"Enjoy sweet fruits while watching cattle and sheep graze!"

Here's a brief Xinjiang travel guide: ⌚⌚ Best Time to Travel May - September (Northern Xinjiang): Lush grasslands in summer, Kanas Lake and the Ili flower sea are at their most beautiful. June - October (Southern Xinjiang): Fragrant fruits, cultural landscapes, and desert scenery complement each other, perfect for experiencing local customs. Winter (November - March): Skiing in Altay, blue ice at Sailimu Lake, fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, suitable for adventure lovers. 🌈🌈 Must-See Attractions Northern Xinjiang (Mainly Natural Scenery): Kanas Lake: A mysterious alpine lake, with colorful forests in autumn and a fairytale world of ice in winter. Hemu Village: A Tuvan village where the small wooden houses in the morning mist resemble a fairyland. Sailimu Lake: "The Last Tear of the Atlantic," surrounded by a sea of flowers in summer. Nalati Grassland: A blend of aerial and valley grasslands, perfect for horseback riding. Duku Highway: A scenic route with four seasons in one day (open only from June to September). Southern Xinjiang (Culture and Desert Charm): Kashgar Old City: The center of Uyghur culture, with century-old tea houses and exotic handicrafts. Taklamakan Desert: Experience desert off-roading or stargazing camping. Pamir Plateau: Majestic scenery including Muztagh Ata, Karakul Lake, and Panlong Ancient Road. Kuqa Grand Canyon: Red rock canyons comparable to the Colorado canyons in the USA. Eastern Xinjiang (History and Gobi Desert): Turpan: Flaming Mountains, Karez Well, Grape Valley, experience the culture of the "Fire State." Hami: Hami Tombs, Balikun Grassland, the gateway connecting central China and the Western Regions. 🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♂️ Classic Route Planning Northern Xinjiang Grand Ring Road (7-10 days): Urumqi → Tianchi Lake → Keketuohai → Kanas → Hemu → Urho Devil City → Sailimu Lake → Ili Valley → Duku Highway → Urumqi Southern Xinjiang Grand Ring Road (8-12 days): Urumqi → Kashgar → Pamir Plateau (Karakul Lake, Muztagh Ata) → Tashkurgan → Hotan → Minfeng → Desert Highway → Kuqa → Kashgar Ili Valley In-depth Tour (5-7 days): Yining → Sailimu Lake → Huocheng Lavender → Zhaosu Rapeseed Flowers → Kalajun Grassland → Nalati Grassland 🚗🚗 Transportation Airplane: Urumqi Diwopu International Airport is the main hub, with airports also in Kashgar, Yining, and Altay. Train: Convenient rail access in Northern Xinjiang, but some scenic spots require car transfers. Self-drive/Chartered Car: Recommended! Xinjiang's attractions are scattered, so chartering a car or carpooling offers more flexibility (a driver who also acts as a guide is even better). Group Tour: Suitable for those with limited time or first-time visitors. Choose a niche, pure-play group tour for a better experience. 🏠🏠 Accommodation Recommendations Within Scenic Areas: Kanas, Hemu, and Sailimu Lake offer unique homestays or yurts. Book in advance during peak season. City Accommodation: Urumqi, Kashgar, and other cities have a wide range of hotels, from budget-friendly to high-end. Desert Camping: Experience stargazing tents in the Taklamakan or Kumtag Desert (avoid in winter). 🦐🍚 Food Recommendations Must-try List: Dapanji (Big Plate Chicken), Baked Buns, Pilaf, Lamb Skewers, Nang Pit Meat, Banmian (La Tiao Zi), Yogurt Rice Dumplings, Gangzi Meat, Hotan Baked Eggs. Fruits: Turpan Grapes, Hami Melons, Ili Apples, Korla Pears (best from summer to autumn). Drinks: Kvass (honey fermented drink), Xinjiang milk tea, pomegranate juice. ❤️❤️ Important Notes Documents: Carry your ID card at all times. Apply for a border pass in advance for Taxkorgan, Khorgos, etc. Climate: Large temperature difference between day and night. Protect yourself from the sun in summer (hat, sunglasses, SPF50+), and keep warm in winter (down jacket, snow boots). Cultural Respect: Southern Xinjiang has many Muslim communities. Take off your shoes before entering mosques and avoid discussing sensitive topics in public. Safety: Xinjiang is safe, but follow local regulations (such as drone control in no-fly zones). Time Difference: Xinjiang uses Beijing time, but daily life is 2 hours later than in eastern China (e.g., dinner starts around 8:00 pm).