Must-visit Places in Northern Xinjiang: Kanas –
Kanas features a Tiffany blue lake that you can’t see anywhere else, and many of the stunning Xinjiang landscapes were photographed here. The lake’s color changes with the seasons due to different light refraction, appearing like a mirror with ripples but no visible bottom. Whether you take a boat to get up close to the lake or climb up to the Fish Viewing Pavilion for an overview, this lake with many legends is mysterious and beautiful, and completely different from most of the clear lakes you’ve seen. Hemucun – The Village as a Painting Scroll
Hemucun is dotted with log cabins where the Tuvas have lived for generations, with a serene beauty that combines forests, rivers, and villages. The fairyland-like sunrise with morning mist is a classic sight. Locals describe it as a home with more than just beautiful scenery. Whether it’s the bustling summer and autumn seasons or the snowy winters, they are willing to stay in their log cabins. It is also thanks to these people who love this land that we can find a sense of real life amidst the coming and going tourists. Sayram Lake – Bright Eyes of the Mountains
Sayram Lake is the highest and largest lake in Xinjiang. The phrase “the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean” is enough to captivate anyone. At an altitude of 2071 meters, lakescapes are very limited in this arid and water-scarce region of Xinjiang. This 453-square-kilometer lake at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains is treasured by locals and tourists alike. In summer, the grassland is covered with wildflowers, and the deep blue of the plateau lake is like an eye, becoming darker blue as you look further away, presenting a lake surface with gradient colors. Yili Grassland – Colorful Flower Sea
The Yili River Valley is filled with the ultimate grassland scenery of Xinjiang. Starting from Yining, the classic grassland scenery along the way includes Zhaosu, Karakun, Nalati, and Bayanbulak. The flower sea of golden thread lotus, rape flowers, lavender, etc., which change with the seasons, also gives the grasslands different attractions. Turpan – Cultural Flavor
If you think that Northern Xinjiang is mainly about scenery and lacks cultural flavor, then I highly recommend you visit Turpan. Here, you can see Kanerjing, one of the Three Ancient Civilization Projects of China, which is renowned alongside the Great Wall and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. There are also camel rides in the desert and the filming location of ‘Journey to the West’, making it an unmissable exotic trip.
How to Plan the Route
The planning of the route has several principles:
1. Refuse to rush, with an average daily driving distance not exceeding 400km, enjoying the journey as you go;
2. Combine scenic spot visits with secret spot experiences, rather than just a simple and uninteresting series of scenic areas;
3. Accommodation is also an important part of travel. Cleanliness and comfort are the basics, and it’s even better to experience local characteristics.
[Suitable Groups]
Xinjiang is not troubled by high altitudes, but the travel time by car is relatively long. As long as the elderly and children are in good health, there should be no difficulties.
Two itineraries are recommended. The route design fully considers the experience on the road, and is one day slower than ordinary itineraries, making it particularly suitable for those who want to deeply explore and slowly enjoy Xinjiang. ↓↓↓
6-Day Kanas Loop Route
[Travel Season]
In September and October, China’s most beautiful autumn scenery is well-deserved.
[Itinerary Arrangement]
DAY1 Urumqi-Hundred-Mile Oilfield-Hidden Stone Beach-Urho/Hoshitoluogai about 400km
DAY2 Urho/Hoshitoluogai-Burqin-Jadengyu-Hemu Village about 400km
DAY3 Hemu Village-Kanas Lake Bay-Kanas Village 100km
DAY4 Kanas-Fish Viewing Platform-Three Bays of Kanas-Colorful Beach-Habahe 180km
DAY5 Habahe-Hidden Desert-Shenshi City-G219-Karamay 410km
DAY6 Karamay-Duku Tianshan Gate-Foot of Tianshan Mountains-Urumqi 430km
7-Day Yili Loop Route
[Best Travel Season]
In July and August, the grassland flower sea scenery is available for a limited time.
[Itinerary Arrangement]
Day 1 Urumqi-Guozigou Light Trekking-Saimuling Lake Sunset-Overnight in Qingshuihe
Day 2 Qingshuihe-Tukai Desert-Lavender Photo Session-Kazangqi-Overnight in Yining
Day 3 Yining-Zhaosu Flower Sea-Tianma Cultural Park-Overnight in Tekes Bagua City
Day 4 Tekes-Karakun Mysterious Pasture-Grassland Barbecue-Overnight in Xinyuan County
Day 5 Xinyuan County – Tea tasting and scenery viewing at Nalati Homestay – Bayinbuluke – Stay in Bayinbuluke
Day 6 Bayinbuluke – Qiaoerma Memorial Hall – Tangbula 100-Mile Gallery – Stay in Tangbula
Day 7 Tangbula – Dushanzi Grand Canyon – Urumqi
2-day Turpan Route
[Best Travel Season]
Playable all year round
[Itinerary Arrangement]
Day 1 Urumqi – Karez Well – Turpan Museum – Beziklik Thousand Buddha Caves – Kumtag Desert – Stay in Shanshan
Day 2 Tuyugou Grand Canyon – Tuyugou Ancient Village – Dabancheng Wind Farm – Return to Urumqi
2. Clothing Guide
May: Mainly winter clothing. Kanas is relatively cold, so you can also prepare a short-sleeved T-shirt and a windproof jacket;
From June to August: Mainly summer clothing, with 1-2 autumn jackets for wearing in the morning and evening;
From mid-September to after the National Day holiday in October: Mainly winter clothing. Girls who want to take photos and are not afraid of the cold can bring 1-2 dresses to wear during the day.
For winter clothing, it is recommended to bring fleece-lined windbreakers, which are windproof, warm, and stylish.
In any season, shawls and scarves are very useful! You can bring one thick and one thin scarf, in different styles, to match your clothing and keep warm.
5. Is it suitable for bringing elderly and children to play?
Except for the Fish Viewing Terrace in Kanas, which is over 2000 meters above sea level, the average altitude of other points in the itinerary is around 1000 meters. There are no high-altitude experience points involved, so there is usually no trouble with altitude sickness. Therefore, it is completely not difficult for elderly and children to come to Xinjiang.
The Fish Viewing Terrace in the Kanas route requires a walk of about 30 minutes, and the mysterious viewing point at Guozigou in the Yili route requires a walk of about 20 minutes. If there are elderly or children with poor physical condition, they can reduce this part of the experience as appropriate, which will not affect the overall itinerary.
6. How to choose an itinerary?
The choice of itinerary depends first on the length of your vacation, and second on your travel time.
From June to August, the Yili 7-day route is the first choice. If you have ample time, you can also visit Kanas. The Kanas + Yili loop route is expected to take around 10 days;
From September to October, Kanas in golden autumn is very famous, highly recommended! 👌
The 2-day Turpan route is not picky about seasons. As long as you have time, you can come here to experience exotic customs, explore Karez wells, and indulge in the desert.
8. Recommended clothing combinations for taking photos?
I guess only girls have this question, so let’s take girls as an example.
[Northern Xinjiang Route] Kanas, Hemu, the overall scenery is quite colorful. You can wear pure-colored dresses or clothes, which will match the scenery well. White and red are both good choices.
10. Solutions for long car rides
Xinjiang is vast. Although we have fully considered this pain point, the travel time by car is indeed much longer compared to other destinations. Firstly, you can prepare some favorite snacks to share with your companions; secondly, you can bring playing cards for everyone to entertain themselves; finally, don’t fall asleep and miss the scenery along the way! The camels, cows, and sheep on the road are all very cute.
For details, please consult: Xinjiang Tourism Xiao Guo: (same) 0991-8585456