July and August are the best times to travel in Xinjiang. At this time, Xinjiang is breathtakingly beautiful, with forests, grasslands, flowers, snow-capped mountains, and lakes forming stunning pictures. Here are some specific recommendations:?
I. Must-Visit Attractions?
Nalati Grassland: As one of the world’s four major alpine valley grasslands, Nalati Grassland is Yili’s ace scenic spot, as beautiful as a painting and absolutely not to be missed.?
Sayram Lake: Known as the "Last Tear of the Atlantic", the blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and swans here constitute a breathtaking scene.?
Duku Highway: This limited scenic route is only open for four months a year. The scenery along the way is unpredictable, ranging from snow-capped mountains to grasslands, from valleys to lakes, making it definitely worth a visit.?
Kanas: Called the "Little Switzerland of the East", Kanas Lake is not only picturesque but also has mysterious legends of lake monsters, adding more excitement to exploration.?
Hemu: Known as the God’s Backyard Garden, this village has faint cooking smoke rising from chimneys, mountains covered with green blankets, and is primitive and serene, making it a great place to relax.?
In addition, Qiaxi, Wucaitan, Devil’s City, lavender fields, and other scenic spots are also not to be missed during travel in Xinjiang in July and August.?
II. Recommended Routes?
Yili Grand Loop Route: This route follows the Tianshan Mountains, traversing the grasslands, snow-capped mountains, valleys, rivers, and glacial zones of the Yili River Valley. The scenic spots are densely distributed, with concentrated and exquisite scenery. It passes through places like Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Guozigou Valley, Lavender Fields in Huocheng, and more. The total distance is about 2,100 kilometers, and it takes 7-10 days to drive.?
Kayi Loop Route: This is a combination of the Yili Loop Route and the Kanas Loop Route, allowing you to tour both Yili and Kanas scenic areas. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Tianshan Heavenly Lake, Koktokay, Burqin, Hemu, Kanas, etc. The total distance is about 3,000 kilometers, and it takes 9-13 days to drive.?
III. Travel Suggestions?
Clothing Preparation: Due to the large temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang in July and August, it is recommended to bring clothes for all seasons, including light-colored long dresses, dresses with spaghetti straps, denim skirts, hats, sunglasses, warm underlayers, thick coats, etc.?
Sunscreen Measures: The ultraviolet rays in Xinjiang are intense, so it is essential to take sunscreen measures, such as applying sunscreen, wearing sun masks, and sun gloves.?
Off-peak Travel: July and August are the peak travel seasons in Xinjiang, with many tourists visiting scenic spots. It is recommended to try to avoid the peak times or enter the scenic areas at 9 or 10 am to bypass the tourist crowds.?
In summary, traveling in Xinjiang in July and August is not only picturesque but also offers abundant tourism resources and unique ethnic cultures waiting for you to explore. No matter which route you choose, you will be able to experience the boundless charm of Xinjiang.?