You must visit Xinjiang at least once—it's like a letter from heaven to earth.

My ears keep ringing with Sa Beining's famous line: "If you haven't been to Sayram Lake, you haven't truly lived!" Not wanting to waste my life, I booked my tickets and set off. You absolutely must visit Xinjiang to witness its magnificent landscapes! For June to August, the Yili loop is the top choice—it's breathtakingly beautiful, like stepping into a fairy tale. I skipped the tour group and went on a self-drive trip—total freedom! No early morning gatherings, no strict schedules, no crowded buses, and no worries about losing the tour leader because I was my own leader. **First stop: Ürümqi (Beijing to Ürümqi)** Rented a car (Tank 300) upon arrival. Note for self-drivers: All gas stations in Xinjiang require ID to enter, and you'll need it again for verification when refueling. First, I headed to Hetian Second Street—a food paradise with a night-market vibe. (⊙o⊙) Wow, my mouth just wouldn’t stop! I’d heard about the famous big plate chicken, lamb skewers, hand-pulled rice, spicy stir-fried rice noodles, numbing chicken, yogurt rice dumplings, fried noodles with meat, and grilled buns—every place was a hit, no disappointments! I also checked out **Ma Fenghua Big Plate Chicken**—delicious! Next, the Grand Bazaar—a landmark of Xinjiang with parking nearby. The iconic Afanti and his little donkey statue perfectly capture the local ethnic charm. **Day 1:** Ürümqi → Heavenly Lake of Tianshan → Koktokay → Overnight in Koktokay (early rest). **Day 2:** Koktokay homestay → Koktokay Scenic Area (self-drivers can buy separate tickets!) → Explored the No. 3 Mine Pit → Overnight in Beitun. **Day 3:** Beitun → S21 Desert Highway → Kuytun → Overnight in Kuytun. **Day 4:** Kuytun → Dushanzi Grand Canyon → Duku Highway → Qiaoerma → Nalati → Overnight near Nalati Scenic Area. **Day 5:** Nalati via Duku Highway → Bayinbuluke (filming location for *Pegasus*—if lucky, you might see the legendary "nine suns" reflected in the winding river!) → Returned to Nalati for the night. **Day 6:** Explored Nalati—the self-drive ticket includes a map, and the pass is valid for 48 hours. **Day 7:** Nalati → Tekes → Overnight (the "Bagua City," the only city without traffic lights!). **Day 8:** Tekes → Zhaosu (watched the "Heavenly Horses Bathing in the River") → Took the Yizhao Highway → Overnight in Yining. **Day 9:** Yining → Huocheng → Navigate to Huanghuang Village for lavender fields—free and everywhere! → Overnight in Huocheng. **Day 10:** Huocheng → Guozigou Bridge → Bole → Overnight in Bole. **Day 11:** Bole → Sayram Lake—FINALLY, I’ve truly lived!!! → Returned to Bole for the night. **Day 12:** Bole via S101 → Hundred-Mile Danxia → Kensiwate Reservoir → Shihezi → Overnight in Shihezi. **Day 13:** Shihezi → Ürümqi (started shopping for souvenirs—beware of non-free shipping, as delivery fees can exceed the item’s cost!). **Return trip!** Traveling in the off-season is relatively affordable. In Xinjiang, the sun rises around 5 AM and sets around 10:30 PM. Self-driving, exploring freely, no tour leader, great food, high-quality accommodations—15 days cost about ¥8,000–9,000 per person. It was relaxed, liberating, and utterly carefree!!!