Xinjiang—A Must-Visit Paradise on Earth with a Super Complete Guide.

Dear friends, if you only travel far once in your life, it must be Xinjiang! Here you will find vast endless grasslands, lakes as blue as mirrors, mysterious and magnificent deserts... Every scenery will amaze you with nature’s craftsmanship. Now, follow this guide to start a dreamy journey in Xinjiang 🚗

Preparation

Documents

ID card (must bring), some areas may require a border pass, which can be obtained in advance at the local police station.

Clothing

Xinjiang has a large temperature difference between day and night, even in summer, bring a thick jacket; also prepare brightly colored clothes for great photos 📷

Daily Necessities

Sunscreen, moisturizer, sunglasses, hats, etc. Xinjiang has strong UV rays, so sun protection and moisturizing are very important.

Medicines

Common medicines such as cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness pills, etc.

Best Travel Time

● Spring (March - May): Apricot blossoms bloom, perfect for visiting Yili to see the Apricot Blossom Valley.

● Summer (June - August): The grasslands are lush green, wildflowers bloom, ideal for exploring grasslands and lakes.

● Autumn (September - October): Golden birch and poplar forests, colorful and picturesque.

● Winter (November - February): Experience the snowy world, play in the snow, and ski.

Itinerary Planning

Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop (10 - 12 days)

Urumqi → Koktokay → Five-Color Beach → Kanas → Hemu Village → Urho Ghost City → Sayram Lake → Huocheng Lavender → Nalati Grassland → Bayinbuluke Grassland → Duku Highway → Urumqi

Attractions Introduction

● Koktokay: Beautiful Irtysh River Grand Canyon and the spectacular No. 3 Mine Pit.

● Five-Color Beach: Colorful Yadan landforms look stunning under the sunset, with a river on one side and a beach on the other, unique scenery.

● Kanas: “Fairyland on Earth,” clear lake water surrounded by forests, with the mysterious legend of the Kanas Lake Monster.

● Hemu Village: A small Tuva village, morning cooking smoke and golden birch forests, like a fairy tale world.

● Urho Ghost City: Unique Yadan landforms, the howling wind sounds like ghosts crying, very mysterious.

● Sayram Lake: “The last drop of the Atlantic Ocean,” with blue water, surrounded by grasslands and snow-capped mountains.

● Huocheng Lavender: Lavender blooms in summer, like being in a purple ocean.

● Nalati Grassland: Sky-high grassland, galloping horses, breathtaking grassland scenery.

● Bayinbuluke Grassland: Famous for the “Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns,” at sunset, nine sun reflections appear on the river, incredibly stunning.

● Duku Highway: One of China’s most beautiful roads, you can experience four seasons in one day.

Southern Xinjiang Style Line (8 - 10 days)

Urumqi → Turpan → Korla → Kuqa → Aksu → Kashgar → Taxkorgan → Hotan → Urumqi

Attractions Introduction

● Turpan: Flaming Mountains, Grape Valley, experience the high temperatures and sweet grapes.

● Korla: Bosten Lake, China’s largest inland freshwater lake.

● Kuqa: Kuqa Grand Canyon, spectacular and unique red canyon.

● Aksu: Wensu Grand Canyon, known as the “Living Geological Evolution Museum.”

● Kashgar: Kashgar Old City, full of rich ethnic customs, and the lively Kashgar Old Town night market.

● Taxkorgan: A small town on the Pamir Plateau, with attractions like Muztagh Peak and Stone City.

● Hotan: The jade capital, where you can learn about jade culture.

Food Recommendations

● Grilled Lamb Skewers: A representative Xinjiang delicacy, crispy outside, tender inside, fragrant.

● Big Plate Chicken: Tender chicken, soft potatoes, served with wide noodles, super delicious.

● Hand-Pulled Rice: Lamb, carrots, raisins cooked together, rich flavor.

● Nang Pit Meat: Lamb roasted in a nang pit, unique taste.

● Grilled Nang: Xinjiang staple food, crispy and tasty, can be stored for a long time.

● Yogurt Dumplings: Sweet and sour, very distinctive.

Transportation

● Airplane: Direct flights to Urumqi are available, then choose transfers or other transport according to your itinerary.

● Train: Suitable for those with ample time, enjoy the scenery along the way.

● Car Rental or Self-Driving: High freedom, can stop anytime to enjoy the scenery, but pay attention to road conditions and weather.

Notes

● Respect local religious beliefs and ethnic customs.

● Xinjiang is vast, with long distances between attractions, plan your time and itinerary reasonably.

● Pay attention to weather changes, prepare for warmth or sun protection.

● Some scenic areas have poor signal, download offline maps in advance.

Dear friends, the beauty of Xinjiang cannot be fully described in words; only by experiencing it yourself can you feel its charm. Hurry up, pack your bags, and embark on this dreamy Xinjiang journey 🎉