Xinjiang is an autonomous region in northwest China, full of exotic charm. It boasts magnificent natural scenery, rich ethnic culture, and unparalleled culinary experiences. Whether it’s the snow capped peaks of the Tianshan Mountains, the lakes of Kanas, or the old town charm of Kashgar, they all leave people lingering.

✨ Highlights of the Itinerary
·Multicultural Experience: Xinjiang is home to multiple ethnic groups, including Uyghur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and others. You can experience unique ethnic minority cultures, appreciate ethnic songs and dances, and taste authentic cuisine.
·Magnificent natural scenery: From snow capped mountains and lakes to deserts and grasslands, Xinjiang has diverse natural landscapes. Kanas Lake, Tianshan Tianchi, Taklamakan Desert and other natural wonders are not to be missed.
·History of the Silk Road: As an important passage of the ancient Silk Road, Xinjiang has rich historical relics, such as Jiaohe Ancient City, Gaochang Ancient City, and Kizil Thousand Buddha Cave.

📌 Basic Information
Project Information
The best time is from May to October (July to September is the best, with pleasant weather and fragrant fruits)
Suggested itinerary for the Northern Xinjiang Ring Road is 7-10 days; Deep cultural tour of southern Xinjiang for 10-14 days; The Xinjiang Ring Road takes 15-20 days
The budget reference daily cost is about 400-600 yuan (excluding round-trip transportation)
Climate characteristics: large temperature difference between day and night, strong ultraviolet radiation, and dry climate
The time difference is based on Beijing time, but the actual schedule is about 2 hours later than in the eastern region
🗓️ Xinjiang itinerary plan
Xinjiang has a vast area and scattered scenic spots, so it is crucial to plan the route reasonably. You can refer to the following ideas to arrange your itinerary:

flowchart TD
Trip [Xinjiang itinerary planning]
Subgraph RouteChoice
North [Northern Xinjiang Natural Scenery Line]
South [Southern Xinjiang Cultural and Folk Line]
Full [Xinjiang Ring Road]
end
North -->N_Plan [7-10 days<br>Urumqi ->Tianshan Tianchi ->Keketuohai -><br>Kanas ->Hemu ->Sailimu Lake ->Yili]

South -->S Plan [10-14 days<br>Urumqi ->Korla ->Kuche ->Aksu -><br>Kashgar ->Tashkurgan ->Hotan]

Full -->F_Plan [15-20 days<br>combined with the essence scenic spots of the southern and northern Xinjiang<br>suitable for tourists with plenty of time]
Trip --> RouteChoice

🚌 mode of transportation
How to reach Xinjiang
·Airplane: Urumqi Diwobao International Airport (URC) is a major aviation hub in Xinjiang, with direct flights to major cities in China and some international cities.
·Train: There are multiple railway lines connecting Xinjiang and the mainland, including the Lanzhou Xinjiang high-speed railway, which takes about 9 hours from Lanzhou to Urumqi.
local transportation
·Charter/self driving: the most flexible mode of transportation, suitable for multiple people to travel. Please note that Xinjiang has strict speed limits, and some remote areas require a border defense certificate.
·Long distance bus: connecting major cities, affordable but time-consuming.
·Domestic flights: connecting Urumqi with Kashgar, Yining, Altay and other places, suitable for passengers with limited time.

💰 Travel budget
The following table lists the estimated main expenses for the trip to Xinjiang (calculated in RMB, for reference only):
Expense category: Economic (about/person) Comfort (about/person) Remarks
Accommodation (per night) 150-300 400-800 for youth hostels/economy hotels/mid to high end hotels or specialty homestays
Catering (daily) 80-150 150-300 snack stalls, noodles/including specialty meals, restaurant dining
Transportation costs range from 200-400/day to 500-800/day for charter or self driving (shared among 4 people)
Tourist attraction tickets are generally higher in Xinjiang, with prices ranging from 100-200/day to 200-300/day
The total (10 days) is approximately 4300-10500, approximately 9500-19000. The above is a rough estimate, excluding major transportation to and from Xinjiang.
Budget saving tips:
·Transportation: Choose carpooling or public transportation instead of chartering a car.
·Accommodation: Choose accommodation outside the scenic area, which is usually much cheaper than inside the scenic area.
·Catering: Try local snacks and night markets, such as grilled buns, rice dumplings, mixed noodles, etc., which are both delicious and affordable.
·Admission: Some scenic spots offer discounts for students, the elderly, etc. Remember to bring relevant documents.

🏔️ Main attractions and recommended activities
Natural Scenery of Northern Xinjiang
·Kanas Lake: Known as a “fairyland on earth”, the lake’s color changes with the seasons and weather. You can take a cruise or hike along the lake.
·Hemu Village: Tuwa People’s Village, with golden white birch forests and morning mist forming a beautiful painting in autumn.
·Sailimu Lake: The highest and largest mountain lake in Xinjiang, with clear and blue water.
·Nalati Grassland: One of the four major grasslands in the world, with wildflowers blooming in summer and herds of cattle and sheep.
·Tian Shan Tian Chi: The highest mountain lake closest to Urumqi, with snow capped peaks reflecting and spectacular scenery.
Cultural customs and traditions of southern Xinjiang
·Kashgar Old Town: Full of Uyghur charm, maze like alleys and traditional civil architecture worth exploring.
·Pamir Plateau: Along the way, you can enjoy snow capped mountains such as Mount Mustag and Mount Gonggeer, and experience Tajik culture.
·Taklamakan Desert: the world’s second largest mobile desert, where you can experience desert road crossing and desert camping.
·Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves: The earliest large-scale grotto group excavated in China, with extremely high Buddhist artistic value.
·Hotan: It is famous for jade and silk. You can visit Hotan Jade Jade Market and big mulberry trees.
unique experience
·International Bazaar (Urumqi): Purchase Xinjiang specialties such as dried fruits, carpets, handicrafts, etc.
·Ethnic Song and Dance Performance: Appreciate traditional performances such as the Uyghur “Twelve Muqam”.
·Desert Off road: Experience thrilling off-road vehicle sand flushing in the Taklamakan Desert.
·Tasting grapes in Grape Valley: Taste various fresh grapes under the grape trellis in Turpan Grape Valley.

🍜 Culinary experience
Xinjiang cuisine combines the characteristics of Central Asian and Halal cuisine:
·Barbecue: Xinjiang Mutton shashlik is famous throughout the country, and its meat is tender and juicy.
·Pan Pan Chicken: Xinjiang specialty dish, stewed chicken with potatoes and chili, served with wide noodles.
·Braised rice: made from lamb, carrots, onions, and rice, with a strong aroma.
·Blended noodles (pulled strips): Hand drawn noodles, paired with various stir fried dishes.
·Nang: a staple food in Xinjiang, with various flavors and shapes, and a long shelf life.
·Melons and Fruits: Xinjiang is known as the “Hometown of Melons and Fruits”, with Turpan grapes, Hami melons, Korla pears, and other sweet fruits.

🏨 Accommodation recommendations
·Urumqi: As a transportation hub, it offers a wide range of choices, from international chain hotels to budget hotels.
·Kanas/Hemu: Most of them are wooden homestays, with higher prices but the opportunity to experience local characteristics.
·Kashgar: There are unique homestays in the old city area, and you can also choose hotels in the new city.
·Desert area: You can experience desert camping, but protective measures need to be taken.
⚠️ Practical Information and Suggestions
·Essential items:
·Sunscreen: High magnification sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat.
·Protection: lipstick, moisturizing skin care products (dry climate).
·Clothing: Due to the large temperature difference between day and night, even in summer, it is necessary to prepare a jacket; Winter requires warm clothing such as down jackets.
·Medications: Commonly used drugs such as gastrointestinal medicine, cold medicine, and motion sickness medicine.
·Safety Tip:
·Most areas in Xinjiang are safe, but it is still necessary to pay attention to the safekeeping of property.
·Respect local ethnic customs and religious beliefs, and pay attention to clothing and behavior inside the mosque.
·Some border areas require border defense certificates, please inquire in advance for processing.
·Network and Communication: Urban areas have good network coverage, but remote mountainous areas and deserts may have weaker signals.
·Language: Mandarin is commonly used, but in some areas of southern Xinjiang, Uyghur is more commonly used. Learning a few simple Uyghur greetings can be helpful.

💎 summary
Xinjiang is a place that requires time to savor slowly. It is recommended to choose the northern, southern, or entire Xinjiang route based on personal interests and time. Northern Xinjiang focuses mainly on natural scenery, while southern Xinjiang places more emphasis on cultural experiences.
No matter which route you choose, the magnificent scenery, diverse culture, and delicious food of Xinjiang will leave a deep impression on you. By planning and preparing in advance, you can enjoy an unforgettable trip to Xinjiang!