Southern Pasture
With lots of natural grasslands to boost Animal husbandry, travelers can get a glimpse of it by visiting Southern Pasture which is located 75km South of Urumqi, at the northern foot of Karawuquntag Mountain, a spur of the Tianshan Mountains.
Among the mountains, White Willow Ditch is a unique and graceful peak, snow-capped all year round. In the pasture, you can appreciate a beautiful picture of steep mountains, luxuriant grassland, herds of sheep and cattle, and can ride horses, running through the valleys, or walk through the woods to pick mushrooms.
Kanas Nature Reserve
Located in Burqin County of Altay, Kanas is called the ‘Pearl of Northern Xinjiang’. With a spectacular scenic area featuring various landscapes, lakes, rivers, glaciers, forests, and grasslands, Kanas Lake is the highlight you cannot miss, clear and tranquil water surrounded by the primeval forest of spruces, firs, and larches. The color of the water even changes according to different seasons and weathers. What is more, this is one of the must-see places in Xinjiang especially for outdoor activity enthusiasts, for the classical hiking routes connecting Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, Bahaba Villlage, and Keketuohai National Park.
Kashgar Old Town
One of the best things to do in Xinjiang is to stroll around the Kashgar Old Town and explore the Uygur culture and customs. With several hundred years’ history, the old town has become a representative of Kashgar culture and you can appreciate numerous buildings in Islamic and Uygur styles. Besides enjoying this colorful town, you can visit some popular attractions such as the Id Kah Mosque, one of the largest mosques in China, and the spectacular Abakh Khoja Tomb.
Grape Valley
Xinjiang grapes enjoy the international fame for decades of years. And the hometown of Xinjiang grapes is the Grape Valley in Turpan. Grape Valley is a valley nestling on the western slopes of the Flaming Mountain.
Tourists can take a donkey pulled tented cart to visit the 10-li-long Grape Valley. And also you can pick grapes there and enjoy the local minority songs and dances. It is a great relief to recline in the shade of the green leaves and delight in the fresh juicy fruit, appreciating the coolness after the heat outside.
Karakul Lake
Karakul Lake is located approximately 200km from Kashgar. At an altitude of 3,600m, it is the highest lake of the Pamir Plateau, near the junction of the Pamir Mountains, Tianshan and Kunlunshan mountain ranges.
Karakul means "black lake" and it is indeed looks black when the sun is hidden by clouds. It's the highest lake in the world excluding those in Tibet and even Titicaca Lake - the biggest alpine lake in the world is located on lower altitudes.
Flaming Mountain
Situated in the middle of the Turpan Basin, the Flaming Mountain is called Kiziltag by the local people which means “Red Mountain”. Flaming Mountains are so named because in the evenings the red clay mountains reflect the heat and glow of the desert and seem to burn. Under the blazing sun, the red rock glows and hot air curls up like smoke as though it were on fire, hence its name.
In the severe heat of July, the Flaming Mountains seem to be on fire in the burning sun and become a purplish-brown color. Hot steam rises upwards from the burning cliffs and it is no surprise that this is where the hottest temperatures in China ever, were recorded.