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Xinjiang Destination Guide

From the birch and log cabins of Kanas to the mud-brick lanes of Kashgar and the glaciers of the Pamir — six core destinations with best season, altitude, transport and highlights.

KanasBest mid-Sep to early Oct

Kanas · Hemu Kanas · Hemu

The king of northern autumn. The Three Bays from Fish-Viewing Pavillion, Hemu's morning mist and Tuva home visits are a photographer's annual pilgrimage.

Alt 1,374 m
From Urumqi 700 km
Ideal 3-9 days
Permit Baihaba needs one
  • Three Bays morning mist
  • Hemu birch trek & Tuva visit
  • Five-Colored Beach sunset
24 toursPhoto tour

Ili Valley Ili Valley

"Xinjiang's Jiangnan". Nalati Sky Grassland, Zhaosu rapeseed, Tekes Bagua city, the Xita trail and Kalajun's rolling meadows — the best of grassland and flowers.

Alt 600-2,500 m
From Yining / Urumqi
Ideal 5-8 days
Bloom June
  • Nalati horse ride & yurt tea
  • Zhaosu rapeseed & horse stampede
  • Kalajun sunrise & Qongkushtak trek
32 toursFamily trip
IliBest June-August
Sayram LakeBest June-September

Sayram Lake Sayram Lake

"The last tear of the Atlantic" — a 2,071 m alpine lake with a 90 km loop, deep blue water and snow-mountain reflections.

Alt 2,071 m
Loop 90 km
Ideal 1-2 days
Play Cycling / drive
  • Dianjiangtai & west-meadow sunsets
  • Lakeside cycling, swans
  • Pair with Guozigou Bridge & lavender
18 toursSee itinerary

Kashgar Old City Kashgar

"No trip to Xinjiang is complete without Kashgar." A living fossil of the Silk Road: mud-brick lanes, Id Kah Mosque, the gate-opening ceremony and a century-old teahouse.

Alt 1,290 m
From Kashgar airport
Ideal 2-8 days
Culture Uyghur heartland
  • Old City gate ceremony & Gaotai night
  • Id Kah Mosque & teahouse
  • Artisan bazaar, Yengisar knives
21 toursSilk Road culture
Kashgar Old CityBest September-October
PamirYear-round, best May-Oct

Pamir Plateau Pamir Plateau

The western roof of the world. Karakul Lake mirrors Muztagh Ata; the Panlong Road, Wakhan corridor, Stone Fort and Tajik culture await.

Alt 3,000-4,2,00 m
From Kashgar 290 km
Ideal 3-7 days
Permit Required
  • Karakul Lake & Muztagh Glacier Park
  • Panlong Road, Wakhan, Stone Fort
  • Tajik family visit, yak hotpot
12 toursAltitude help

Turpan · Tianshan Pool Turpan · Tianshan Pool

The eastern Silk Road gate and the "Jewel of Tianshan": Jiaohe ruins, karez wells, Grape Valley, Flaming Mountains, plus the alpine lake beneath Bogda Peak.

Alt -154 / 1,980 m
From Urumqi 1-2 h
Ideal 1-3 days
Season Apr-May / Sep-Oct
  • Tianshan Pool & Bogda reflection
  • Jiaohe ruins, karez, Grape Valley
  • Flaming Mountains in summer
9 toursGrand loop
Tianshan spruceBest Apr-May / Sep-Oct

Getting around Xinjiang

TRANSPORT & TIPS

Flights

Urumqi Diwobao is the main hub; Kashgar, Yining and Altay also have airports. Book 30 days ahead in peak season.

Rail

The Lanxin high-speed line reaches Hami, Turpan and Urumqi; the southern line reaches Kashgar and Hotan.

Self-drive / charter

The Dushanzi Highway opens June-October. Charter with us includes driver, fuel and tolls.

Time zone

Xinjiang runs ~2 hours behind Beijing time; summer sunset is after 22:00, so evenings are long.

Destination FAQ

When is the best time to visit Xinjiang?

June to October overall: June for flowers, July-August for grasslands, mid-September to early October for Kanas autumn gold. The south is visitable year-round.

Do I need a border permit?

Border areas such as Baihaba, Tashkurgan and Khunjerab need a permit with your ID; we arrange it for about CNY 60 with 5 working days' notice.

How far apart are the sights?

Xinjiang is vast — Urumqi to Sayram Lake is about 560 km and to Kanas about 700 km. Most routes average 3-5 hours of driving a day.

Will I get altitude sickness on the Pamir?

Viewpoints are 3,000-4,200 m. High-altitude tours include an onboard doctor, oxygen and first-aid, with gradual ascent.