjusted according to factors such as personal interests, time, and budget. When planning the itinerary, it is recommended to understand the local weather, transportation, accommodation, and other conditions in advance to ensure a smooth trip.?