The Xinjiang full-route travel guide mainly includes the best travel times, essential travel routes, and recommended specialty foods and shopping.?
Best travel time:?
Xinjiang is vast, and the best travel times vary in different regions. Overall, May to October is the golden period for visiting Xinjiang. From May to June, the grasslands in the Ili region are lush and wildflowers bloom, making it an excellent time to appreciate the natural scenery; from July to August, temperatures rise across Xinjiang, and fruits ripen, making it the peak season for visiting northern scenic areas such as Kanas and Hemu; from September to October, autumn in Xinjiang is colorful and a paradise for photographers.?
Essential travel routes:?
Kanas Loop: 5-7 days, including scenic spots such as Kanas, Hemu, Koktokay, and the Ghost City, each a fairyland.?
Ili Loop: 6-10 days, covering the stunning scenery at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, such as Sayram Lake, Nalati Grasslands, and Xiata, etc.?
Kayi Loop: 11-13 days, combining the essence of Kanas and Ili scenic spots, experiencing the most natural scenery of Northern Xinjiang.?
Great Northern Xinjiang Loop: 13-17 days, self-driving around Northern Xinjiang, with deserts, gobies, snow-capped mountains, and grasslands all available.?
Great Southern Xinjiang Loop: 13-17 days, visiting the Pamir Plateau, Kunlun Mountains, Taklamakan Desert, and other places, experiencing the perfect fusion of cultural customs and natural landscapes.?
Recommended specialty foods and shopping:?
Food: In Xinjiang, one can taste authentic grilled meat (mutton skewers), roasted whole sheep, pilaf, hand-pulled noodles, and other delicacies. It is recommended to try the yogurt rice cakes, baked buns, and spicy chicken with potatoes at Loulan Secret Grill, as well as other long-established restaurants in Urumqi.?
Shopping: Places like No. 92 Bohuguan, Secret Island, Gewumu Chuang in Urumqi are great shopping destinations, where one can purchase vintage groceries, accessories, original refrigerator magnets, and other unique items. In addition, the ethnic clothing and handmade leather boots of the ‘Black Eyed Girls’ also have strong ethnic characteristics.?
When planning a full-route tour of Xinjiang, one can also consider renting a car or joining a group tour, with pick-up and drop-off services throughout the journey, stopping whenever desired, making it more flexible and convenient.?
. Meanwhile, based on personal time and preferences, one can choose a suitable route for an in-depth tour and enjoy the unique charm brought by Xinjiang, this mysterious and beautiful land.?