What's the most popular attractions in Xinjiang?

Here are the best places to visit in Xinjiang, including: Tianshan Tianchi (“Heavenly Mountain” and “Heavenly Lake”) National Park,Kumtag Desert,Nalati Scenic Area

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Xinjiang

2025 Xinjiang Travel Guide: Weather, Transportation, Popular Attractions, and Everything You Need (Updated 2025 4)

About Xinjiang

Recommended trip: 7–12 day(s)

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Xinjiang Local Travel Guide 2025

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Xinjiang Brief Guide

Situated in the northwest of China, Xinjiang boasts vast lands and diverse cultures, primarily influenced by the Uygur ethnic group. Dating back to its historical roots on the Ancient Silk Road, it offers a rich blend of traditions and is known for its scenic beauty and ethnic diversity. The region is home to some of the most stunning natural attractions in China such as Tianchi Lake, described as the "Pearl of Tianshan" due to its picturesque landscapes and alpine location. Another must-see is Kanas Lake, famous for its shifting colors and serene environment. Furthermore, the Bayanbulak Grassland offers expansive views and is notable for its wildlife, particularly swans. Xinjiang's cuisines offer a vivid taste of its ethnical variety, predominantly featuring Uygur characteristics with staple dishes like the aromatic Xinjiang lamb skewers and the richly flavored Dapanji.

Xinjiang Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Xinjiang is from April to November, as these months feature mild and comfortable weather, ideal for exploring the region's stunning natural landscapes and vibrant culture. During April and June, it offers pleasant temperatures and the blooming beauty of Apricot Valley and Tianchi Lake. From July to August, it is perfect to experience lush grasslands like the Nalati Prairie, while from September to early November, it provides excellent opportunities for photography with stunning autumn colors in areas like Kanas.

Xinjiang Must-try Local Experiences

1. Discover Stunning Natural Lakes At Tianshan Tianchi, take a boat ride across the lake to enjoy the reflection of snow-capped peaks in the clear waters or follow the lakeside trail for views from different perspectives. Over at Kanas Lake, you can hike or bike around, exploring the legends of the lake monster and marveling at the lake’s shifting colors. In autumn, Kanas Lake is a vibrant tapestry of color, like a scene from a fairy tale. 2. Horseback Adventure on Nalati Grassland Rent a horse on the vast Nalati Grassland and follow a guide through endless green pastures. Along the way, you might encounter herdsmen with their livestock, bringing you closer to the rhythms of nature. 3. Watch a Traditional Uyghur Dance Performance Catch a lively Uyghur dance performance in Urumqi or Kashgar to experience the energy of the music and dance, immersing yourself in the heart of Uyghur culture. 4. Visit the Ancient City of Kashgar Stroll through the Ancient City of Kashgar, visiting traditional workshops and experiencing the authentic Uyghur lifestyle. The area is steeped in a rich historical and cultural atmosphere. 5. Join the Turpan Grape Festival Held around August, Turpan’s Grape Festival is a major celebration in Xinjiang, featuring vibrant performances and tastings of freshly picked grapes and grape-based delicacies. 6. Attend the Nadam Fair Each summer on the Xinjiang grasslands, the Nadam Fair, a Mongolian festival, offers traditional sports like horse racing, wrestling, and archery, showcasing the allure of nomadic culture. 7. Taste Local Delicacies Xinjiang cuisine is a must-try, with specialties like roast lamb, big plate chicken, pilaf, and baked buns. Savor the intense spices and unique cooking methods, experiencing the essence of Xinjiang’s food culture. 8. Shopping at the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar Visit Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, where you’ll find a vibrant mix of ethnic culture, handmade crafts, and regional delicacies. 9. Experience the Seasonal Beauty of Sayram Lake In early spring, Sayram Lake dazzles with the rare “ice push” phenomenon; in summer, wildflowers bloom along its grassy shores. Autumn sunsets cast a golden glow over the shimmering lake and amber fields, while winter brings endless blue ice and snow-capped mountains for a picture-perfect view. 10. Desert Adventure in Xinjiang Explore the Kumtag or Taklamakan Deserts, where you can join desert adventures like off-road driving, camel riding, and camping to experience the vast beauty and mystery of the dunes. 11. Winter Skiing in Xinjiang Head to Altay or Tianshan ski resorts in winter to enjoy the thrill of skiing and the enchanting winter scenery of Xinjiang’s snowy landscapes.

Xinjiang Transportation

Xinjiang can be accessed via international flights to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, which connects with numerous cities worldwide. Additionally, it's well-connected by train from major Chinese cities, as well as international rail routes from Kazakhstan. Traveling by road or internal flights within Xinjiang is feasible for exploring the region further.

Xinjiang Best cities to visit

Kashi, also known as Kashgar, is a city in China’s extreme west, very close to the Tajikistan border. It is situated in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, home to China’s Muslim Uygur ethnic minority. Because of the Muslim influence, the city is very different from others in China. It is home to China’s largest mosques. Famous sites include the Id Kah Mosque and the Abakh Khoja Tomb. Although there are a few specific tourist attractions and activities, the unique culture and lifestyle of the local people are an extremely interesting and spiritual experience.

Xinjiang Useful Guide

For self-drive tours in Xinjiang, ensure your vehicle is well-maintained and adapt your driving to local traffic rules and conditions. Always carry essential emergency numbers: police (110), fire department (119), medical emergencies (120), and traffic police (122). Be cautious during driving as unexpected delays and strict security checks might occur. Always keep your travel and identity certificates handy, as local authorities may conduct checks.

Trip.Best: Xinjiang

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Top 19 Premium Hotels in Xinjiang

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Popular Best Things to Do in Xinjiang

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Top 6 Family Hotels in Xinjiang

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Top 3 Night Attractions in Xinjiang

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Top 12 Scenic Hotels in Xinjiang

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Top 6 Family-friendly Attractions in Xinjiang

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Popular Cultural Hotels in Xinjiang

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Popular Spring Outings in Xinjiang

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Top 6 Instagrammable Hotels in Xinjiang

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Top 3 Skiing Attractions in Xinjiang

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Popular Vacation Homes in Xinjiang

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Top 4 Hot Springs Attractions in Xinjiang

Popular Destinations

More Popular Destinations

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Sayram Lake

Kanas

Hemu Scenic Area

Urumqi

Nalati Scenic Area

Northern Xinjiang

Bayanbulak Grassland

Ocoa Sea Breeze Scenic Area

Things to do in Xinjiang

What to Do

Looking for things to do in Xinjiang? We provide up-to-date info on everything from must-see scenic spots to local hangouts.

Where to Stay

Discover the most popular places to stay in Xinjiang, complete with recommendations from fellow travelers and special hotel offers

What to Eat

Want to eat like a local? Don't miss out on these top Xinjiang dishes and foodie spots.

Xinjiang Moments: Through Travelers' Eyes

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Not a foreign country! This is Urumqi, Xinjiang.

ExploreWithEva

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Winter in Urumqi, Kanas, and Turpan is breathtaking

FABIAN POOLE

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Xinjiang Travel Guide | Just back from Xinjiang, this guide is super practical!

HarmonieBrise111

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I've been to Kashgar many times, and it never fails to impress me!

ChristianPedersen

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Sayram Lake is really next level... It's too beautiful to be real.

Abigail Ashford

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6-Day Changji Tour Itinerary - Save Now!

FELIX POWELL

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First trip to Altay? Just follow this itinerary! Inspired by a song to visit a city

?toileMatin555

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Ili, Xinjiang: March to May is not recommended. Here's why...

OliviaMcPhee28

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What People Are Saying About Xinjiang

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The Xinjiang Museum

_We***68

Teacher Liu Jing's explanation was lively and interesting. We had to catch a plane, and Teacher Liu Jing also explained to us as much as possible about Xinjiang's history and culture in a limited time, which laid a good foundation for our subsequent trip to southern Xinjiang. It was a pity that the mummy museum was closed for maintenance.

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Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar

倩ang🍓🍉🍑🍒

If you want to immersive feel the Xinjiang style, the Xinjiang International Bazaar is a treasure place that must be visited. Stepping into the Grand Bazaar is like a head into the lively Uighur life picture. The architecture here is very ethnic, with the domes and minarets with beautiful colors and exquisite carvings, full of exotic customs. The stalls are dense and full of good things, the handmade carpet is exquisitely textured, the fine needles hide the craftsman's heart; the cold light of the Ingisha knife shimmers, the pattern of the knife body is delicate and unique, practical and artistic. The air is filled with the aroma of gourmet food, the outer skin of the roasted buns is crispy, bite, and the fresh fragrance of the lamb is instantly blooming on the tip of the tongue; the aroma of the roast mutton skewers, fresh and juicy, each mouth is the ultimate temptation for the taste buds. In addition, there are happy national singing and dancing performances, the dancers are enthusiastic and lively, and the melody is lively, so people can't help but dance. Come to Xinjiang International Bazaar and enjoy the enthusiasm and beauty of Xinjiang in one stop.

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Xiang Fei Park

86338633

Xiangfei Garden is a scenic spot with the theme of "Xiangfei" culture in Kashgar, Xinjiang. Xiangfei Garden is located on the east side of Kashgar city. Its architectural style cleverly combines national characteristics🕌 with modern elements🏛. Through the three levels of hometown, former residence and old friends, it vividly tells the legendary experience of Xiangfei👸 from birth to death, from Kashgar to Beijing⛳, from Princess Xiangxiang to the beloved one🌈 The main tomb chamber of Xiangfei's tomb is the largest dome-style building in Xinjiang. It is made entirely of soil and plaster without a single beam or column. The exterior wall is made of dark green glazed bricks, interspersed with yellow and blue tiles, and it is more than 300 years old. There are also various colorful decorations and scripture aphorisms, which is also a typical decorative technique of Muslims. - It is said that the glazed bricks on the exterior wall that do not fade are original, and those that fade are repaired in modern times. 🕘【Opening hours】: 09:30-20:30 open

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Ancient City of Kashgar

86338633

In the center of the city with a lot of land and gold, there is a large natural space, covering a total area of more than 40 square meters. If you develop real estate and calculate the surrounding house prices, it is really worth a lot. The famous Xiangmi Lake rich area, you know it naturally. In turn, Xiangmi Park is also a hard indicator of the surrounding sky-high housing market the park near the most beautiful (one). The park connects sports and leisure, mountain orchard, ecological water system, and flower life through leisure trails, ecological water system and air plank road, and there are public buildings such as flower expo park, sports center, wedding hall, nature book bar. Trees, shrubs, ground quilts and other plant varieties, the wedding hall is connected to a large rose garden, flower lake, nectar lake, water quality is clear.

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Xinjiang Kanas National Geopark

Anonymous User

My Altay scenic spot is directly closed in winter. It looks good and beautiful. You must pay attention to safety when driving. The traffic police are serious and responsible. The snow is cleared quickly. The price inside can be hit a little bit. It is a bit expensive.

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Hemu Scenic Area

新疆旅游姜宏伟

The back garden of Hemu God, this is a wonderland on earth, so that every customer will linger, this group of photos is just a corner of his, winter Hemu. Guests from the south will deeply experience the beautiful frozen people in winter.

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Liuxing Street

峻诚爱旅行

When I came to Xinjiang to travel, I was very impressed by Yining's Six Star Street! Stepping into Six Star Street, it seems to be stepping into a fairy tale town full of exotic customs. The block is centered on the central square, and the six main roads radiate around it, forming a unique hexagonal layout, which is fascinating enough. The architecture here is very distinctive, with European, Russian and Central Asian styles blending. Colored exterior walls, carved doors and windows, every detail is full of stories. Walking among them, the street handicraft shops are dazzling, exquisite carpets, exquisite wood carvings, each one is loveable. There are also various specialty snack bars, roasted buns, handmade ice cream, unique flavors bloom on the tip of the tongue, and it is super satisfying. At the end of the street, you can hear the melodious accordion from time to time. The local residents are hospitable and will take the initiative to greet and chat with tourists and share interesting life. Here, time seems to slow down, people full-heartedly immersed in the comfort and leisure, enjoy this rare tranquility and beauty, really an unforgettable play experience.

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Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area In Ancient City of Yili

希望之家

The room is very nice, unique and clean. It feels like home. The boss is also very nice. He is very warm and considerate to guests. He made us feel very cordial and brought us the warmth of home during the tiring journey. In short, it is very nice. I recommend everyone to go and experience it!

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Flaming Mountain Scenic Area

kireey

See the big travels to the west from a young age. I came here after looking for your footsteps. Artificial scenic spots. All you see are made manually, and naturally only the temperature here and the altitude here. Come experience the temperature in summer. Come punch a card in winter. Free choice.

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Grape Valley In Turpain

pas***de

The grape ditch is still very fun, you can rent a three- or two-wheel battery car in the visitor center to save time and effort. Children are also happy. After going to the northernmost exit, you can also take the high-altitude water slide and slide down all the way before re-entering the park to pick up the car. On the return trip, eat at the local residents' own small shop, and the kebabs are extremely delicious.