After spending a month in Xinjiang, I have some advice on what not to do

Don't ask how much the train ticket costs💰, ask how many years of youth are left. I set off to the northwest of our motherland🇨🇳, wandering around Xinjiang for a month trying to find my lost soul. After coming back, the aftereffect was strong; I often found myself staring blankly at photos. I've put together this Xinjiang travel guide for you, and if you're thinking of going to Xinjiang, this is all you need❤️ ✈️First time to Xinjiang, where to start? Urumqi, as the transportation hub of Xinjiang, is very convenient👍. Whether you're heading to southern or northern Xinjiang, it's recommended to start from Urumqi because almost all tours and self-drive trips depart from here. ⚠️Things to note 1⃣Time difference: Xinjiang is 2 hours behind the mainland❗️Many ethnic minorities are accustomed to using Xinjiang time 2⃣Security checks: Security checks in Xinjiang are very strict, with multiple checks required at train stations and airports, so it's advised to go to the station/airport early. 🏠Accommodation recommendations: 1⃣Urumqi: Recommended to stay in the Youhao or Zhongshan Road shopping districts Kanas: Recommend staying in the city district of Beitun, followed by Jiadengyu or Burqin 2⃣Hemu: Recommend staying in the scenic area's log cabins, where you can watch the starry sky at night and increase your playtime during the day for a better experience❤️ 3⃣Sailimu Lake: It's recommended to stay in Qingshuihe Town or Huocheng County 🚙Our self-drive route Departing from Urumqi, we drove through Sailimu Lake—Huocheng—Zhaosu—Tekes—Qiongkushitai—Nalati—Duku Highway, and finally returned to Urumqi from Dushanzi The route is a circle⭕️ and is considered a classic Ili loop ps: The entire self-drive journey took 12 days, covering a total of 2300 kilometers, without rushing to destinations. We often drove for 5-6 hours a day⏰ I think it's necessary to rest and maintain a good state⭐️ 🗻Must-visit attractions 📍Qiongkushitai Meadows that stretch as far as the eye can see, fairy-tale-like foggy forests, log cabins with grass roofs, every sight is super healing 📍Huocheng Lavender Fields of purple flowers that ripple with the wind, truly romantic🔥 📍Tangbula Fairy Lake A little-known secret place that requires horseback riding up the mountain, accompanied by fresh flowers all the way, as if in Alice's Wonderland👍 📍Nalati Grassland Aerial grasslands and valley grasslands are absolutely stunning for aerial photography and self-driving! 📍Sailimu Lake 'The last tear of the Atlantic'💧If you have enough time, you must go for a self-drive around the lake 📍Duku Highway A road you must drive on once in your life! It usually opens around mid-June each year, experiencing all four seasons along the way. 🥙Xinjiang Cuisine Xinjiang's big plate chicken👍, lamb skewers, roasted lamb ribs, rack of lamb, roasted buns are really amazing, perfect for those who like strong flavors❗️ ps: There's also old yogurt, cold-water fish, hand-pulled rice, bao meat, and laghman noodles