Southern Xinjiang vs. Northern Xinjiang! Which Xinjiang travel script will you choose?

Xinjiang is suitable for year-round tourism, with each season offering unique charms. 🌈 📍 Must-Visit Attractions Revealed - Northern Xinjiang - The Pinnacle of Natural Beauty: Kanas: Autumn is its most glorious season! Golden birch forests contrast with emerald lake waters, and the morning mist at Shenxian Bay is not to be missed. Sayram Lake: Known as the "Last Tear of the Atlantic" in summer, cycling around the lake is incredibly refreshing. Hemu Village: Transforms into a fairytale snow village in winter. Staying in a cabin and gazing at the starry sky and morning mist is incredibly romantic. Nalati Grassland: From May to August, green carpets cover the hillsides. Riding a horse and chasing the sunset is a breathtaking experience. 🐎 Duku Highway: Open only from June to September, allowing you to experience the scenery of four seasons in a single day. 🛣️ - Southern Xinjiang - A Perfect Blend of Culture and Extreme Landscapes: Kashgar Old City: A microcosm of West Asian culture. Enjoying a cup of mint tea in a century-old teahouse is a unique experience. Pamir Plateau: White Sand Lake and Muztagh Ata Peak complement each other, and the plateau's blue ice is stunning. Taklamakan Desert: Cross the "Sea of Death" and capture blockbuster-worthy photos on the desert highway. 🏜️ Kuqa Grand Canyon: A hidden wonderland of red rock formations, with interplay of light and shadow. Taxkorgan Apricot Blossom Village: From March to April, apricot blossoms and snow-capped mountains create a picturesque scene. 🌸 🤔 How to choose for your 1️⃣st visit‼️ 🔸 January-February: Visit Northern Xinjiang to see the stunning blue ice of Sayram Lake. 🔸 Late March-April: Visit Southern Xinjiang to see the apricot blossoms on the Pamir Plateau. 🔸 Early May-June: See the snow-capped mountains, grasslands, forests, and lakes of Ili in Northern Xinjiang. 🔸 July-End of August: Visit Southern Xinjiang to enjoy fruits and avoid the summer crowds. 🔸 Mid-to-Late September-Early October: Visit Kanas in Northern Xinjiang to see the top of the "Top Ten Autumn Colors in China." 🔸 Mid-October-Early November: Visit the Tarim River Basin in Southern Xinjiang to see the golden poplar forests. 🔸 November-February: Visit Northern Xinjiang to see the winter wonderland and go skiing in Altay. ~ 📢 Southern Xinjiang Itinerary Day 1: Shenzhen → Kashgar Day 2: Kashgar → Yingjisha Knife City, Pottery → Shache Old City Day 3: Shache → Dolan Painting Village → N39 Desert → Kashgar Day 4: Kashgar → Lake Karakul → White Sand Lake → Karakul Lake → Kashgar Day 5: Kashgar → Jade Market → Kashgar Old City (Mosque, High Platform Residences, Century-old Teahouse) Day 6: Kashgar → Shenzhen ~ 📢 Northern Xinjiang Itinerary Day 1: Your Cozy Home → Altay Day 2: Altay → Dreamy Kanas Day 3: Kanas → Hemu Day 4: Free day in Hemu Day 5: Watch the sunrise in Hemu → Casual Trip Moments → Burqin → Nang Pit Roasted Whole Fish → Altay Day 6: Altay → Your Warm Home ~ 🚗 Transportation Recommendations Self-driving: Suitable for experienced drivers. Pay attention to restrictions on Duku Highway and Yizhao Highway. Chartered car/carpooling: A worry-free option. Local drivers are familiar with road conditions and hidden attractions. 🚗 Train + short-distance carpooling: Tourist trains from Urumqi to Kanas/Yining are convenient and fast. 🚂 ⚠️ Tips to Avoid Pitfalls: The distances between attractions are long. Avoid a "check-in" style itinerary and allow time for in-depth experiences. 😋 Food Recommendations: Xinjiang Big Plate Chicken, Pepper Chicken, Hand-Grabbed Mutton, Lamb Kebabs, Baked Buns, Ban Mian (mixed noodles), Minced Meat Pilaf, Yellow Noodles with Roasted Meat, Roasted Nang, Xinjiang Fried Rice Noodles, Stewed Meat, Nang Pit Meat, Spicy Lamb Trotters, Rice Sausage, Noodle and Lung, Lamb Offal Soup, Meatball Soup, Pot-cooked Meat, Yogurt Zongzi, Yogurt Ice Cream... and watermelon 🍉, Hami melon 🍈, grapes 🍇. Every bite is a taste of happiness. 🌸 Seasonal Guide March-April: Pamir apricot blossoms, Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley: pink flower sea + snow-capped mountain backdrop May-August: Ili grassland, Sayram Lake, Duku Highway: flower sea, lakes, road trips September-October: Kanas, Hemu, Poplar Forests: stunning autumn colors, picturesque scenery November-February: Altay skiing, Kanas winter scenery: winter wonderland, ski paradise - 🧳 Essential Packing List Documents: ID card + border defense permit (required!) 🆔 Clothing: Choose appropriate clothing based on the season, such as sun protection clothing, jackets, and down jackets. 👚 Sun protection: Sunglasses, SPF50 sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat to protect your skin from UV rays. Other: Moisturizing skincare products, motion sickness medicine, U-shaped pillow (essential for long-distance travel), power bank, etc. 💊 - 📸 Photography Tips Wear a white dress at Sayram Lake, choose bright colors for the grasslands, and red/black clothing is suitable for the desert. 👗 Arrive at the Kanas viewing platform before 6:30 am to capture the morning mist, and bring a telephoto lens to capture the beautiful scenery. 📷