Xinjiang Destinations | Places to Visit in Xinjiang 2024

Taklamakan Desert Scenery © 托尼star / mafengwo

Taklamakan Desert Highway © CrazyWolfkin / mafengwo

Taklamakan Desert (Taklimakan Desert) is the largest desert in China and it covers about 20% of a total area of Xinjiang, equaling to the same size as Shanghai. Located in the center of Tarim Basin, it starts from Korla in the East, Kashgar in the west, Hotan in the South, and Aksu in the north.

There are two national roads - G217 and G216 crossing it. G217 is the famous Duku (Dushanzi-Kucha) Road, which passes through many beautiful tourist attractions (including Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Nalati Grassland, Bayanbulak Grassland, Tianshan Mystery Grand Canyon, etc.) and is known as Landscape Road Along the Spine of the Tianshan Mountains. G216, starting from Altay and reaching Baluntai Town in Bayingolin, is the other project to conquer the Desert of Death. Apart from Taklamakan Desert, it also passes through Gurbantunggut Desert. No matter which road you choose to drive on, you can get a wonderful journey across Taklamakan Desert.

Apart from a driving journey, it is also available to enjoy the desert view of Taklamakan in Luobu People's village. The local culture and folk customs in the village also deserve your time.

• • Recommended Trip Length: 1-2 days
• • Best Time to Visit: May to October

Human Grassland in Karajun Grassland © 雨中筑梦/meipian

Beautiful Apricot Valley in Spring © 橙小橙橙/mafengwo

Though not as famous as other top destinations in Xinjiang, Ili (Yili in Chinese pinyin) is a fairyland to escape the bustle of the city and indulge in nature. With plenty of rainfall and humid weather, it is praised as the Wet Island in the Green Sea. The coverage rate of its grassland and forest vegetation reaches 67.7%. Visiting Ili in June ~ October, you will not only savor the captivating landscape, but also enjoy a buffet of fruits.

When speaking of Ili, many travelers may think of a painting with vast grasslands. Nalati Grassland, praised as grassland in the sky, is one of the most beautiful grasslands in China. With endless ridges stretching to the sky, Nalati Grassland gives you quite a different appearance from the flat grassland in Inner Mongolia. Karajun Grassland is an alpine grassland worthy of 1 ~ 2 days' time. Though it is less-known among tourists, the human grassland view makes everyone unforgettable. Tangbula Grassland and Zhaosu Grassland are two other top grassland in Ili, and the peak season to visit them is summer. Besides grassland, you can visit Guozigou Valley to see the majestic bridge, Apricot Valley (blooming in March to early May)to appreciate a large sea of wild apricot flowers. Some travelers also get to Sayram Lake from Ili because of the close distance.

• • Recommended Trip Length: 2-3 days
• • Best Time to Visit: May to October, especially June to August

Sayram Lake in Summer © slmhjq

Snow-capped Peaks in Sayram © travelxj

Literally meaning “silver grassland” in Mongol, Bortala is a low-key destination embraced on three sides by mountains. Due to its special geographic position, it is endowed with four distinct seasons and features seasonal scenery.

Most travelers visit Bortala to view the incredible scenic splendor of Sayram Lake - Xiniang's largest alpine lake and largest lake above sea level. There are famous scenes telling the best sightseeing that you can enjoy in your Sayram trip. In addition to the lake view, you can feast your eyes on the verdant forests, snow-capped peaks, thriving grasslands, colorful flowers. If you want to enjoy the best scenery at the best time, we suggest you visit Sayram Lake in May ~ September, especially in summer (June ~ August) when the subalpine meadows are full of wild flowers in different colors. In order to offer you an efficient experience, you can choose different ways to travel around the lake, including sightseeing car, biking and self-driving. Except for Sayram Lake, you can visit Aibi Lake to savor the unique wetland landscape, Guaishi Valley (Strange Stone Valley) to admire lots of oddly-shaped rocks and Bortala Museum to take a view of local history, culture and folk customs.

• • Recommended Trip Length: 1-2 days
• • Best Time to Visit: May to October, especially June to September

Heavenly Lake of Tianshan © 陈巍伟 / mafengwo

Jiangbulak Grassland © 过客 / mafengwo

Changji is located at the northern foot of Tianshan Mountains and the southeastern edge of the Junggar Basin. Bordering Mongolia in the northeast, it is the place that the new north route of the Silk Road to central Asia and European countries must pass through.

Changji has unique tourist resources attracting numerous visitors. The top attraction in Changji is Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain (Tianchi)- a UNSCO World Natural Heritage site. The biggest highlight of Tianchi is its natural landscape consisting of lakes, snow peaks, forests, valleys, glaciers, etc. It is available to take a boat to closely see the crystal clean water or take a cable car to Mount Maya to catch a panoramic view of the lake and surrounding peaks. Jiangbulak Scenic Area, located in Qitai County, is another beautiful place to appreciate the natural view. It has 7 water pools in the main scenic area which look like the Big Dipper from a distance. Another splendid sight in Qitai County is Mulei Populous Euphratica Forest for the amazing populus euphratica forest sightseeing and splendid autumn colors. If you want to see more wild nature, Gurbantunggut Desert is recommended. Though it is a primitive, barren and borderless desert, it hosts a natural botanical garden with some desert plants.

• • Recommended Trip Length: 1-2 days
• • Best Time to Visit: All year round, especially May to October

Karamay Ghost City © 阿拉斯古 / mafengwo

Dushanzi Grand Canyon © 飞翔 / mafengwo

Meaning black oil in Uighur, Karamay is named after Heiyou Mountain (Black Oil Mountain) which is the place where the important oil seedlings outcrops in the oil field. As the first oil fields were exploited here, Karamay became a modern city. However, it is not only a city with abundant oil resources, but also an awesome tourist destination with rich tourist resources.

Among Xinjiang's destinations, Karamay must be one of the best places to delight your eyes on unique scenery and get some excellent shots. Karamay Ghost City (Wuerhe Ghost City) is a jaw-dropping Geopark getting its name because the winds and sandstorms roar through the rock like howling ghosts. Many shutterbugs are attracted here to photograph the unique Yardang landform which was formed by wind and rain after millennia. Photographers who visit Karamay seldom skip Dushanzi Grand Canyon which is recognized as the Most Beautiful Road in China by National Geographic. The most striking sight of Dushanzi Grand Canyon is the weathered mud sculpture on the cliffs on both sides of the river. If you travel to Karamay in October, don't miss Wu'erhe Populus Euphratica Forest which is just about 30 km away from Karamay City. Entering this old forest, you will be surprised by this rare species with thick trunks, featured branches and golden leaves.

• • Recommended Trip Length: 2-3 days
• • Best Time to Visit: May to early October

Kucha Palace © 在路上... / mafengwo

Cave No.8 of Kizil Caves © 悦目赏心de古风遗韵 / Sina Blog

Aksu is located at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the northern edge of the Tarim Basin. It is named after the Aksu River. The Aksu area not only has beautiful natural scenery, but also has a cultural landscape with ethnic characteristics. The "Quchi Ancient Kingdom" site in the 36 countries of the Western Regions is in Kucha (Kuche, Kuqa) - travelers' favorite destination in Aksu. The ancient Silk Road also passes through Aksu and many cultural heritage sites can be found here.

In Kucha, there are more than 50 historical & cultural sites. Kumurula Caves is a big Buddhist caves group dating from the 5th to the 11th centuries. There are 112 cave temples survived and the murals on the walls of the caves show both western style and local artistic style. Kucha Palace is the place where the last prince of the country lived. Here, visitors can get a glimpse of the prince's demeanor, and listen to the prince's story. Other historical sites include Qiuche Ancient City Ruins, Kucha Grand Temple, Ruins of Subashi Buddhist Temple, etc. The natural wonders in Kucha are also remarkable. Kucha Grand Canyon covered by reddish brown rock in various shapes is rather majestic and precipitous. Kizilya with the peculiar mountain peaks really shows the power of nature. In addition to Kucha, there are many other places to visit in Aksu, including Kizil Caves of the Thousand Buddhas - the Earliest Buddhist Grottoes in China, nearly 260 years earlier than Dunhuang Mogao Caves. There are 339 Buddhist caves preserved and 6 caves are open to tourists.

• • Recommended Trip Length: 2-3 days
• • Best Time to Visit: May to October

Barkol Lake © travelxj

Dahaidao Yardang Landscape © travelxj

As an important town on the ancient Silk Road, Hami enjoys a long history and culture as well as attractive humanities and natural landscape. It combines the nature and climate of both Northern and Southern Xinjiang, and was praised as the Microcosm of Xinjiang. Hami is an oasis in the desert to taste sweet fruits (especially sweet cantaloupes and grapes) because of the long sunshine duration. Located in the eastern part of Xinjiang, it is also the gateway of inland China to Xinjiang. It is a classic tour from Lanzhou to Urumqi via Xining, Zhangye, Dunhuang, Hami and Turpan.

The attractions in Hami won't disappoint you. Dahaidao is where you must visit if you want to explore the ancient castles, beacons, post stations, prehistoric human settlements, fossil mountains, and many other geographical landforms like nowhere else in the world. Barkol Prairie, the second largest grassland in Xinjiang, is a good place for summer resorts. There are endlessly-stretching mountains, green grassland, fresh air and flocks of herds and sheep, etc. Hami Tianshan Scenic Area is another place to admire the painting-like natural landscape, including ice glaciers, forests, grasslands, as well as singing sand mountains. For a better probe into the past of Hami, go to the informative Hami Museum to see the numerous collections including cultural relics from primitive society to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

• • Recommended Trip Length: 1-2 days
• • Best Time to Visit: May to October