Is Northern Xinjiang or Southern Xinjiang more fun for a first-time visitor?
For a round trip of Northern and Southern Xinjiang, contact Guo Jing, the Customized Travel Planner of Xinjiang
(Same) 0991-8585456
Experience humanity in Southern Xinjiang and scenery in Northern Xinjiang. Most of Xinjiang’s stunning scenery is concentrated in Northern Xinjiang. Although Southern Xinjiang also has beautiful natural scenery, it pales in comparison to Northern Xinjiang in terms of landscape types and breathtaking beauty.
Another factor is state control. During the Han Dynasty, Southern and Northern Xinjiang were separately administered. Northern Xinjiang was under the control of the Huns, while Southern Xinjiang was still under Han administration. The Han Dynasty developed the Silk Road, which also promoted the economy of Southern Xinjiang. However, Northern Xinjiang continued to lead a nomadic lifestyle. It was not until the Northern and Southern Dynasties that Turkey controlled Southern Xinjiang, achieving a relatively small unity between Southern and Northern Xinjiang.
Division between Northern and Southern Xinjiang
The vast Xinjiang is divided into southern and northern parts by the Tianshan Mountains. The area north of the Tianshan Mountains is called Northern Xinjiang, and the area south of it is Southern Xinjiang. Connecting Northern and Southern Xinjiang is the Duku Highway (formerly the Wusun Ancient Road), while Hami and Turpan are referred to as Eastern Xinjiang.
Perhaps for many travelers, the difference between Northern and Southern Xinjiang lies only in the fact that Northern Xinjiang tends towards natural scenery, while Southern Xinjiang focuses more on humanity. But in the eyes of Xinjiang people, Southern and Northern Xinjiang are entirely different. Northern Xinjiang means mountains and grasslands, while Southern Xinjiang means deserts and gobies; Northern Xinjiang represents grassland culture,
Comparison between Southern and Northern Xinjiang
1. Transportation
Northern Xinjiang: The transportation network is dense and well-connected. Scenic spots are not too far from each other compared to Southern Xinjiang, with fewer limiting factors. Prefecture-level cities such as Ili and Altay have daily flights, buses, and trains to and from Urumqi, making travel convenient. Note that trains do not reach scenic spots such as Kanas, so routes need to be planned in advance. Routes between scenic spots and cities can be switched freely for convenient tourism.
Southern Xinjiang: The transportation network is complete with many township roads. Prefecture-level cities such as Kashgar and Hotan are relatively far away. Although flights are short, tickets are not cheap and need to be booked in advance. Long-distance buses and trains take relatively longer, so it is recommended to choose comfortable sleeper berths for better rest. Distances between cities and scenic spots vary, and it is advisable to have a driver familiar with the routes.
2. Climatic Conditions
Northern Xinjiang: It has a temperate continental climate with large diurnal temperature variations. With relatively high precipitation throughout the year, there are many grasslands and rivers, making it a major agricultural and livestock production base. The diurnal temperature variation is extremely large during the transitions between spring and summer, and autumn and winter, hence the saying, ‘Wear a fur coat in the morning, silk in the afternoon, and eat watermelon by the fireplace’.
Southern Xinjiang: The temperature is relatively higher compared to Northern Xinjiang, with less precipitation and ample sunshine. The climate is relatively arid. It is an important producer of Chinese long-staple cotton.
3. Geographical Division and Scenic Beauty Comparison between Southern and Northern Xinjiang
Geographical Division:
Northern Xinjiang: The Tianshan Mountains divide Xinjiang into Northern and Southern Xinjiang. Northern Xinjiang is characterized by high mountains and grasslands. Kanas and Nalati are typical northern examples, mainly inhabited by the Kazakhs and Mongolians who lead a nomadic lifestyle throughout the year. As a result, the skies of Northern Xinjiang are often filled with songs, while eagles soar and horses gallop.
Southern Xinjiang: South of the majestic Tianshan Mountains lie deserts and gobies, the land where agricultural civilization has been passed down. The Uyghur and Tajik people live here all year round, with dance and Mukam being the main themes of their lives. Light-hearted and gorgeous, it is a delight for the eyes.
Scenic spots showdown:
Northern Xinjiang: It has a vast territory dominated by mountains and grasslands. You can ride freely among the blue sky and white clouds, wander in the vibrant landscape, and feel the whispers from the mountains, the generosity from the grasslands, and the inclusiveness from the landscape. Every mountain, every river, every flower, and every tree praise the wonders of life and the purity of nature.
Southern Xinjiang: With mountains, deserts, and gobi, it is vast and magnificent. You can indulge in delicate culture and glimpse the waves of history, or roam freely in the desert and gobi, feeling the poetic sentiment of a lonely smoke rising from the desert and the setting sun over the long river. Enjoy the vastness of heaven and earth, the past, the tranquility of summer, and the charm of autumn.
4. Suitable travel season
Northern Xinjiang: The golden season for tourism is from April to September each year. Starting in April, the wild apricot blossoms in Xinyuan County, Ili Valley, attract many visitors. Lavender, peony, and other flowers bloom successively, creating a sea of flowers. The Kanas scenic area experiences a peak tourist season from June to September. Nalati Grassland, a summer resort, is home to herds of cattle and sheep, while the beautiful Sayram Lake warmly embraces visitors who stop to admire its beauty.
Southern Xinjiang: The best travel season is from May to October each year. The majestic Pamir Plateau brings a cool and refreshing breeze, enough to wash away all fatigue. Golden Beach, Populus euphratica Forest, and Lop Nur Village are essential visual feasts in autumn. Around August, the fragrance of fruits fills the air, and the grand Eid al-Adha Festival celebrates nature’s bounty and culinary delights.
Northern Xinjiang Recommendation – Witness the red mountains and forests painted in rich colors
What scenery does northern Xinjiang have?
1. Kanas
Known as the Pure Land on Earth, Kanas is a must-visit destination on a northern Xinjiang trip. It is not only a pure land for humans but also a paradise for cattle and sheep. The picturesque scenery resembles a fairyland and is like a beautiful fairy tale world, making people reluctant to leave.
Transportation:
Departing from Urumqi: 1. It is more convenient to choose a direct flight. China Southern Airlines CZ6613/6614 operates a daily round-trip flight between Urumqi and Kanas, with prices varying according to the season. Please closely monitor the flight schedule to avoid delays. 2. You can take a bus at 18:00 from the Northern Suburb Passenger Station, with a ticket price of around 200 yuan. Alternatively, you can take a bus at the Nianzigou Passenger Station, which takes about 10 hours. The bus schedule may be adjusted, so please refer to the specific arrangements. Due to the inconvenient transportation to the scenic area, you can share a ride for about 300 yuan. 3. Since the train does not go directly to Kanas, you can take the faster train K9785/9771 to Beitun and transfer to Burqin County (suspended in winter). The hard seat ticket price is around 90 yuan. Then, you need to share a ride to the scenic area.
Best travel time: The best season to visit is from June to August each year.
Accommodation: There are wooden cabin resorts within the scenic area, priced above 300 yuan. Alternatively, you can stay at the village blanket houses, which are cheaper.
Recommended attractions: Kanas Lake is a must-see scenic spot, and its water changes colors throughout the four seasons. At the same time, Wolong Bay, Fish Viewing Pavilion, Moon Bay, Immortal Bay, and Yaze Lake are excellent locations for taking photos. Although July and August are the peak seasons, early autumn and early winter are actually the best times to visit Kanas. In autumn, the mountains are covered with red leaves, and the forests are dyed in rich colors. In winter, the snow-covered landscape, coupled with the Tuwa people’s horse-drawn sledges, truly creates a breathtaking scenery.
Tips:
The temperature difference between morning and evening in Kanas is large. It is recommended to prepare a warm jacket.
2. Baihaba Village
Baihaba Village, adjacent to Kanas, retains the original appearance of an ancient village, appearing quaint and mysterious. The ancient Tuwa people have lived here all year round. Wooden houses and fences for corralling livestock are scattered among pine and birch forests in an orderly manner, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
In the early morning and late afternoon, smoke curls up from chimneys, and cattle and sheep graze all over the hills. The entire village seems to be placed within a landscape painting of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
Baihaba
Transportation: It takes about half an hour to arrive by scenic area bus from Kanas.
Accommodation: Accommodation options are limited, so it is recommended to stay overnight in Kanas or Hemu Village.
Recommended Attractions: Baihaba is a perfect oil painting throughout the year, with lush green hills and birches standing tall. Streams flow everywhere. In autumn, the hills are covered with red leaves, and the forests are ablaze with color, creating a unique scenery.
3. Hemu Village
Blue skies, birches, and streams fulfill all imaginations of rural life. At sunset, the streams murmur and smoke curls up from chimneys, immersing the entire village in golden sunshine, creating a beautiful and colorful rural oil painting. The scenery varies with the seasons, and every corner is a picturesque view.
Hemu Village
Transportation: It takes about an hour and a half to arrive from Jiadenyu. The mountain road is winding and rugged, so drive carefully.
Best Travel Time: From June to early October each year, with the most beautiful scenery from late September to early October.
Accommodation: Stay overnight at a Tuwa family homestay or a hotel within the scenic area to discover a different night.
Recommended Attractions: The viewing platform across the Hemu River is an excellent spot for capturing beautiful scenery. You can wander and take photos amidst the morning light, letting your imagination soar.
4. Koktokay
The lake and mountain scenery are too beautiful to describe—this is the autumn of Koktokay. The birch forest stands quietly on the nearby hillside, whispering peacefully with the distant mountains and snow-capped peaks about the tranquility and beauty. Flowers are abundant, adorning this vast land. Come to Koktokay and indulge in the boundless gifts of nature.
Koktokay
Transportation: Departing from Baihaba or Burqin County, it takes about 8 hours to arrive at Koktokay Town.
Best Travel Time: From August to early October, the autumn scenery is especially beautiful.
Accommodation: Stay overnight in Koktokay Town and visit the scenic area the next day.
Recommended Attractions: The famous Third Pit and Yileimu Lake attractions are quite good. Taking a scenic view bus to see attractions like the Birch Forest and Shuimogou is an appropriate way to enjoy them.
5. Sayram Lake
Snow-capped mountains, meadows, and the sacred lake create a breathtaking landscape. The hills are covered with flowers, and herds of cattle and sheep graze. The lake surface is serene and azure, with white waves gently lapping against it, creating a captivating landscape painting. In summer, flowers bloom into a sea, and cattle and sheep resemble pearls embedded in the verdant hills, making it a truly spectacular visual feast.
Sayram Lake
Transportation: Take a bus from Urumqi to Yining, with a ticket price of around 150 yuan. You can get off halfway to sightsee. Alternatively, take a train or plane directly to Yining, and then carpool to the destination from Yining City, with a ticket price of around 50 yuan.
Best Travel Time: April to October. June is ideal, with wildflowers blooming along the lake, creating a delightful scenery.
Accommodation: You can return to stay in Yining City, which is relatively close.
Recommended Attraction: You can take photos and stroll along the wooden plank road by Sayram Lake, or hike around the lake to enjoy the sense of arrival after the journey.
Tips:
It is recommended to wear brightly colored clothes for better photo opportunities.
6. Nalati Grassland
Famous for its grandeur and diversity, Nalati Grassland is a well-known alpine meadow. During spring and summer, cattle and sheep resemble clouds scattered across the landscape, while iris flowers sway in the wind. From afar, snow-capped fir trees stand tall and handsome, eagles soar among the blue sky and white clouds, and yurts dot the grassland, creating a picturesque scene.
Nalati Grassland
Transportation: There are three direct buses from Yining City to Nalati Grassland every day, with a fare of about 60 yuan. Alternatively, you can take a direct bus from Xinyuan County to the scenic area, with a fare of about 60 yuan.
Best Travel Time: July to October is the best time, with lush pasture and herds of cattle and sheep.
Accommodation: You can stay in Yining City for one night before heading out, or stay in Xinyuan County or a yurt within the scenic area.
Recommended Attraction: Spend the night in a yurt on the grassland and watch the stars twinkling; it’s a unique experience. But if you’re afraid of bugs in the summer, skip it!
7. Tianshan Tianchi Lake
As Xinjiang’s first 5A-level scenic area, Tianshan Tianchi Lake is a familiar destination. However, as people gain a deeper understanding of Xinjiang, Tianchi Lake has become a place where visitors regret not going or regret going. Is it beautiful? Yes, but it pales in comparison to Kanas Lake, which is said to be about 100 times larger. In other words, their scenery is somewhat similar. If you are in Xinjiang for work and have a spare day or two to explore the attractions around Urumqi, Tianchi Lake is definitely a great choice.
Transportation: During the peak season (from June to early October), there are direct buses to Tianchi Lake from the gate of West Park and the gate of Ergong Stadium at around 9 am every morning. These buses take you directly to the foot of Tianchi Mountain, with a fare of about 30 yuan. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Fukang at the Northern Suburb Passenger Station, and then carpool or take a taxi to the foot of Tianchi Mountain. The bus fare is about 20 yuan, and carpooling costs between 20 and 50 yuan.
Best Travel Time: It is beautiful throughout the year.
Accommodation: Tianchi Lake does not require two days to explore, so most people choose to stay in Urumqi.
Recommended Attraction: If you have plenty of time, taking a walk along the wooden plank road beside the waterfall will yield unexpected rewards!
8. Karakun Grassland
The Karakun Grassland is located in Tekes County, Ili Valley, Xinjiang, and serves as a transitional zone between the Western Tianshan Mountains and Ili Valley. It features abundant precipitation, a cool climate, and fertile soil, which are highly suitable for the growth of forage grasses. Over a hundred species of high-quality forage grasses grow here, and the grassland was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013. The Karakun Grassland is a typical alpine meadow with diverse wildflowers, spanning an altitude range of 1,305 to 3,957 meters. It stretches 89 kilometers east to west and 32 kilometers north to south, covering a total area of 2,848 square kilometers. The abundant precipitation, cool climate, and fertile soil here are ideal for the growth of forage grasses, with over a hundred species of high-quality forage growing here.
Transportation: Take a bus from Yining to Tekes, then carpool or rent a car to the entrance of the scenic area. There are no direct buses.
Accommodation: Strongly recommended to stay in yurts within the scenic area or Tekes Eight-Diagram City (Kalajun is a scenic spot that can be visited for two days)
Tourism Season: late May to mid-September
9. Urho Ghost Town
Urho is another world created by the wind. This landform was ranked first as "China’s Most Beautiful Yadan" in the "Beautiful China" event selected by Chinese National Geography. Formed over hundreds of millions of years of wind and rain erosion, thousands of earth piles have thousands of shapes, resembling human faces, apes standing, and changing images when viewed from different angles.
Transportation: Take a bus from Urumqi to Karamay (board at Nianzigou Passenger Station), or carpool, with a cost of around 100 yuan. Then take a bus from Karamay to乌尔禾镇. There are no direct buses to the scenic area, so you need to hitchhike or carpool.
Accommodation: Stay in Karamay City or乌尔禾镇 (if you want to shoot sunrises and sunsets, it is recommended to stay in乌尔禾镇). Accommodation in Karamay can be arranged for around 200 yuan, and most accommodations in乌尔禾镇 are hotels that can be arranged for 200 yuan. The photography plan in September is relatively 100 yuan higher.
Tourism Season: late May to mid-October
10. Bayinbrook Grassland (technically speaking, it belongs to southern Xinjiang, but when following the route, you can basically head to Bayinbrook after visiting Nalati, which is relatively closer)
Bayinbrook Grassland, which means ‘abundant springs’ in Mongolian, is located at the southern foot of the Middle Tianshan Mountains, with an altitude of about 2,500 meters and an area of 22,000 square kilometers. It is the second-largest grassland in China, second only to Erdos Grassland in Inner Mongolia. The terrain here is flat, with abundant water and grass. It is a typical meadow grassland of grasses and is also a fertile summer pasture at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Whenever summer comes, Bayinbrook Grassland is lush and green, with lakes and marshes widely distributed, and cattle and sheep are everywhere, presenting a thriving scene. The famous Swan Lake is located in the southeast of the grassland. There is the scenic Gongnais Forest Resort within the territory, where the forest is lush, flowers are blooming, streams are murmuring, and strange rocks and moss are everywhere, making the scenery extremely beautiful.
Transportation: There are no direct buses. The bus from Nalati to Bayinbrook costs around 100 yuan, and during peak seasons, carpooling is expected to cost around 150 yuan.
Accommodation: Bayinbrook Town or yurts or camping bases within the scenic area (if you want to shoot sunrises and sunsets, it is recommended to stay within the scenic area). Bayinbrook Hotel is expensive during the tourist season, with costs exceeding 200 yuan.
Tourism Season: June to late September
Summary and Suggestions:
Northern Xinjiang is famous for its scenic spots both at home and abroad. No matter when you go, it boasts beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons, and summer is an excellent destination for escaping the heat. In spring, the apricot blossoms in the Ili Valley sway gracefully, telling the story of spring’s fragrance; in summer and autumn, flowers bloom into a sea, and when autumn leaves turn gold and fruits are fragrant, it constantly displays its charm. In winter, Silk Road Skiing offers you an extraordinary experience. However, due to the long distances between attractions, it is recommended to carpool or join a tour group to save many troubles.
Major attractions in southern Xinjiang – ‘The setting sun flies together with the lonely wild duck, autumn water merges with the vast sky’.
What scenery does southern Xinjiang have?
1. Lop Nur Village
This is a place comparable to an ordinary paradise on earth, mysterious and peaceful, as if it can make people forget the shackles of the mundane world. The unique architecture, the honest customs of the Lop people, and the culture passed down from generation to generation bear the traces of history, being mysterious, peaceful, and quaint.
Lop Nur Village
Transportation: You can take a bus from Korla City, with a ticket price of around 10 yuan. You can also drive there yourself, which is convenient for photography.
Best travel time: From June to the end of October, especially during the summer and autumn seasons.
Accommodation: It is recommended to stay in the scenic area and taste the famous tamarisk-grilled meat.
Recommended attractions: Walking among flowers, plants, and trees is like having a conversation with time. Every plant and tree tells a story of quietness and peace.
2. Bosten Lake
A sea embedded in the desert, which you must have never seen. Snow-capped mountains, deserts, and lakes complement each other, creating Bosten Lake, known as the ‘Eastern Hawaii’. Surfing and sunbathing are everyday experiences that are accessible to everyone. Wandering among snow-capped mountains, deserts, and lakes, listening to the sounds of nature, and enjoying the gifts of nature.
Bosten Lake
Transportation: There are direct buses in Korla, and there are also direct buses between scenic spots, which is quite convenient.
Best travel time: The tourist season is from July to September, suitable for a leisurely vacation.
Accommodation: You can stay in Korla City. Due to the large temperature difference in the scenic area, it is not recommended to stay overnight there.
Recommended attractions: The famous Golden Beach Bathing Resort is the top choice, and tasting delicious grilled lake fish is also a must-try.
3. Luntai Poplar Forest
Luntai Poplar Forest
Poplar trees, deserts, and lakes fulfill all imaginations of poplar trees. With golden autumn leaves and gusty autumn winds, walking among the poplar trees in autumn can always help you find your own authenticity, to return, stay, and set out again.
Best travel time: From September 20th to mid-October, during the golden autumn season.
Accommodation: There is no accommodation within the scenic area, but you can stay in Luntai County.
Recommended attractions: Walking among the desert and poplar trees, every scene is an extremely beautiful visual treat.
4. Kashgar Old Town
This is a place where ethnic customs are prominently displayed. Kashgar Old Town’s Folk Customs Street is rich in ethnic flavor, with a dazzling array of products. The old town’s architecture is unique, mostly earth and wood structures, with streets and alleys crisscrossing and flexibly laid out.
Kashgar Old Town
Transportation: You can take a taxi or bus in Kashgar City to get there.
Accommodation: There are many ethnic-themed hotels and inns in the downtown area, and you can choose the one that suits you best.
Recommended attractions: Ethnic handicrafts and snacks in the old town are quite famous, especially the pure handmade wool shawls and carpets, which are the first choice for tourists to give to friends and relatives as gifts.
5. Pamir Plateau
The Pamir Plateau, with its magnificent scenery atop perilous peaks, boasts towering snow-capped mountains and undulating ranges of snowy peaks, with the blue sky seemingly within reach. This creates the magnificent and mysterious rooftop of Asia – the Pamir Plateau. No praise could surpass the lines, ‘Viewed from the side, it becomes a peak; viewed from afar or nearby, high or low, it offers different scenes.’ To appreciate the chilly heights, this is the right place to come.
Transportation: There are direct buses at the Tajik Autonomous County Office in Kashgar City. It is recommended to drive, but be careful as the road conditions are poor.
Best travel season: From May to October each year. It is cold throughout the year, and the best time to visit is during summer and autumn.
Accommodation: You can stay in the Tajik Autonomous County at the foot of the Pamir Plateau. Transportation facilities are relatively convenient.
Tips: The weather on the plateau changes quickly and is relatively cold. It is necessary to bring thick clothing and oxygen masks.
6. Hongqilapu Port
Famous for its magnificent scenery, this is the southern border. The majestic No. 7 boundary marker and a group of lovely people are stationed here year-round to defend the great motherland. It is awe-inspiring to view it from both afar and nearby.
Hongqilapu Port
Transportation: Drive or carpool from the Tajik County Town. The distance is relatively close.
Best travel season: June to October. It is recommended to bring thick clothing due to strong winds and sand.
Accommodation: You can stay in the well-equipped Tajik Autonomous County. Do not stay outdoors.
Tips: It is necessary to apply for a border pass at the Public Security Bureau of Kashgar City in advance. (It has been closed to the outside world in recent two years).
7. Dawkun Desert Tourism Scenic Area
Dawkun Desert Tourism Scenic Area is 100 kilometers away from Kashgar City and adjacent to the 42nd Regiment of the Third Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. It was established in 2000 and was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture of China as a national desert scenery tourism scenic area in 2001. The scenic area connects sand and water. Desert exploration, camel expeditions, water entertainment, and other tourism projects are thrilling and exciting. Special flavor snacks such as kebab and baked stuffed buns are irresistible. Tourist routes such as the thousand-year-old King of Willow Trees, the 42nd Regiment’s military reclamation culture, the thousand-year-old King of Poplar Trees, the folk customs of the Tajik Abati Town, the Jiang Ying Patriotism Education Base, and the Little Gang Village in the northwest provide a comprehensive experience of Yuepu County’s unique regional culture and local customs. On February 16, 2012, Dawkun Desert Tourism Scenic Area was officially approved as a national 4A-level tourist scenic area by the National Tourism Scenic Spot Quality Rating Committee.
Transportation: By taxi or carpooling
Best travel season: June to October. It is recommended to bring thick clothing due to strong winds and sand.
Accommodation: Kashgar downtown area
8. Karakul Lake Scenic Area
Karakul Lake and布伦库勒 Lake are both located at the foot of Mushtagh and Kongur glaciers in布伦口 Township on the Pamir Plateau in Aktau County. The straight-line distance between the two lakes is only about ten kilometers. However, the scenery of the two lakes is vastly different.布伦库勒 Lake is abundant in water plants and grasses, with thousands of waterbirds and wild ducks gracefully swimming on the water. Occasionally, pairs of swans can be seen playing in the water, and groups of fish swim leisurely underwater. The lake surface is sparkling with dazzling reflections. In contrast, apart from the grazing grass along the shore of Karakul Lake, no creatures can be seen in the lake. Especially, the lake’s water constantly changes colors throughout the day, causing confusion. Normally, the lake water is clean and clear, like a mirror. But when the sky is cloudy and there are thunder and lightning, the lake water magically turns black, as if filled with lead, becoming a veritable blackwater lake. Every morning at sunrise, the glittering lake water, like a backdrop on a stage, constantly changes: sometimes azure blue, sometimes pale yellow, sometimes orange-red, giving people the feeling of being in a fairyland.
Transportation: Take a bus bound for Taxkorgan County and get off at this stop (Buses do not wait for passengers and there is no accommodation at the scenic area, so it is not recommended). Carpooling is expected to cost more than 500 yuan.
Best Travel Season: April to October. Due to high altitude and strong winds, it is recommended to bring thick clothing.
Accommodation: Kashgar city or Taxkorgan County
9. The Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon
The Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon is located beside National Highway 217, 72 kilometers north of Kucha County, Aksu Prefecture. It stretches east to west for about 5.5 kilometers and is formed by reddish-brown rocks carved by wind and rain. The canyon winds through secluded paths, revealing a different world within. The mountains take on various forms, with peaks piercing the sky, and valleys within valleys. Attractions such as South Heavenly Gate, Ghost Valley, Crescent Gorge, Tiger Tooth Bridge, Demon Sky Cave, and Lion’s Tears are vividly shaped and lifelike. On the cliff 1.4 kilometers from the entrance of the valley, there is a Tang Dynasty grotto with remnants of murals and Chinese characters on the south, north, and west walls. Another canyon is located 700 meters away from the mysterious canyon, accompanying it. The Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon combines majesty, danger, seclusion, tranquility, and mystery, leaving all who visit in awe and admiration.
Transportation: No scheduled buses, carpooling or chartered cars are options
Best Travel Season: April to October
Accommodation: Kucha or Aksu are both options
Many people are curious! Where does Turpan belong? Folk beliefs say that Turpan and Hami belong to Eastern Xinjiang, but accurately speaking, they still belong to Northern Xinjiang!
Famous attractions in Turpan include:
1. Flaming Mountain is located at the northern edge of the Turpan Basin. It is barren and devoid of birds, with summer temperatures reaching as high as 47.8°C and surface temperatures reaching 89°C, truly earning it the title of ‘China’s Extreme Heat’.
2. Grape Valley is a valley in the Flaming Mountains. It resembles a green ribbon gracefully floating in the center of the basin. In Grape Valley, you can taste the sweetest grapes in the world, as well as enjoy the enthusiastic dances of Uyghur young men and thrilling Dawazi performances, among other things.
3. Kumtag means ‘sand mountain’ in Uyghur. The formation of the Kumtag Desert is mainly due to the strong winds from the Tianshan Qijiaojing Gap and Dabancheng Gap, which carry a large amount of sand over long distances and collide and deposit in the Kumtag area, forming a unique landscape of ‘a desert with sand mountains’. It makes one can’t help but marvel at the magnificent scene of ‘a solitary column of smoke rises straight into the sky, and the setting sun casts a round glow over the endless river’. Xinjiang Photography Group will conduct portrait photography of the tour guide on this beautiful feather-like desert.
4. Jiaohe Ancient City is a complete urban relic preserved for over 2000 years in China and is also a well-preserved earthen city in the world.
There is also Hami, where the Hami melons are sweet and delicious. The main attractions here include: Balkun Grassland, Wubao Ghost City, Tianshan Scenic Area, Miaergou, and more.
Xinjiang Tourism Guo Jing: (Same as above)