The Xinjiang Grand Circle travel guide mainly includes the best travel time, classic routes, and must-visit attractions.?
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, the grasslands in the Ili Prefecture are lush and wildflowers bloom competitively, making it an excellent time to appreciate natural scenery; from July to August, temperatures rise across Xinjiang, and fruits ripen, making it the peak season for visiting northern Xinjiang attractions such as Kanas and Hemu Village; from September to October, Xinjiang’s autumn is colorful and a paradise for photographers.?
Classic routes:?
Xinjiang Grand Circle Route: This route encompasses the beautiful scenery of both Southern and Northern Xinjiang, with a relatively long distance and requiring about 45 days of vacation, suitable for travelers with ample time and an adventurous spirit.?
Northern Xinjiang Grand Circle Route: This route features grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and lakes as its main landscapes, suitable for travelers who want to see these natural landscapes. The route includes popular attractions such as Koktokay, Colorful Beach, Kanas, Hemu Village, etc.?
Southern Xinjiang Grand Circle Route: Featuring deserts, gobies, oases, and rich ethnic customs, this route includes attractions such as Kashgar, Pamir Plateau, Lop Nur Village, etc., allowing travelers to experience the remnants of the Silk Road.?
Must-visit attractions:?
Kanas Scenic Area: Located in the Altai Mountains, the lake is clear and the scenery is enchanting. You can climb up the Fish Viewing Platform to overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire Kanas Lake, or stroll along the lakeside pathway to feel the tranquility of nature.?
Sayram Lake: With breathtaking lake and mountain scenery, it is one of Xinjiang’s famous attractions. Appreciate the sunrise and sunset by the lake and feel the tranquility and grandeur of nature.?
Nalati Aerial Grassland: Located in the northern section of the Duku Highway, the grassland is vast and the scenery is beautiful. Here, you can experience activities such as horseback riding on the grassland and enjoying the grassland scenery.?
Kashgar Old Town: One of the representative attractions in Southern Xinjiang, the old town preserves a large number of traditional Uyghur residences and handicraft workshops, allowing visitors to gain an in-depth understanding of Uyghur culture and history.?
In addition, there are many other worth-visiting attractions such as Tianshan Tianchi Lake, Koktokay, Colorful Beach, Wuerhe Devil City, Baisha Lake, Wensu Grand Canyon, Lop Nur Village, and more.?
. When planning your itinerary, you can choose suitable routes and attractions to visit based on your time and interests.?