Northern Xinjiang is a land of grasslands and lakes — the Kazakh prairies, the alpine beauty of Sayram Lake, and the pastoral life that defines the region. Here's your guide to the north.
Northern Xinjiang's grasslands — the Ili valley and the steppes around the Tianshan's northern slopes — are home to the Kazakh people and their nomadic traditions of herding and hospitality.
Sayram Lake is Xinjiang's most beautiful alpine lake — a jewel of turquoise water ringed by mountains and meadows. It's a highlight of any visit to the north.
The Ili valley is Xinjiang's 'garden' — fertile, green, and famous for its orchards, lavender, and the peaceable Kazakh and other cultures that live there.
Visitors can experience nomadic life — staying in yurts, riding horses, and sharing the dairy-rich meals of the Kazakh herders.
Summer (June-August) is the classic season for the grasslands, when they are green and the wildflowers are out. Autumn brings golden colors.
The north is reached via Yining or the Altay region, with flights and trains from Urumqi. Distances are long — plan your route with a tour operator.