2025 Xinjiang Travel｜A steal if you see this!

A seasoned driver just back from the Duku Highway tearfully compiled this guide, which can save you the cost of 3 bottles of sunscreen!

📍Scenic Spot Files
✅Top 5 Must-Sees:
▪️Kanas: End of April's remaining snow + early greenery = a secluded wonderland all to yourself
▪️Narat: Wild lilies blooming through the snow in May (wait for sunrise)
▪️Sailimu Lake: 90km around the lake chasing the spectacle of blue ice cracking
▪️Kashgar Old City: Don't miss the 10:30 opening ceremony
▪️Duku Highway: Partial sections open for trial runs at the end of April

⚠️Warnings:
▫️Bayanbulak Swan Lake is still frozen in April
▫️Turgen Apricot Valley blossoms are unpredictable (flowering period is unstable)
▫️The snow on the Panlong Ancient Road in Taxkorgan lasts until mid-May

🚗Transportation Survival Guide
▪️Urumqi Diwopu International Airport: Subway Line 1 goes directly to the Grand Bazaar
▪️Three tips to avoid rental car scams:
1️⃣Check snow tire replacement records
2️⃣Confirm the vehicle's altitude adaptability
3️⃣Must have snow chains (essential for Tianshan Mountain sections)
▪️Train travelers choose D8803: Urumqi → Yining. The scenery is breathtaking.

🏡Accommodation Tips
▫️Kanas: Stay in the new village to save a 2km walk on the boardwalk
▫️Hemu: Choose wooden houses with underfloor heating (night temperature -5℃)
▫️Yining: Liuxing Street homestays are more charming than hotels
▫️Southern Xinjiang tip: The west side of Kashgar Old City is quieter

🍖Foodie Cheat Sheet
▪️Big Plate Chicken: When adding belt noodles, say "Mian yao er jiezi" (I want two-section noodles)
▪️Baked Buns: Look for shops with charcoal fires in their naan pits
▪️Pilaf: Arrive before 2pm to get some
▪️Hidden menu: Yogurt with naan pit roasted meat is amazing for cutting through the richness

📸Photography Tips
▫️Sailimu Lake blue ice: Use a telephoto lens to capture the golden light on the cracked ice at sunrise
▫️Kashgar Old City: Capture the light rays on Apak Hoja Tomb at 6pm
▫️Duku Highway: Photograph the remnants of snow walls at Hashlegen Daban

🗺North vs. South Xinjiang Guide
North Xinjiang Highlights✅:
▫️Natural scenery + skiing/residual snow season
▫️Fewer crowds and lower prices in April-May with early blooming wildflowers
South Xinjiang Advantages✅:
▫️Golden age for cultural photography (not too hot or cold)
▫️The tail end of apricot blossoms on the Tashkurgan Ancient Road (early April)

⚠️Five Survival Tips
1️⃣Carry your ID at all times! There are so many checkpoints you'll question your existence
2️⃣Gas stations require facial recognition entry (tidy up your appearance beforehand)
3️⃣Restrooms in scenic areas are at least 50km apart (drink less water)
4️⃣Use SPF50+PA++++ sunscreen (strong UV rays)
5️⃣Bargain by cutting the price in half (souvenir prices are inflated)