Xinjiang is beautiful all year round. If you say you must visit Xinjiang, I suggest everyone go at least twice. Once to explore Northern Xinjiang and once to explore Southern Xinjiang. The scenery varies in different seasons. Don’t consider seeing it all in one trip, because Xinjiang is too large. Don’t just glance at it in a hurry, as this will waste a great viewing opportunity, especially for photography enthusiasts.
How to choose a suitable route starts with understanding Xinjiang.
(1) Xinjiang is divided into Northern Xinjiang, Central Xinjiang, and Southern Xinjiang, with different scenery in each region.
1. Northern Xinjiang includes: Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Karamay, Altay Prefecture, Burqin County, Mulei, and other regions. The scenic areas included are (Kanas Lake Scenic Area, Hemu Village, World Ghost City, Baihaba Village, Northwest Desert, Zhongha Border Baishahu Lake, Keketuohai, Colorful Beach, Mulei Populus euphratica, and other famous scenic areas)
2. Central Xinjiang covers: Ili Prefecture, Shihezi, Zhaosu, Kuitun, Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Huocheng, Xinyuan, Nalati, Bayinbrook, etc. Included scenic areas are (Kuitun Grand Canyon, Hongshan Grand Canyon, Sayram Lake, Guozigou, Lavender, Human Grassland, Bagua City, Xiata, Nalati, Bayinbrook’s Nine-Bend-Eighteen-Turn River, Gongnais, and other scenic areas).
3. Southern Xinjiang covers: The main self-driving destinations in Southern Xinjiang are areas south of the Tianshan Mountains and north of the Kunlun Mountains, all called Southern Xinjiang, including Korla, Kuqa, Aksu, Atush, Hotan, Kashgar, Ruoqiang, and other places.
(II) Characteristics of Scenery in Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter in Xinjiang
1. Spring: Central Xinjiang and parts of Southern Xinjiang are beautiful, with everything coming back to life and enchanting apricot blossoms. Most people who come to Xinjiang are heading for Apricot Blossom Gully.
2. Summer: Central Xinjiang, at this time there are fields of flowers with various colors, including lavender (in June)
3. Autumn: Northern Xinjiang, especially in September at this time. The Kanas Lake Scenic Area, Hemu Village, Baihaba Village, Koktokay, are breathtakingly beautiful, reminiscent of Swiss towns, like a fairyland on earth. It has become a paradise route for domestic photography and travel enthusiasts. Special note here: You must allocate three days for Kanas, Hemu, and Baihaba, one day for each place, otherwise it will be difficult to take good photos.
4. Winter: The colors and cultural beauty of Southern Xinjiang, and the snowy landscapes of Northern Xinjiang.
The autumn in Xinjiang from September to October is golden. The summer in Xinjiang is relatively short, and at this time Xinjiang is about to enter autumn. Friends who love photography or enjoy the feeling of golden yellow can go to Kanas and Hemu scenic areas to appreciate the unparalleled autumn scenery at this time. Every year at this time, the golden yellow everywhere forms a dreamlike fairy tale world.
Recommended Routes for Northern Xinjiang in Autumn, Customized Routes Based on Everyone’s Time (Tiankongwei~cd913hw) D1: All parts of China — Gather in Urumqi (Free activities for early arrivals, can visit the International Bazaar, Hongshan Park, Tougong Museum). D2: Urumqi — Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area — Cross Karamay Hooved Animal Reserve — Fuyun (Stay in Fuyun). D3: Fuyun — Koktokay Scenic Area — Fuyun (Stay in Fuyun). D4: Fuyun — Colorful Beach — Burqin (Stay in Burqin). D5: Burqin — Hemu Scenic Area (Stay in Hemu). D6: Hemu — Kanas Scenic Area (Stay in Kanas) D7: Kanas — World Ghost City Scenic Area — Urho (Stay in Urho). D8: Urho — Anjihai Grand Canyon (Hongshan Grand Canyon) — Urumqi (End of itinerary).
The majestic snow-capped mountains and vast deserts of Xinjiang have always been there, attracting and waiting for those who will visit. When is the best month to travel to Xinjiang? This not only depends on your route direction but also on what you are fond of in Xinjiang.
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456