A Summer Dedicated to Xinjiang

I must dedicate at least one summer of my life to Xinjiang!
The scenery in Xinjiang during June and July is unparalleled in my heart.
Divided by the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang is split into Southern Xinjiang and Northern Xinjiang⛰️.
Southern Xinjiang is known for its cultural charm, while Northern Xinjiang boasts breathtaking natural landscapes.
If it's your first time visiting Xinjiang, I recommend starting with Northern Xinjiang❗
Grasslands, snow-capped mountains, valleys, hidden paradises...
You can witness all of these in this season, and it's so beautiful it feels unreal!
Here's an 8-day Northern Xinjiang itinerary to share❗
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🚗 8-Day Northern Xinjiang Loop
D1: Guangzhou ➠ Urumqi
D2: Urumqi ➠ Tianchi Lake ➠ S21 Desert Highway ➠ Altay City
D3: Altay ➠ Kanas
D4: Kanas ➠ Poplar River
D5: Poplar River ➠ Sailimu Lake Loop ➠ Yining
D6: Yining ➠ Nalati
D7: Nalati ➠ Duku Highway ➠ Urumqi
D8: Urumqi ➠ Guangzhou
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🌲 Must-Visit Places in Northern Xinjiang:
🔸 Tianchi Lake: Just a 1.5-hour drive from Urumqi! A natural alpine lake with water as blue as gemstones. Legend has it that this is the Jade Pool of the Queen Mother of the West~ From the lakeside, you can gaze at the majestic Bogda Peak⛰️.
🔸 S21 Desert Highway: A must-travel route from Urumqi to Altay, passing through gobi deserts, sand dunes, and Yadan landforms, with a chance to encounter Ulungur Lake~ There are service areas along the way where you can get up close to the desert and camels.
🔸 Kanas: Kanas in summer is like a fairy tale world! It includes Fish Viewing Pavilion, Three Bays, Kanas Lake, and Baihaba. All routes require returning to the transfer center before heading to the next stop.
🔸 Sailimu Lake:
There's a shade of blue called Sailimu Lake Blue, known as the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean—it's stunningly unreal~
The Kele Yongzhu area is teeming with swans! Highly recommend Pine Tree Head; climb a small hill to see a panoramic view of Sailimu Lake—absolutely divine!
🔸 Nalati: Mainly divided into three routes: the Aerial Grassland, River Valley Grassland, and Panlong Valley.
The Aerial Grassland is the highlight of Nalati! It has three stops, with the first stop, Tianjietai, offering grass skiing, which is super fun! But the most photogenic spot is the third stop, Nomadic Family, where the internet-famous bridge is a popular photo spot. The further you go, the fewer people there are, and the more beautiful it gets.
🔸 Duku Highway: Spanning 561 kilometers, it crosses the Tianshan Mountains from south to north and is hailed as one of "China's Most Beautiful Highways." From Dushanzi, the road winds up the mountains, offering views of rivers, snow-capped peaks, forests, and grasslands... experiencing all four seasons in one day is truly spectacular! Even more amazing, we discovered a hidden gem at Kash River S-Bend near Tangbula, not far from the Qiaerma Service Area! No tickets required!
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🌟 Northern Xinjiang Tips:
➊ The UV rays are strong! Make sure to protect your skin and stay hydrated!
➋ The weather in Northern Xinjiang is unpredictable, with significant temperature differences between day and night, so always carry a windbreaker.
➌ The distances between attractions are vast, so having a car is essential! This Northern Xinjiang trip,