When traveling to Xinjiang, one can first plan the travel time and route, and then choose suitable attractions to visit.?
Firstly, determine the travel time. Xinjiang is vast, and the best travel times for different regions vary. Overall, May to October is the golden period for visiting Xinjiang. From May to June, one can appreciate the grasslands of the Yili region and the beauty of Sayram Lake; from July to August, one can visit Kanas, Hemu, and other Northern Xinjiang scenic areas, but there will be relatively more tourists; from September to October is the best time to appreciate the autumn scenery of Kanas and Populus euphratica forests.?
Secondly, plan the travel route. Xinjiang is divided into Southern Xinjiang and Northern Xinjiang by the Tianshan Mountains. Southern Xinjiang mainly offers cultural experiences, while Northern Xinjiang mainly showcases natural landscapes.?
One can choose a suitable route based on personal preferences and schedules:?
Kanas Loop: 5-7 days, one can visit attractions such as Kanas, Hemu, Koktokay, and the Devil’s City, each place being a fairyland.?
Yili Loop: 6-10 days, including the stunning scenery at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains such as Sayram Lake, Nalati, and Xiata.?
Kanas-Yili Loop: 11-13 days, combining the essence attractions of Kanas and Yili, experiencing the most natural scenery of Northern Xinjiang.?
Northern Xinjiang Grand Circle Route: 13-17 days, self-driving around Northern Xinjiang, one can appreciate various landscapes such as deserts and Gobi, snowy mountains, and grasslands.?
Southern Xinjiang Grand Circle Route: 13-17 days, visiting the Pamir Plateau, Kunlun Mountains, Taklamakan Desert, and other places, to experience the perfect fusion of cultural customs and natural landscapes.?
Lastly, during the tour, one can focus on some must-visit attractions, such as the Three Bays in Kanas Scenic Area, the primitive wooden house life in Hemu Village, the alpine lake scenery of Sayram Lake, the horse-riding experience on the Nalati Grasslands, and the Islamic cultural characteristics of Kashgar Old Town, etc.?
In addition, based on personal interests and schedules, one can choose some special routes or activities, such as driving alone on the Duku Highway, crossing the Taklamakan Desert Highway, participating in the Kazak horse-racing and sheep-catching events, etc., to enrich the travel experience.?