Summer in Xinjiang: A Must-Visit Guide

Anyone who misses the summer in Xinjiang will make me sad. Some say The summer in Xinjiang is the whisper of the wind and the wilderness Wildflowers, lakes, grasslands, and snow-capped mountains all in one frame It’s the feeling of freedom Every scene in Xinjiang’s summer Is more enchanting than a fairy tale If you only have 7 days Consider prioritizing these 5️⃣ must-visit places: 【Sayram Lake】🌊 The last tear of the Atlantic: Summer wildflowers paired with the azure lake, blue skies, and white clouds—it’s simply breathtaking. 【Xiata】🏔 The whisper of ancient trails and snow-capped mountains: Hike through forest pastures and get up close to Muzart Glacier. In summer, wildflowers carpet the banks of the Xiata River. Stay overnight to witness the stunning golden sunrise and starry skies over the snow-capped mountains.🌌 【Qiongkushitai】🏡 A primitive pastoral village in the clouds: Kazakh wooden houses scattered across rolling green grasslands. Lie among the wildflowers on the hillside and watch the sunset. 【Kuerdening】🐂 The green maze of the king of spruces: Snow-capped spruce trees cast slanted light in the forest, with clear views of Kabambayi Peak in the distance. Be sure to hike to the mountaintop platform for an incredibly open view. 【Nalati Grassland】🌳 The poetic lines of the aerial grassland: A well-developed grassland scenic area with undeniably beautiful views. However, it’s getting more crowded. It’s recommended to visit the nomadic family spots directly. Go when there are fewer people for a better experience. ❤️Personal priority ranking: 🌊Sayram Lake≥🏔Xiata>🐂Kuerdening>🏡Qiongkushitai>🌳Nalati Grassland 🧾Travel tips: ✅Signal in Xinjiang is generally weak; for self-driving, download offline maps in advance ✅The summer UV rays are strong; physical sun protection is recommended ✅To avoid traffic jams, consider following my reverse route, starting from Nalati Grassland. Less congestion ✅Good weather is crucial; Xinjiang on a sunny day is simply divine ⚠️Summer in Xinjiang is peak season, and flights and hotels are relatively expensive. It’s recommended to plan ahead for a better travel experience. 🚗Here’s my 7-day itinerary (for reference): day❶: Urumqi - Duku Highway - Stay in Nalati Town day❷: Nalati Grassland - Stay in Xinyuan day❸: Xinyuan - Kuerdening - Stay in Tekesi Bagua City day❹: Tekesi Bagua City - Qiongkushitai - Stay in Qiongkushitai day❺: Qiongkushitai - Xiata - Stay in Xiata day❻: Xiata - Sayram Lake - Stay in Sayram Lake day❼: Sayram Lake - Return to Urumqi