20 days of traveling on the 11,000 km journey to explore the Western Regions brought Lai Mai Linh (33 years old, Thai Nguyen) from one surprise to another. "Coming to Xinjiang, I realized how vast and beautiful China really is!", she shared. The scenery of Xinjiang changes dramatically from North to South, so stunningly beautiful that she could not believe her eyes.
With countless impressive landscape, cultural and historical values, Xinjiang is always a hot tourist destination that many tourists want to visit once. The 6 attractive destinations below will certainly not disappoint you when visiting if you intend to travel to Xinjiang.
The breathtaking beauty of Xinjiang left Mai Linh overwhelmed.
Located in the inland region of the Eurasian continent, with a land border of more than 5,600 km, bordering 8 countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Mongolia, India and Afghanistan, Xinjiang has a particularly important strategic position, being the western gateway of China on the trade route to Central Asia for many centuries. That is why the natural scenery, historical and cultural values in Xinjiang make travel enthusiasts "restless".
Struggling to conquer the 75km long "Black Dragon" Panlong with 600 curves
Pamir Plateau Sky Road, also known as Panlong Ancient Road, is a winding road that crosses the Kunlun Mountains in China. From above, Panlong resembles a giant grey dragon slithering through Kashgar. At its highest point, Pamir Plateau Sky Road is 4,269 meters above sea level.
With 600 turns, this winding 75km road will be an exciting challenge for skilled drivers.
Panlong Ancient Road is one of the most visually stunning roads in the world, and is the "worst nightmare" for those who get carsick with its 600 zigzag curves. For those who love to conquer, Panlong will certainly be a challenge not to be missed. However, at present, foreign tourists are not allowed to drive cars when coming to Xinjiang. Therefore, you can book a land tour or hire a local driver to conquer the dangerous roads in the Western Regions.
With an average altitude of more than 4,000 meters above sea level, the "new frontier" region has forced many people to "withdraw from the game" due to altitude shock. Mai Linh said that in addition to strict requirements for paperwork, Xinjiang also requires visitors to have good endurance and physical strength due to the harsh climate and rugged terrain.
Admire the "wonder of the desert" - Baisha Lake
Along the G314 National Highway leading to Taxian County, Baisha Mountains and Lake wind along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, painting a landscape that is not inferior to Switzerland. Located at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level, with an area of up to 10 hectares, Baisha has a unique ecological environment, home to many rare species of flora and fauna. Baisha Lake is also fondly called the "wonder of the desert" in the vast land of Xinjiang.
After millions of years of relentless wind, a huge amount of white sand blown from the Gazi Canyon has covered the mountain ranges, forming majestic sand mountains surrounding the lake. A large amount is hidden under the lake, patiently waiting for the water level to decrease so that it can emerge white amidst the emerald green of Lake Baisha. That is why Lake Baisha is considered a "wonder of the desert". Dang Ngoc Yen (29 years old, Bac Ninh), who accompanied Mai Linh on the journey to conquer Tan Cuong, described: "When the wind is calm, the white sand dunes on the plateau reflect on the lake surface, sparkling like silver inlay, creating an incredibly wonderful scene bestowed by nature".
Infiltrate Hoa Muc, immerse yourself in a fairyland in real life
When coming to this paradise land, visitors cannot miss Hemu in Kanas - which is known as the most beautiful village in China. Located in the middle of peace, the scenery is in harmony between clouds, sky, mountains and forests, the village on the plateau is as beautiful as the scenes in fairy tales. Despite its fame, the village still retains its pristine beauty, peacefulness, isolation, unaffected by modern life and tourism activities.
The residents living in Hoa Muc are mainly Tuwa people.
Hoa Muc Village is located in the Kanas Lake area, in the valley of the Altay Mountains, in the north of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, close to the borders of Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia. In spring and summer, the whole village is immersed in lush green, full of life, next to the gentle Hoa Muc River. This is also the right time to travel to Xinjiang. Because in winter, the weather is harsh, snow covers the mountains, roads, villages... making it extremely difficult to travel, experience and admire the beauty here.
Tourism is developing, but with its remote location and villagers' awareness, Hoa Muc still retains its original beauty.
Mysterious Tianshan Canyon, Xinjiang
Tianshan Tomur Grand Canyon is the most beautiful geological wonder in Western China with a total area of 200 km2. After hundreds of millions of years of erosion by wind and rain, nature has skillfully created towering mountain peaks and towering cliffs of various shapes. Tianshan today appears majestic and impressive with its multi-colored beauty.
In the sunlight, the rugged mountains look like blazing snakes of fire from a distance.
The Chinese are very proud of the Tianshan Canyon, they consider it as "the second Mars" on this planet. From the outside, Tianshan appears majestic and grand as a persistent creation of nature with the main colors being red-orange and red-brown. Standing in the canyon and looking up, visitors will feel dizzy and suffocated by the vertical cliffs on both sides waiting to collapse at any moment. The widest width in the canyon is up to 53 m, with some sections only 0.4 m - just enough for one person to squeeze through. It feels like being suffocated by the massiveness and mystery of the canyon.
What makes Thien Son alley so charming is not only its magnificence but also its tranquility, mystery and peace.
KANAS LAKE, THE ENTHUSIASTIC BEAUTY OF XINJIANG REGION
Kanas means "beautiful and mysterious" in Mongolian. Located in a valley in the Altay Mountains in the far north of Xinjiang, bordering Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia, Kanas is a fascinating combination of Western Regions' land and sky. Kanas Lake was formed 200,000 years ago as a result of glaciation.
Kanas Lake.
Located at an altitude of 1,375 meters above sea level, Kanas is nestled among the forests, softly winding around the mountain ranges like a silk ribbon, creating an impressive and spectacular landscape. The lake water is clear, emerald green, the lake surface reflects the lyrical shadows of the pine trees. The beauty of Kanas changes through the seasons: Spring is immersed in the green color full of vitality, Summer is faintly visible in the charming thin mist, Autumn is quiet and calm in the milky white water, Winter is shyly hidden under the white snow covering the lake surface.
Dreamy green Nalati grassland
Along the Silk Road, Nalati Grassland is one of the famous tourist destinations you should visit when traveling to Xinjiang. Located at an average altitude of 2,200 m, Nalati is an ideal place to fully admire the beauty of snow-capped mountains, pine forests, hills with vast grasslands. Nalati is known as "Sky Grassland" or "Gardan Highway" because it is located along National Highway 218 running through the Tianshan Mountains.
Mai Linh frolicked in the enchanting beauty of the Nalati grassland.
You will easily come across countless herds of horses, sheep, and cows leisurely grazing in the peaceful setting. Slowing down to fully appreciate the landscape and capture every beautiful moment that nature has to offer is perhaps the most wonderful thing that Mai Linh and Ngoc Yen felt after the 11,000 km journey to explore this land that occupies 1/6 of China's area.
Peaceful scene of horses leisurely grazing on the grassland.
Although it has opened, in reality, traveling to Xinjiang requires not only endurance to explore the land that occupies 1/6 of China's area, but also frequent strict control by the police throughout the journey. Traveling to Xinjiang is still not easy at the present time, you can look for travel companies to save time and effort while still ensuring your safety throughout the journey.
