Xinjiang – the name of China’s largest Autonomous Region conjures up romantic images of endless deserts crisscrossed by caravans of traders from East and West.
But did you know that it has another side?
Imagine endless grassland plains and mountain ranges stretching out far across the horizon, snow-capped mountains feeding shimmering teal rivers and gargantuan lakes, rustic villages nestle comfortably among a glorious valley of pine and birch forests.
Welcome to Northern Xinjiang.
Instead of the scorching deserts and historical sites down south, Northern Xinjiang is an alpine paradise of grasslands, mountains, rivers and lakes (though they still skirt the central, arid Gurbantunggut Desert).
So, here are five gorgeous landscapes and natural beauties that any self-respecting nature-lover MUST visit!
Kanas Lake
Starting with the superstar of Northern Xinjiang, we have the massive, iconic and teal Kanas Lake (喀纳斯湖).
Located within the greater Kanas Scenic Area (喀纳斯景区) – a massive nature park in the region’s far north – this crescent-shaped highland lake is famed as one of Xinjiang’s most sublime views.
The lake traces a crescent arc from northeast to southwest, feeding dense forests of birch and larch on its banks. Depending on who you ask, its name is Mongolian for “beautiful, rich and mysterious”, “canyon lake” or even “Lake of the Khan” – supposedly because Genghis Khan once drank from its waters.
Visitors to the lake can hire boat rides that take you right out into the middle of the lake and its milky-blue waters for some wild, windy and wet selfies.
But take care – because its waters are rumoured to be home to the famously elusive Lake Kanas Monster – a giant fish-like creature that’s been reportedly seen and photographed around the lake. In fact, there’s even a nearby attraction named after it – Guanyu Pavilion, i.e. Fish-Watching Pavilion!
Guanyu Pavilion: High up on the western mountains near the lake, this tower offers unparalleled views of Kanas Lake and the forested grasslands on the opposite flank. You can even spot the tower from ground-level at Lake Kanas – simply look to the west!
Those feeling a bit seasick can stay on land instead, where a variety of well-maintained paths hug the southeastern shores of the lake. From the lakeside pier, the northern route offers great vantage points over the lake and even some ancient rock paintings while the southern route brings you into onto a spectacular river nature trail featuring thick alpine forests and rugged river basins.
South of Kanas Lake, there’s also the Three Bays of Kanas – three iconic portions of the Kanas River that feature that distinctive teal glow of the river alongside some picturesque highland forests.
Heads up: If you’re heading from the Jiadengyu Tourist Service Centre to Kanas Lake, try and get a left-hand side window seat for the best views. Get a right-hand side window if you’re coming from Kanas Lake instead.
Hemu Village
Just as the sun and moon are forever entwined, so is Kanas eternally joined with Hemu Village (禾木村).
This village – located on the eastern half of the Kanas Scenic Area – is a charming village populated by the Turkish-speaking Tuvan people and their distinctive houses. These Tuvan houses are easily recognized thanks to their steep roofs and entirely timber construction (using only wood and moss). Rows of these cute little cabins give you a glimpse into the lives of Xinjiang’s ethnic minorities.
But fret not nature-lovers, this Xinjiang icon has another card up its sleeve, and this one takes some walking to get to!
Crossing the Hemu River and a beautifully eerie birch forest, you’ll then have to endure another 30-minute hike up manmade trails to arrive at one particular spot – a giant highland plateau.
It may sound mundane, but lying right at the very edge of this great bluff is one of the most iconic, grand views of Hemu Village.
Past the precarious cliff, far-off mountains watch over the valley as a roaring river flanked by autumn trees cuts its way across the plains. In the center, like a giant footprint, the village of Hemu stands amidst it all, with trails of smoke being the only sign of life from the tiny cabins. Here, Mother Nature’s magnum opus and humanity’s tenacity are displayed in their full glory.
And like with any good seasonal destination, you can never fully capture Hemu’s charm with a single visit, as each season brings with it its own fresh colour palette, whether it be autumn’s glorious golds, winter’s white blanket and spring’s sparkling greens.
Yunxiaofeng
Still hungry for more panoramic views? Then there’s only one way to go – up!
Just 30 minutes away from Hemu Village is Yunxiaofeng (云霄峰), one of many mountains along the Altay mountain range that forms Xinjiang’s northern frontier.
But what makes this specific mountain special is the scenic area at its peak. Despite hovering at 2,452m above sea level, it is thankfully easily accessible by cable car as part of the massive Jikepulin International Ski Resort at its base. Although it usually serves skiers during winter, the cable car remains open year-round to ferry visitors up.
If you can manage to brave the vertigo and spine-tingling views throughout the cable car ride, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking mountain views of Northern Xinjiang.
Extending over the entire horizon are countless ridges, summits and mountains punctuated by majestic valleys that wind and curve with the earth. Standing amidst a chorus of rising peaks and falling cliffs, you truly feel like you’re atop a tiny, insignificant wave in the middle of an unfathomably vast ocean of rock.
In fact, this particular spot of Yunxiaofeng overlooks the borders of four entire nations – China, Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan – a fact which is helpfully pointed out by a wooden signpost with arms splayed out in all directions.
If the surrounding mountain bonanza isn’t enough to sate your shutterbug soul, then try walking around the dozens of viewpoints, markers, art installations dotted around. There’s even an impressive stupa draped in a riot of colourful sashes, its cheerful determination enduring amidst a desolate field of precarious rock mounds.
Folks from hotter climates can try visiting during the cooler autumn and winter months, when snow starts forming upon the surrounding mountain flanks. Beware though, even in relatively mild autumns, the freezing mountain air can and will blast through the thickest of coats. Here’s a hot winter tip (with more here): bring multiple layers, especially fleece clothing or windbreakers. If it’s too much, get some pocket warmers to stick on your body or your pockets.
Wucaitan
Quick question: how do you feel about the Australian outback?
Because Northern Xinjiang has it too!
Nestled amidst the desert northwest of Burqin County, Wucaitan (五彩滩) (literally “Rainbow Beach”) is a geopark that houses a collection of uneven, colourful hills next to a deep blue river that is strikingly reminiscent of a landscape from Down Under.
Here, the contrast between desolate rock and sand with lush forests is truly mesmerizing. On one side, the bone-dry hills of the badlands – locally referred to as Danxia landforms – dazzle the senses with their shades of golds, oranges and browns highlighted by splashes of white. On the opposite, a vast forest fills stretches far and wide as wind farms loom over the horizon. Right in the middle, the Irtysh River (额尔齐斯河) marks the border between both, a boundary between life and death.
But back down on Earth, Wucaitan’s vast area is lined with multiple lookouts, platforms and even a multistoried building that grant you panoramic views over the scorching landscape. Wucaitan is best visited around dusk, not only to avoid the harsh desert glare and heat, but also to appreciate the golden hour – when the sunset paints the faint ochre hills with a deep golden glow.
If you find the sunlight too harsh, then head for the hills – literally! The western section of the park contains a network of paths that lead into the folds and ravines of the badlands, where you can get a closeup look at these remarkable land formations and a fascinating mosaic of cracks, crevices and columns.
Wucaitan even has a little something for selfie addicts. There’s the grand monument depicting the nomadic tradition of sheep-snatching, a suspension bridge over the river and even a surreal lighthouse out in the corner of the park!
Lake Sayram
Down in the southwest corner of Northern Xinjiang, right up to the Kazakh border, lies the majestic Lake Sayram (赛里木湖).
Compared to the fjord-like geography of Lake Kanas, Lake Sayram boasts something more akin to the Great Lakes – wide open water that seems to stretch forever into the vanishing horizon, only stopping at a ring of mountains.
Simply picking a spot to watch the crystal-clear lake can easily take up a day or more, since this absolutely gargantuan lake – it takes hours just to circle it – contains a whole plethora of interesting spots to further appreciate this Xinjiang jewel.
Most start with the Waterfront Beach, a stretch of walkways next to the coast that features a huge pillar emblazoned with the old and modern names of Lake Sayram.
After getting your selfie, try parking your bum on a lakeside rock before gazing out at the remarkably placid lake, its still blue waters almost perfectly mirroring the eternally azure skies above. Then, take a hike on an impressively long walkway stretching from north to south as you admire the lake’s hardy flora and fauna on the shore.
For a more elevated shots, Lake Sayram also has the Dianjiangtai Scenic Area (点将台). Here, a series of steps leads up to a plaza with a commanding view over the lake and a nearby pier. You can live out your nomadic fantasies with some selfies at the row of aobao mounds at the top or the breathtaking grasslands just behind the plaza. Make sure to get a proper windbreaker though, you’ll be pelted by some awfully fierce (and cold) winds while you’re here.
If you’re still looking for some nomadic flavour, then head for the Xihai Grasslands at the western half of the lake, where Kazakh riders will take you through a portion of the vast grasslands by horseback!
These five attractions in Northern Xinjiang are but a tiny slice of the region’s incredible natural beauty. And we haven’t even mentioned the spectacular desert and historical sights down in Southern Xinjiang! Regardless, Northern Xinjiang is absolutely worth visiting if you’re a nature lover.
If you’re still curious about how an actual Northern Xinjiang trip looks like, here’s a detailed, day-by-day account of a 10-day tour to Northern Xinjiang, featuring lots of Mother Nature’s masterworks and a ton of bus rides!
Also, make sure to check out our ever-growing collection of guides to China (visa-free till Dec 2025 for Malaysians)! We highly recommend our guides to laid-back Chengdu, the romantic canal towns of Jiangnan, and especially our traveller’s guide to Chinese apps.
