The beauty of Xinjiang is undeniable. On this vast and boundless land, almost all of Earth’s natural landscapes converge in a remarkable way.
Deserts, grasslands, basins, mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, gobi, oases, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, forests…
Today, we will take you to appreciate those unmissable travel destinations in the beautiful Xinjiang, and after reading, you will be eager to set off!
Stunning Scenery
Sayram Lake
Sayram Lake is known as “the last teardrop of the Atlantic Ocean.”
The sacred white snow mountains are reflected on the azure lake surface, with varying shades of blue in the water and varying shades of green on the mountains and grasslands. The alpine lake is so serenely beautiful. Take a scenic bus for a 360-degree panoramic view of the lake… no less charming than the Nordic ambiance!
Kanas Lake
Water lovers say, “In the south, there is Jiuzhaigou; in the north, there is Kanas Lake.”
Kanas Lake is located in the deep mountains and dense forests of the Altay Mountains. The lake is crystal clear to the bottom, yet it carries a sense of depth, not appearing transparent at all. No matter what color it is, it is as thick as oil paint, making people intoxicated like a glass of aged wine.
Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake)
Tianshan Tianchi, anciently known as “Yao Chi,” is a jade-like crystal clear lake under the blue sky, reflecting Bogda Peak. Surrounded by mountains, the slopes are covered with tall and lush spruce and fir trees, creating a fairyland-like scenery.
Karakul Lake
Karakul Lake is located at the foot of Muztagh Ata, the father of glaciers, and is one of the few high-altitude lakes in the world.
Surrounded by mountains, the clear water reflects the snowy peaks, blending the lake and mountain scenery into one, creating a poetic and picturesque view that captivates and enchants people.
Keketuohai
Keketuohai in Altay, Xinjiang, gained popularity because of a song.
The clear river flows along the canyon, and the two mountains are the masterpieces of the divine craftsman, like two long scrolls engraved with thousands of years of legends, telling you stories through the passage of time.
Grasslands and Pastures
Kalajun Grassland
As one of the world’s rare high-quality alpine grasslands, it redefines the landform of grasslands!
It is three-dimensional, undulating like waves, with varying heights. Praised as “China’s most beautiful three-dimensional grassland landscape belt,” it is the most beautiful three-dimensional grassland, second to none.
Nalati Grassland
Nalati Grassland is one of the four largest mountain valley grasslands in the world, meaning “the place where the sun is first seen.”
Ink-green pine trees stand on the mountain ridges, lush green grass covers the earth, white clouds surround the mountainsides, and various wildflowers are perfectly dotted on the grassland. The small river beside the road flows gently… everywhere is a natural, simple, and unadorned beauty.
Bayinbuluke Grassland
Bayinbuluke Grassland is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and the nourishment of melted ice and snow makes it the most fertile summer pasture on the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains.
The most special thing about Bayinbuluke is that at sunset, you can see nine suns here. This natural wonder is truly amazing!
Tangbula Grassland
Tangbula Grassland has many scenic spots, and it is said that there are 113 gullies, each with its own characteristics. Flowing springs and waterfalls, gurgling streams; the peculiar Arslan stone forest, the spectacular grassland sunset… it is a perfect combination of all the beauty.
Splendid Flower Seas
Yili Apricot Blossom Valley
The most beautiful season in the Apricot Blossom Valley is every spring. From valleys to mountains, large patches of apricot blossoms follow the sunlight, spreading clusters of pink buds across the green fields and villages, creating a breathtaking view that is hard to take your eyes off.
Huocheng Lavender
Every June, on the way from Sayram Lake to Yining, lavender fields stretch as far as the eye can see. The vast expanses of deep purple appear even more intense and vibrant against the backdrop of distant mountains and the blue sky.
Zhaosu Rapeseed Flowers
In July, Zhaosu becomes a sea of flowers. Against the vast green background, endless rapeseed flower fields and perilla flower fields sway in the wind, with sunflowers nestled in between. The dazzling yellow color appears even more radiant under the blue sky.
Red Danxia Landforms
Flaming Mountains
The Flaming Mountains are one of the famous attractions in Turpan. It is also the location of the Flaming Mountains in the novel “Journey to the West,” where Tang Sanzang and his disciples borrowed a palm-leaf fan to extinguish the fire.
In the height of summer, under the scorching sun, you can hardly see any other colors. At dawn or dusk, under the illumination of the morning sun or evening glow, it seems to be still fiercely burning…
Ghost City
This place was once rated as the “Most Beautiful Yardang Landform in China” by “China National Geography” in its “China’s Most Beautiful Scenery” selection.
Looking from afar, the Ghost City appears like a large medieval European castle, with huge stone pillars of various shapes standing side by side on the Gobi desert. Strong winds often howl between the stone pillars, sounding like ghosts wailing and wolves howling, making people’s hair stand on end.
Colorful Beach
In a vast Gobi desert, there is a colorful world known for its strangeness, mystery, and magnificence – the Colorful Beach.
The sunset in the evening casts an even more mysterious glow on the colorful beach. Stepping into this place feels like entering a dreamlike world.
Steep Canyons
Kuche Grand Canyon
This is China’s version of the “Antelope Canyon” and is praised as “one of the top 10 most beautiful canyons in China.”
The reddish-brown mountain groups rise straight into the sky. Under the sunlight, they resemble clusters of burning flames. Entering the valley and walking among the reddish-brown mountains, it feels like entering a quiet and cool world.
Dushanzi Grand Canyon
Dushanzi Grand Canyon is the final masterpiece on the Duku Highway.
It has formed a rare black canyon landform through millions of years of erosion. Arriving at sunset is the best time to enjoy it alone!
Anji Sea Grand Canyon
Someone said, “God didn’t take away Van Gogh, but left him in Xinjiang, in a certain segment of the Anji Sea Grand Canyon.”
This place doesn’t seem like the real world, but more like a modern abstract painting. Standing on the edge of the towering cliffs sends chills down your spine.
Wensu Grand Canyon
Wensu Grand Canyon can be called the “Living Museum of Geological Evolution” in Xinjiang.
The rock layers on the canyon walls are clearly distributed. The folds formed by compression have clear curved lines. The peaks are towering, with various shapes, rugged and strange, intense colors, and a myriad of appearances, presenting a colorful display.
Secluded Utopias / Fairy Tale Towns
Hemu Village
Hemu Village is known as the “No. 1 Village in China.” It’s a beautiful village surrounded by white birch trees, snow-capped mountains, and rivers, like a hidden utopia nestled among the Altai Mountains.
It is famous for its intoxicating autumn colors when the mountains are covered in red, the birch forests glow with a golden hue, and the pine trees are lush and green. The cows, sheep, and horse herds roaming the birch forests create a unique and enchanting scenery.
Baihaba
Baihaba Village, rated as one of the eight most beautiful towns in China by “China Geography,” is even quieter and more beautiful than Hemu Village.
In the evening at sunset and the misty morning, cooking smoke drifts leisurely, and cows and sheep fill the slopes. The entire village paints a picture of harmony between man and nature, full of tranquility and peace.
Kashgar Old City
If you haven’t been to Kashgar Old City, you haven’t really traveled Xinjiang.
Walking into Kashgar Old City is like being in a vivid picture scroll of Xinjiang Uyghur folk customs. The layered wooden buildings, exotic old city streets, beautiful Id Kah Mosque, shouting vendors, and shy Xinjiang girls… There are endless sights to see here.
Kazanqi
This blue town in the northwest is China’s most worthy comparison to Morocco.
Blue doors and windows, colorful ethnic minority houses, local Uyghur compatriots singing and dancing, antique yet novel sightseeing horse carriages… Every corner here has surprises!
Vast Deserts
Kumtag Desert
The Kumtag Desert Scenic Area in Xinjiang is one of the few deserts in the world that has zero-distance contact with a city.
Standing on the sand dunes, in front is a vast, magnificent, and boundless desert ocean. Turning around, however, is a lush, beautiful oasis with distinct yellows and greens, strongly contrasting yet harmoniously unified, making people exclaim in amazement.
Taklamakan
The Taklamakan Desert is China’s largest desert.
Deep into the hinterland of the desert, the yellow folds are like solidified waves, extending to the distant golden horizon, connecting with the sky, with no end in sight. The endless desert is a desolation etched in the bones.
Perilous Roads
Duku Highway
The Duku Highway is only open for a few months each year and was selected as the “Scenic Avenue along the Tianshan Ridge” by “China National Geography.”
It traverses the Tianshan Mountains, winding all the way, treacherous all the way, stunning all the way, with a wild, rugged, vicissitudinous soul-shaking impact.
Tarim Desert Highway
China’s first desert highway, with a total length of 522 kilometers, crosses the “Sea of Death,” the Taklamakan Desert. All along the way are vast yellow sands and thick, robust poplar trees, showcasing the ultimate wilderness of the northwest.
Saygut Expressway
The Saygut Expressway is the first expressway in Xinjiang that runs through the Tianshan Mountains and achieves bridge-tunnel connections.
The Guozigou Bridge is the most unique scenery on this road. Driving on the bridge feels like flying in the clouds, a one-of-a-kind experience.
Hemu Highway
This is a stunningly beautiful road leading to a fairyland on earth.
The continuous mountain ranges stretch to the horizon, and in the distance, you can see the snow-capped mountains glistening in the sunlight. On both sides of the road are tall, lush, cold-temperate fir and birch trees, as well as vast grasslands with leisurely grazing cows, horses, and sheep.
Golden Poplar Trees
Tarim Populus Euphratica Forest
The Tarim Populus Euphratica National Forest Park is Xinjiang’s largest primitive poplar forest park.
Every year in mid-October, hundreds of thousands of hectares of poplars in the park don a golden coat, a spectacular sight to behold!
Loulan Village
As one of the largest villages in western China, Loulan Village is also a secluded paradise where the Loulan people live.
The mutual embrace of the Tarim River and the desert creates a unique scenery here. The desert, lakes, poplar vegetation, and other elements form time and space tunnels, making people feel like they have traveled back a thousand years.
