How to choose Xinjiang for the first time? Southern Xinjiang or Northern Xinjiang
[Opening]:
Xinjiang is mainly divided into southern Xinjiang or northern Xinjiang
Feel the humanities and experience the ethnic culture in southern Xinjiang, which is dominated by canyons, plateaus, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes and deserts.
Enjoy the natural scenery in northern Xinjiang, mainly forests, grasslands, sea of flowers, lakes, and snow-capped mountains
So don’t think that you can finish traveling around Xinjiang in one go. Every place in Xinjiang is beautiful, and different seasons have different scenery. Here is a recommended guide for Xinjiang throughout the year. Save it and use it at any time.
⛺【How to play】:
✅From late December to early March of the following year:
Altay in Northern Xinjiang
Attractions: Kanas, Hemu, Baihaba, Keketuohai
✅Mid-March to early April:
Southern Xinjiang
Scenic spots: Apricot blossoms in Taxkorgan County (Datong Township, Kuksiluk Township, Tal Township), Kashgar Ancient City, Pamir Plateau
✅April to May:
Northern Xinjiang
Scenic spots: Sailimu Lake, Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Turgen Apricot Valley (flowering period from early April to mid-late April), Kurdening, Nalati, Qiaxi
East Xinjiang
Scenic spots: Kumtag Desert, Tuyugou Maza Village, Huoyan Mountain, Karez, Dahaidao No Man's Land
Southern Xinjiang
Attractions: Pamir Plateau, Kashgar, Bosten Lake, Luobu Village, Wensu Grand Canyon, Yarkand Khan Palace, Yotgan Ancient City, Desert Highway
Panoramic view of northern Xinjiang + panoramic view of southern Xinjiang
Northern Xinjiang: Kanas, Hemu, Kalajun, Xiata, lavender base (flowering period from mid-June to mid-late July), Qiongkushitai, Aktas, Qiapqihai, Tangbula Hundred Miles Gallery, Mengket Ancient Road, Grassland Stone City
Southern Xinjiang: Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, Muztagh Glacier Park, Panlong Ancient Road, Bandir Blue Lake, Wakhan Corridor, Jincaotan Stone City, Taheman Wetland, Muji Crater, China's Western Pole, Oitaq Red Valley, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves
✅Mid-to-late September to early October
Altay in Northern Xinjiang
Attractions: Kanas, Hemu, Baihaba
✅October to November
Southern Xinjiang Populus euphratica forest
Attractions: Huludao, Luntai Populus euphratica forest, Zepujin Populus euphratica National Forest Park, Kashgar, Pamir Plateau
Xinjiang's four most popular highways: Duku Highway, Yizhao Highway, S101 National Defense Highway, and Desert Highway
🛬【Itinerary】:
🌲Day 1: Various Places - Urumqi
Arrive in Urumqi and arrange your own activities according to your arrival time. You can go to the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, which is full of strong ethnic customs and has a variety of special products and delicacies. You can also visit the Xinjiang Museum to learn about Xinjiang’s history, culture and folk customs.
🌲Day 2: Urumqi - Tianshan Tianchi - Fuyun/Keketuohai
In the morning, go to Tianshan Tianchi to enjoy the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains. You can also take a boat tour of Tianchi. In the afternoon, head to Fuyun or Keketuohai.
🌲Day 3: Keketuohai - Wucai Beach - Burqin
Visit the Keketuohai Scenic Area and admire the unique geological landscape. In the evening, go to Wucai Beach to admire the colorful hills on both sides of the Irtysh River.
🌲Day 4: Burqin - Kanas Lake - Kanas Sanwan - Jiadengyu/Kanas Scenic Area
When entering Kanas Scenic Area, first go to Kanas Lake and choose to take a boat tour on the lake. Afterwards, visit the three bays of Kanas, namely Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay and Wolong Bay.
🌲Day 5: Jiadengyu/Kanas - Hemu Observation Deck - Hemu Village
Go to Hemu Village and climb up to the Hemu Observation Deck to overlook the entire Hemu Village and its beautiful scenery.
🌲Day 6: Sunrise and morning fog in Hemu - Wuerhe
Get up early to watch the sunrise and morning mist in Hemu, and then head to Wuerhe.
🌲Day 7: Wuerhe - Devil City - Jinghe
Visit the Urho Ghost City and admire the Yadan landform. Head to Jinghe in the evening.
🌲Day 8: Jinghe - Sailimu Lake - Guozigou - Yining
Arrive at Sailimu Lake and stroll along the lake to enjoy the lake view. Pass through Guozigou, enjoy the spectacular scenery of Guozigou Bridge, and arrive in Yining in the evening.
🌲Day 9: Yining - Xiata Ancient Road - Zhaosu
Go to Xiata Ancient Road, hike or ride a horse to experience the scenery of the ancient road, and stay in Zhaosu at night.
🌲Day 10: Zhaosu - Kurdenin - Gongliu
Visit Kurdning, enjoy the original forest and grassland scenery, and then go to Gongliu.
🌲Day 11: Gongliu - Nalati Sky Grassland - Nalati
Enter the Nalati Sky Grassland, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the grassland, and participate in activities such as horse riding.
🌲Day 12: Nalati - Middle section of Duku Highway - Bayinbuluke Grassland - Sunset at Jiuqu Shibawan
Drive along the middle section of Duku Highway to reach Bayinbuluke Grassland and watch the sunset over the winding grassland in the evening.
🌲Day 13: Bayin Town - Southern Section of Duku Highway - Big and Small Dragon Ponds - Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan Mountains - Kuche
Continue along the southern section of the Duku Highway, visit the Big and Small Dragon Ponds and the mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon, and arrive in Kuqa at night.
🌲Day 14: Kuqa - Wensu Grand Canyon - Aksu
Go to Wensu Grand Canyon to admire the spectacular canyon landscape, and then go to Aksu.
🌲Day 15: Aksu - Free travel in Kashgar Ancient City
Arrive in Kashgar, and have free time in the ancient city of Kashgar to feel its charm.
🌲 Day 16: Kashgar - Baisha Lake - Karakul Lake - Viewing Muztagh Ata by car - Tashkurgan County
Head to Tashkurgan County, passing Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake on the way, and seeing Muztagh Ata Peak by car.
🌲Day 17: Taxkorgan - Panlong Ancient Road - Tasha Ancient Road - Bandir Blue Lake - Kashgar
Visit Panlong Ancient Trail, Tasha Ancient Trail and Bandir Blue Lake, then return to Kashgar.
🌲Day 18: Kashgar - Colorful Yadan Landform - Shell Mountain - Simhana Village - Westernmost Point of China - Kashgar
Go to Simhana Village, visit the colorful Yadan landform and Shell Mountain, and arrive at the westernmost part of China.
🌲Day 19: Opening Ceremony of Kashgar Ancient City - Yarkand Han Dynasty Tomb - Hotan Night Market - Hotan
Watch the opening ceremony of the ancient city of Kashgar, visit the Yarkand Han Dynasty Mausoleum, go to Hotan in the evening and visit the Hotan Night Market.
🌲Day 20: Hotan - Crossing the Taklimakan Desert Highway - Aral
Cross the Taklimakan Desert Highway, experience the desert scenery, and arrive in Aral.
🌲Day 21: Aral - Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves - Kuche Grand Temple - Restan Street - Kuche
Visit Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Kuche Grand Mosque and Restan Street.
🌲Day 22: Kuche - Bosten Lake - Korla
Go to Bosten Lake and enjoy the lake view, then go to Korla.
🌲Day 23: Korla - Kumtag Desert - Shanshan County
Arrive at the Kumtag Desert, where you can enjoy activities such as sandboarding, and stay in Shanshan County at night.
🌲Day 24: Shanshan County - Huoyan Mountain - Karez - Grape Valley - Urumqi
Visit Huoyan Mountain, Karez and Grape Valley, then return to Urumqi.
🌲Day 25: Airport transfer in Urumqi
Send you to the airport according to the flight schedule, and end your pleasant journey.
🧡【tips】:
Bring your ID card, student ID card (if applicable) and other necessary documents Clothing
The temperature difference between morning and evening in Xinjiang is large, so you need to prepare long clothes, short sleeves, jackets, and jackets, especially in mountainous areas or high altitude areas. Warm clothes are particularly important. Sunscreen products
Xinjiang has long sunshine hours and strong ultraviolet rays, so be sure to bring sun protection products such as sunglasses and hats
Other Items
You can bring a selfie device, a small amount of cash, etc. In addition, you can also prepare some high-calorie snacks such as self-heating hot pot, beef jerky, chocolate, etc. for emergencies.
+ Jet lag adjustment
There is a 2-hour time difference between Xinjiang and mainland cities such as Beijing. Tourists should be prepared to adapt to the time difference and adjust their work and rest schedules.
Health preparation
Prepare common medicines according to your personal situation, such as motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, Band-Aids, etc., and pay attention to maintaining good eating habits and adequate sleep.
Respect for customs
Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic area. Respect local customs and cultural traditions, protect the environment and cultural relics, and be a civilized tourist.
Plateau preparation
Some scenic spots in Xinjiang are located at high altitudes. Tourists may experience symptoms of altitude sickness. They should take adequate rest and drink plenty of water.
Group tour suggestions
It is recommended to join a tour group, because Xinjiang's scenic spots are scattered, and self-driving may make you tired and unable to enjoy the scenic spots properly due to inconvenient transportation. It is recommended to choose a local tour group or chartered car service to avoid self-driving fatigue and getting lost.