The best route for traveling in Xinjiang in February mainly depends on the scenery and culture that tourists want to experience. Due to the colder temperatures in some parts of Xinjiang in February and some attractions may not be fully open due to seasonal reasons, it is recommended to choose the southern Xinjiang route focusing on cultural customs, or combine it with some winter specialty attractions in northern Xinjiang for visiting. Here is a recommended travel route for Xinjiang in February:?
Journey of Southern Xinjiang’s Cultural Customs (7-8 days)?
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi, visit the Xinjiang Museum to understand the history and culture of Xinjiang. In the evening, you can head to the International Bazaar to taste local cuisine and feel the lively atmosphere of Xinjiang.?
Day 2: Depart from Urumqi and head to Kashgar. Kashgar is the city in Xinjiang with the most Uyghur customs. You can visit Kashgar Old Town to experience its maze-like city blocks and visit famous attractions such as Id Kah Mosque.?
Day 3: Continue exploring Kashgar, such as visiting Red Valley, Baisha Lake, and other natural landscapes, to feel the natural charm of southern Xinjiang. In the evening, you can participate in local Uyghur singing and dancing performances to deeply experience the national culture.?
Day 4: Head to Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, and visit attractions such as Stone City and Bandier Blue Lake along the way. Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County is a border county in Xinjiang with unique natural scenery and cultural landscapes.?
Day 5: Visit the Muztag Ata Glacier Park in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County to experience the magnificent scenery of the plateau and snowy mountains. Then return to Kashgar.?
Day 6: Depart from Kashgar and head to Hotan. Hotan is famous for its jade and carpets. You can visit the local jade market and carpet workshops to understand the local handicraft culture.?
Day 7: Continue exploring Hotan, such as visiting the Hotan Museum, etc. In the evening, you can taste local specialty foods, such as roast whole lamb and hand-grabbed rice.?
Day 8: Return to Urumqi and end the trip.?
This route focuses on the cultural customs of southern Xinjiang, combined with some natural landscapes. It is suitable for tourists interested in the history and culture of Xinjiang. Meanwhile, due to the lower temperatures in some parts of Xinjiang in February, choosing the southern Xinjiang route can also better avoid the impact of cold weather on the travel experience. Of course, if tourists are particularly interested in the natural scenery of northern Xinjiang, they can also consider visiting some winter specialty attractions in northern Xinjiang, such as the ski resorts in Altay, etc.?
. But be sure to check the opening status of attractions and weather conditions, and make full preparations and take warmth measures.?