Xinjiang travel tips mainly include key points such as the best travel time, must-visit attractions, itinerary planning, budget preparation, and precautions.
1. Best Travel Time
Xinjiang has a vast territory with varying best travel times in different regions. However, in general, the golden period for visiting Xinjiang is from May to October. From May to June, the grasslands in the Ili region are lush and wildflowers bloom in competition, making it an excellent time to appreciate natural scenery. From July to August, temperatures rise across Xinjiang, and fruits and melons ripen, which is the peak season for visiting northern attractions such as Kanas and Hemu. From September to October, autumn in Xinjiang is colorful and a paradise for photographers.
2. Must-Visit Attractions
Xinjiang boasts numerous breathtaking attractions. Among them, Kanas Scenic Area is known as the ‘God’s Back Garden’, featuring picturesque scenery of mountains, lakes, and forests throughout the seasons, especially the superlative scenery of the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay) in autumn. Additionally, attractions such as Sayram Lake, Hemu Scenic Area, World魔鬼 City, and Nalati Aerial Grassland are also not to be missed.
3. Itinerary Planning
A recommended 10-day Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop itinerary: Starting from Urumqi, visit Colorful Beach, Kanas Scenic Area, Hemu Scenic Area, World魔鬼 City (Devil’s City), Sayram Lake, Guozigou Bridge, Huocheng Lavender Fields, Yizhao Highway, Qiongkushitai, Tekes Eight-Trigram City, Nalati Aerial Grassland, and Duku Highway in sequence, before returning to Urumqi. This route covers over 90% of the popular attractions in Northern Xinjiang, with a different view each day, allowing you to fully enjoy the beauty of Ili Grassland, Hemu, Kanas, and more.
4. Budget Preparation
Xinjiang has a vast territory with distant distances between attractions, resulting in relatively high transportation costs. Whether choosing to travel by airplane, train, or renting a car for self-driving, it will require a considerable expenditure. At the same time, during the peak tourist season, the prices of hotels and homestays in Xinjiang will also generally increase. Therefore, it is recommended to allocate a budget of over 1000 yuan per day to ensure a more comfortable travel experience.
5. Precautions
For border scenic areas, it is necessary to obtain a permit in advance to avoid making a vain trip.
The dining characteristic of Xinjiang is that portions are abundant. If you want to taste a variety of cuisines, traveling in a group is the best choice.
When self-driving in Xinjiang, please note that the speed limit policy is strict, and signal coverage is incomplete in some areas. It is necessary to make plans in advance.
In summary, Xinjiang is a charming tourist destination that is worth visiting for both its natural scenery and cultural landscapes. When planning your trip, comprehensive consideration should be given to key points such as the best travel time, must-visit attractions, itinerary planning, budget preparation, and precautions.