The comprehensive guide to traveling to Xinjiang mainly includes information on the best travel time, must-visit attractions, pre-trip preparations, transportation, accommodation, and catering.?
I. Best Travel Time?
Xinjiang is vast, and the best travel times vary in different regions. Overall, May to October is the golden period for visiting Xinjiang. From May to June, you can enjoy the grasslands of the Ili region and the beauty of Sayram Lake; from July to August, you can taste Xinjiang’s fruits and visit northern Xinjiang attractions such as Kanas and Hemu; from September to October is the best time to admire autumn scenery, with scenic spots such as Kanas and Hu Yanglin being particularly enchanting.?
II. Must-visit Attractions?
There are numerous must-visit attractions in Xinjiang, including but not limited to:?
Kanas Scenic Area: Known as the "God’s Backyard", it has natural landscapes such as mountains, lakes, and forests, with particularly charming scenery in autumn.?
Hemu Village: Located by Kanas Lake, the houses are all built of logs. Its features include morning fog and ancient Tuwa ethnic group dwellings.?
Sayram Lake: Xinjiang’s highest and largest alpine lake, with azure and clear lake water and spectacular surrounding scenery.?
Nalati Grassland: One of the four major grasslands in the world, where you can experience traditional Kazakh activities such as horse riding and archery.?
Kashgar Old Town: China’s only labyrinthine urban block featuring Islamic culture, with buildings in a strong Uyghur style.?
III. Pre-trip Preparations?
Documents: Bring your ID card, and for some border areas such as Kanas and Baihaba Village, you need to apply for a border pass in advance.?
Clothing: Xinjiang has a large diurnal temperature variation, so you need to prepare short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, thin jackets, raincoats, thick down jackets, and other warm clothing.?
Skincare and Sunscreen: The climate is dry, so bring high-moisturizing skincare products, lip balm, and moisturizing spray; there are many sunny days with strong ultraviolet rays, so prepare high-SPF sunscreen, sun hats, sunglasses, and other sunscreen items.?
Medicine: Prepare common medications such as cold medicine, stomach medicine, and motion sickness medicine.?
IV. Transportation?
Xinjiang is vast, with distant distances between attractions, and transportation costs are relatively high. You can choose to travel by air, train, or rent a car for self-driving. During the peak tourist season, it is recommended to book flights and hotels in advance to avoid delaying your itinerary.?
V. Accommodation?
There are various accommodation options in Xinjiang, ranging from budget-friendly homestays to upscale hotels. During the peak tourist season, hotel and homestay prices generally increase, so it is recommended to book in advance and set aside enough budget.?
VI. Catering?
Xinjiang cuisine is abundant, but the price is not low. You can taste local specialties such as grilled mutton, hand-grabbed rice, and noodles pulled by hand. At the same time, attention should also be paid to the proportion of catering expenses in the travel budget.?
In summary, to travel to Xinjiang, you need to be well-prepared, including choosing the best travel time, planning must-visit attractions, preparing necessary documents and clothing, selecting suitable transportation, booking suitable accommodation, and tasting local cuisine. I hope this comprehensive guide can help you enjoy a pleasant trip in Xinjiang.?