Xinjiang’s tourist routes are very rich. Here are some classic and distinctive tourist routes:
1. Kanas Loop Route (5-7 days):
Highlight Attractions: Kanas, Hemu, Koktokay, Ghost City, etc.
Travel Experience: Visit the Altay region, admire the verdant Kanas Lake, and experience primitive log cabin life.
2. Yili Loop Route (6-10 days):
Highlight Attractions: Sayram Lake, Nalati Grasslands, Xiata, Tangbula, Duku Highway, etc.
Travel Experience: Explore the Ili River valley surrounded by the Tianshan Mountains, enjoying the beauty of the changing seasons.
3. Kaiyi Loop Route (11-13 days):
Highlight Attractions: Combines all the highlight attractions of the Kanas Loop and Yili Loop.
Travel Experience: The most essential natural scenery tour route in northern Xinjiang, suitable for in-depth exploration.
4. Northern Xinjiang Grand Circle Route (13-17 days):
Highlight Attractions: Based on the Kaiyi Loop, it adds desert and Gobi landscapes in the Turpan, Hejing, and Hami areas.
Travel Experience: A self-drive tour around northern Xinjiang, enjoying diverse scenery.
5. Southern Xinjiang Grand Circle Route (13-17 days):
Highlight Attractions: Pamir Plateau, Kunlun Mountains, Taklamakan Desert, etc.
Travel Experience: Focuses on experiencing cultural customs and feeling the unique charm of southern Xinjiang.
In addition, there are some special tourist routes, such as:
Duku Highway: Reputed as the most beautiful highway in China, it stretches across the Tianshan Mountains, offering spectacular scenery.
S21 Awu Expressway: Xinjiang’s first desert expressway, crossing the Gurbantünggüt Desert.
S101 Highway (Hundred-Mile Danxia Scenic Route): A tourist highway integrating natural landscapes, geological wonders, and cultural relics.
Yizhao Highway: Known as the ‘Little Duku’, it boasts picturesque scenery along the route.
These routes each have their own unique characteristics, covering Xinjiang’s natural scenery, cultural landscapes, and distinctive cultures. You can choose based on personal interests and schedule.