Planning a trip to Xinjiang can be based on the characteristics of Southern and Northern Xinjiang, allowing you to experience the rich natural scenery and cultural customs.?
Xinjiang is divided into Southern Xinjiang and Northern Xinjiang by the Tianshan Mountains:?
Northern Xinjiang: Mainly appreciate natural scenery, such as mountains, grasslands, valleys, etc. The natural scenery of Northern Xinjiang can be divided into two parts: one is the mountains, valleys, forests, etc., mainly along the Altay Ring Road; the other is Ili and the Ili River Valley area. Recommended travel routes include the Kanas Ring Road, Ili Ring Road, Kanas-Ili Ring Road, and Northern Xinjiang Grand Ring Road. These routes cover famous scenic spots such as Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, and Nalati Grassland, each of which will captivate you.?
Southern Xinjiang: Mainly experience cultural customs, such as deserts, gobies, ancient cities, and ethnic customs. Scenic spots in Southern Xinjiang include Kashgar, the Pamir Plateau, Baisha Lake, etc. It is full of cultural charm and can be visited throughout the year. However, the golden period for travel is from September to January of the following year, when you can experience its unique cultural charm and exotic atmosphere.?
In addition, here are some practical travel tips:?
Best travel time: Northern Xinjiang is suitable for travel from June to September, with cool summer weather and picturesque scenery. Southern Xinjiang can be visited throughout the year, but the golden period is from September to January of the following year.?
Transportation: You can download the ‘Silk Road Xinjiang Travel’ app. For urban transportation, BRT or subway are the first choices, and bus rides only cost 1 yuan. If you are planning a self-drive tour, it is not recommended for first-time visitors to Xinjiang to drive themselves. Instead, you can choose a local pure-play tour group.?
Scenic spot tickets: During the peak tourist season, scenic spot tickets must be booked in advance to avoid disappointment when trying to buy tickets on-site.?
Sunscreen measures: The ultraviolet rays in Xinjiang are very strong, so be sure to take good sunscreen measures.?
In short, traveling in Xinjiang is an unforgettable experience. Whether you are admiring the natural scenery of Northern Xinjiang or experiencing the cultural customs of Southern Xinjiang, you will be fully rewarded.?