Golden Northern Xinjiang Eight-Day Journey

In-depth 8-day travel guide to Northern Xinjiang: Unlock the Western fairy tale of snow-capped mountains, lakes, and grasslands

1. Core Preparations Before the Trip: Key Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Best Travel Period

- Summer (June-August): Season of grassland flowers, Nalati Grassland is lush green, Sayram Lake is vast and blue, perfect for summer cooling and flower viewing.
- Autumn (September-October): When the colorful forests turn golden, Kanas is covered in layers of colorful trees, and Hemu’s wooden houses emit curling smoke, the golden period for photography.
- Winter (November-March): Season of ice and snow wonderland, Sayram Lake’s blue ice sparkles, Hemu is covered in silver, ideal for snow activities and chasing the aurora.

2. Clothing and Equipment

- Dressing rule: Use the “onion-style layering” — inner moisture-wicking T-shirt + middle fleece/sweater + outer windproof jacket/down coat, to handle the temperature difference of “cotton-padded jacket in the morning, gauze in the afternoon.”
- Essential gear: SPF50+ sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses (for strong UV protection); thermos, lip balm (dry climate); waterproof hiking boots (for grassland/mountain trekking); winter requires snow boots and thick gloves.

3. Transportation and Documents

- Major transport: Fly directly to Urumqi Diwopu Airport or take the high-speed train to Urumqi Station. After arrival, it is recommended to rent a car (200-400 RMB per day) or join a small group tour of 6 people. Northern Xinjiang’s attractions are scattered, self-driving is more flexible.
- Documents: Always carry your ID card. For border areas (such as Jimunai), apply for a border pass in advance.

2. Daily Itinerary: Classic Northern Xinjiang Loop Without Detours

Day 1: First Encounter with Urumqi · Initial Experience of Western Region Style

- Morning: Arrive in Urumqi from various places, check into hotel and rest. Recommended to stay in Tianshan District, close to food streets and attractions.
- Afternoon: Visit Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum (see the Loulan Beauty mummy, learn about Western Region history, free but requires reservation).
- Evening: Check in at the International Grand Bazaar, try freshly baked roasted buns and freshly sliced hand-pulled rice, learn a Uyghur phrase “Rehmet” (thank you) to feel the atmosphere.
- Food recommendations: Nanmen Old Ma Nang Pit Meat (roast lamb chops with piyazi, about 60 RMB per person), Hongshan Market Xiao Chen Mixed Noodles (fried meat mixed noodles + kvass, about 35 RMB per person).

Day 2: Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Hemu

- Morning: Depart along S21 Desert Highway, cross the Junggar Basin, witness the magnificent scene of desert and highway intertwined. In summer, the yellow sand stretches endlessly; in winter, it looks like matcha sprinkled with sugar frosting.
- Afternoon: Stop briefly at Ulungu Lake, then head to Hemu Village, check into a characteristic wooden house homestay.
- Evening: Join the Hemu bonfire party, dance with locals, and enjoy dinner of potato stewed dried meat with milk tea.

Day 3: Slow Life in Hemu · Morning Mist and Snowfield Appointment

- Early morning: At 7 am, climb the Hemu viewing platform to capture the stunning scene of morning mist, wooden house smoke, and sunrise in one frame. In autumn, the forest is colorful; in winter, it is covered in silver.
- Morning: Rent a horse-drawn sled (about 50 RMB per person) to travel through the forest, or take photos on the birch forest trail. Wearing white clothes makes photos more striking.
- Afternoon: Gather around the stove to brew tea, experience “water turning to ice” (winter only), get close to the life of the Tuva people.
- Dinner: Awugayi Restaurant’s earthen hotpot (wild mushrooms + big tail sheep, about 120 RMB per person), the owner often gives handmade yogurt as a gift.

Day 4: Hemu → Kanas Three Bays → Jimunai

- Morning: Travel along Ahe Road to Kanas, enjoy the primitive forest scenery along the way. In autumn, the birch forest is dazzlingly golden.
- Afternoon: Hike the three bays of Kanas (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay). The guide will take you to a small platform on the east side of Moon Bay to avoid crowds and capture the perfect S-shaped curve.
- Evening: Arrive in Jimunai for accommodation, try local specialty lamb dishes for dinner.

Day 5: Jimunai → Devil City → Kuitun

- Morning: Horseback patrol at Jimunai border, take photos at the national gate, experience border customs, and try shooting activities.
- Afternoon: Head to the World Devil City, take a small train through the yardang landforms, listen to the “devil’s roar” formed by the wind in the ravines. At sunset, the Danxia-colored rock walls are even more spectacular.
- Evening: Stay in Kuitun, dinner recommended is big plate chicken with wide belt noodles, spicy and flavorful.

Day 6: Kuitun → Sayram Lake → Yining

- Morning: Drive to Sayram Lake, self-drive around the lake. In summer, see the lake’s blue water meeting the snow mountains; in winter, visit the ice bubble area behind the Pointing Platform to see “champagne pearl” bubbles under the ice.
- Afternoon: Experience sailing on Sayram Lake or horseback riding on the lakeside grassland. Head to Yining by evening.
- Evening: Stroll on Liuxing Street, try handmade ice cream, stay in a characteristic Yining homestay to feel the Ili style.

Day 7: Yining → Nalati Sky Grassland → Nalati

- Morning: Go to Nalati Sky Grassland, take the cable car to the top, see the grassland spread like a green carpet toward the snow mountains. In summer, wildflowers are everywhere; in autumn, the grass turns golden.
- Afternoon: Take photos on the grassland or find a Kazakh yurt to have afternoon tea and experience Kazakh customs.
- Evening: Stay in Nalati town, dinner features Nang Pit Meat, tender and fragrant without gamey taste.

Day 8: Nalati → Duku Highway → Urumqi

- Morning: Return along Duku Highway (open only from June to October), cross Hashilergan Pass, experience “four seasons change” in one day, stop at Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery for sightseeing.
- Afternoon: Arrive in Urumqi, shop for specialties on Hetian Second Street (raisins, almonds), end the trip.

3. Must-Try Food List: Fully Experience Xinjiang’s Local Flavor

1. Hand-Pulled Rice: Golden rice with lamb and carrots, rich in oil fragrance, a signature dish for welcoming guests in Xinjiang.
2. Roasted Buns: Crispy outside, filling of diced lamb and onions, juicy when bitten, best freshly baked near the Grand Bazaar.
3. Big Plate Chicken: Chicken stewed until tender, served with wide belt noodles mixed with sauce, spicy and fresh, a favorite for group meals.
4. Fried Meat Mixed Noodles: Chewy pulled noodles mixed with fried meat slices and green peppers, served with a clove of garlic, a daily staple for Xinjiang people.
5. Nang Pit Meat: Lamb roasted on the wall of the nang pit, crispy outside, tender meat inside, Nanmen Old Ma Nang Pit Meat is highly praised.
6. Handmade Yogurt: Sweet and sour, thick texture, sprinkled with sugar or honey, refreshing and aids digestion, often homemade and gifted by homestay owners.

4. Pitfalls to Avoid and Tips

1. Be cautious buying specialty products in scenic spots: Raisins and cut cake inside scenic areas are 30% more expensive than in the city. It is recommended to buy on Hetian Second Street or in large supermarkets.
2. Respect local customs: Remove shoes when entering mosques, avoid wearing shorts or skirts; use the right hand when accepting food, do not refuse the host’s tea or snacks casually.
3. Photography precautions: Ask for permission before photographing local residents; do not trample vegetation on the grassland; avoid climbing yardang landforms in Devil City.
4. Time difference and communication: Xinjiang is 2 hours behind mainland China, adjust your schedule accordingly; some mountainous areas have weak signals, download offline maps in advance.