Question 1

What kind of cuisine will we be having?

Accepted Answer

You can taste typical Xinjiang food such as grilled lamb, rice pilaf, noodles and naan. Meanwhile, we also provide a variety of regular Chinese dishes including stir-fries, soups, vegetables and other popular home-style foods every day.

Question 2

Do we have lamb every day?

Accepted Answer

Lamb will not be served every day. Lamb is a famous local specialty, so we arrange it several times during the trip. Our daily meals also include beef, chicken, seafood, fresh vegetables, noodles, staple foods and various vegetarian dishes for rich choices.

Question 3

Is the lamb from sheep or goat?

Accepted Answer

All the lamb we serve is meat from sheep, which is tender with a mild flavor. And it is also the mainstream meat eaten in Xinjiang. Goats here are mainly raised for wool and milk, and we hardly serve goat meat.

Question 4

What is North Xinjiang famous for?

Accepted Answer

Northern Xinjiang is renowned for breathtaking alpine lakes, vast grasslands, primeval forests, snow-capped glaciers and nomadic Kazakh & Tuvan culture. Crystal lakes like (Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Koktokay), Narat Sky Grassland, Bayanbulak Swan Wetland, primitive Tuvan villages of Hemu & Baihaba, golden birch forests, alpine canyons and snow peaks offer the best stunning natural views, which is the top destination for natural scenery, self-driving, horse riding and autumn landscape photography.

Question 5

Best time to visit North Xinjiang

Accepted Answer

There are three prime travel seasons for Northern Xinjiang:I: June to August (Summer, peak season)during this time you can see lush green grasslands dotted with wildflowers, sapphire Sayram Lake, with a perfect cool temperature 15-28℃, which is perfect for family trips and road trips.II: Mid-September to early Octomber (Golden autumn, best for photography)You can appreciate golden birch forests in Hemu and Kanas, with a stunning layered scenery with sofe light. It's an ideal for landscape pgotographers, Kanas is the best choice for you while visiting Xinjiang in autumn.III: December to February (Winter ice & snow wonderland）Silent snow villages in Kanas and Hemu brings the best natural views in Xinjiang winter! Blue ice viewing, skiing and horse sledding, a quiet offbeat winter destination unfold in front of you.

Question 6

How many days do you need for North Xinjiang?

Accepted Answer

According to your time arrangement, there're three recommended durations based on your vacation length:1. 7 days (short condensed tour)You can visit Altay loop: Urumqi-Sayram Lake-Tekes-Naraty-Yining. This route covers core lakes and Tuvan villages, if you only stay in this land for a very short time, you can choose this route. Northern Xinjiang covers vast land with long driving distances between attractions; trips shorter than 5 days will be overly rushed.2. 10-12 days (classic full loop, most popular choice)This choice covers many popular scenic spots like Sayram Lake, Narat Grassland, Bayanbulak Wetland, Koktokay, Kanas and Hemu in one trip. Balanced schedule without excessive driving.3. 16 days and more (in-depth tour in North Xinjiang)Our bespoke 16-day itinerary stands out as the optimal pick for thorough exploration:It fully includes hidden gems in Altai and the entire scenic belt of Ili, presenting diversified sights ranging from lavender fields, wild flower meadows and alpine pastures to mountain lakes and yardang landforms. Starting from Urumqi, it covers Altai scenic spots, Ili's lakes and grassland landscapes, plus Kuqa and Korla highlights. Your tour concludes with a stop at Urumqi International Grand Bazaar. If your schedule permits, our well-designed 16-day tour is strongly recommended.

Question 7

North Xinjiang vs South Xinjiang

Accepted Answer

Northern Xinjiang features natural landscapes, while Southern Xinjiang focuses on ancient Silk Road humanistic culture. snow peaks, alpine lakes, green grasslands and dense forests with vivid, soft natural views can be seen in the north part of Xinjiang, here, you can feel the nomadic Kazakh & Tuvan tribes, wooden mountain villages and pastoral lifestyle. However, vast Gobi deserts, ancient ruins, red Danxia canyons with grand desolate landforms is another great option for you to visit in the South Xinjiang, old city wandering, bazaar exploration, ancient grotto visits, desert off-roading and authentic local food tours. By the way, you can fully immerse yourself into the core Uyghur settlements, millennium ancient cities (Kashgar, Kuqa), bazaars and profound ancient Silk Road heritage.

Question 8

Is Xinjiang safe for foreign travelers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Xinjiang is generally a very safe destination for foreign travelers. Major tourist cities like Urumqi, Kashgar and Yining have well-developed tourism infrastructure, and violent crime targeting tourists is extremely rare. Local people across all ethnic groups are generally welcoming and hospitable to visitors, especially in tourism-focused areas. As with any travel destination, basic precautions apply — keep an eye on your belongings in crowded bazaars, follow local signs and regulations at scenic sites, and carry your passport and travel documents with you. The biggest practical challenges for travelers are usually logistical rather than safety-related: the vast distances between destinations, language barriers in more remote areas and occasional checkpoints. Traveling with a local guide or organized tour is the easiest way to navigate all of this smoothly, and most international visitors have a positive, hassle-free experience traveling around the region.

Question 9

North Xinjiang vs South Xinjiang — what's the difference?

Accepted Answer

The common saying is that North Xinjiang is for nature and South Xinjiang is for culture, and it holds largely true. North Xinjiang features dramatic alpine scenery: turquoise lakes like Kanas and Sayram, rolling grasslands at Narat and Bayanbulak, snow-capped Tianshan peaks and dense birch forests. It has a more nomadic, mountain-pastoral feel, with Kazakh and Mongolian herders, and it draws travelers who come for hiking, photography and road trips through dramatic landscapes. South Xinjiang is defined by desert, oasis cities and deep Silk Road history. The old city of Kashgar with its mud-brick lanes and grand Id Kah Mosque feels distinctly Central Asian, and the region is home to most of Xinjiang's Uyghur population, with rich traditions of music, crafts and cuisine. It also has the vast Taklamakan Desert and ruined Silk Road cities like Jiaohe and Gaochang. In short: choose the north for lakes, mountains and grasslands; choose the south for culture, history and desert scenery.

Question 10

What ethnic cultures can I experience in Xinjiang?

Accepted Answer

Xinjiang is home to 13 major ethnic groups, each with their own traditions, and experiencing this cultural diversity is one of the biggest highlights of any trip. The Uyghur people are the largest group, concentrated in the south, with a rich heritage of music, dance, calligraphy and crafts — you can watch artisans make copper pots, silk carpets and wooden instruments in Kashgar's old town, and enjoy traditional muqam music performances. Kazakh herders in the northern grasslands live in yurts and move with their herds seasonally; visitors can stay in a Kazakh yurt, try horse riding and share meals of naan and kumis (fermented mare's milk). Other groups include the Tajik people of the Pamirs, known for their hospitality and mountain culture, the Mongolian people around Bortala, and the Hui people across the region. Many homestays and village visits let you eat home-cooked meals, learn traditional crafts and watch festival performances for an immersive look into daily life.

Question 11

Do foreign visitors need any special permit to travel in Xinjiang?

Accepted Answer

Foreign travelers do not need a special entry permit for Xinjiang like they do for Tibet — a valid Chinese visa in your passport is enough to enter and travel around most of the region. That said, there are a few areas near the international borders, such as parts of the Pamir Plateau, the Altai border region and certain mountain passes, that require a border pass (bianfang zheng). Your local travel agency or guide can arrange this for you as part of your itinerary, and it is a straightforward process. You should carry your passport with you at all times when traveling around Xinjiang, as you may be asked to show it at checkpoints, hotels and scenic areas. As long as you book through a reputable agency and follow your guide's instructions, travel documentation is generally straightforward and should not cause any issues for your trip.

About US

China Tours

Destinations

Contact Us

About US

China Tours

Destinations

Contact Us

North Xinjiang Tours | Private & Small Group Tours to Kanas, Hemu & Sayram Lake

Featured North Xinjiang Tours

7 Days Northern Xinjiang Tour

10 Days North Xinjiang Photography Tour

11 Days Northern Xinjiang Tour: Keketuohai, Kanas Lake and Turpan

11 Days Northern Xinjiang Tour: Turpan, Bayinbuluk Grassland and Kanas Lake

North Xinjiang Tours FAQs

Why Choose Our Xinjiang Tours?

Why Choose Silk Road Travel for North Xinjiang Tours?

16 Days Northern Xinjiang Tour with Duku Highway to Kuqa

12 Days Bayinbuluk Grassland, Kanas Lake & Turpan Culture adventure

7 Days Photography Tour in Xinjiang with Apricot Flowers

8 Days Amazing Natural Wonders Exploration of Xinjiang

North Xinjiang: from Heavenly Lake to Kanas Lake