NWX（西北新疆）似乎是沿边境和G219公路骑行新疆的最佳路线。道路大多适合骑行，沿途风景壮丽，且有对外国人友好的住宿点。 关于喀纳斯与河木地区的注意事项如下：九月（国庆假期前）是观赏秋色的理想时节，五月或六月或许也不错？冬季则因严寒不宜前往。无论何时出行都需备好冬季雨具，因极端天气可能突发。上海至伊宁或阿尔泰均有直飞航班（5小时航程）。
NWX (North West Xingjiang) seems to offer the best point to point riding in Xinjiang along the border and G219. Roads are mostly suitable for cycling, scenery is epic and foreigner friendly places to stay along the way. A few points for the Kanas and Hemu Area see below.
September before October holiday crowds was good a good time of year to go to see the autumn colour. May or June might be nice? Forget winter as too cold. Regardless of time of year extreme weather events can happen so bring some winter wet weather kit. Direct flights to and from Shanghai to Yining or Altay (5h)..
Sayram Lake> Bole
140km 352m
S: 4.5, R: 4.5, H:4
No way to cycle from here direct for Yining so I got a car to the south of the lake, unpacked the bike and stayed there a night. Next morning a lovely ride around Sayram Lake and then down. Bole Hilton was nice and good value.
Bole > Alashankou
80km 175m
S: 2, R: 3, H: 2.5
Highway ride down motorway. Not much to report.
Alashankou > Yumin
180km 2501m
S: 4, R: 4, H: 2.5
Epic border route
Bring supplies. Stop at 140 or so.
Nice day out on the bike and what a border route should be.
Yumin > Tacheng
67km 132m
S: 2, R: 3, H: 4
Another highway, another Hilton. Good value
Tacheng big border town. Friendly & helpful visit from local government. Good shopping mall and supermarket in basement for fill up. Great lamb and noodle restaurants at back of hotel.
Tacheng to 165 Regiment
116km 646m
Easy mostly flat day. Not much to report. Mega agriculture and interesting seeing the rural life of the XPCCs.
165 Regiment to Hobokser
148km 1992m
2 main climbs with the later being 27km 986m which I got caught out on regarding high winds and vertical rain. Saved by the NIA, see redbook for notes. Epic day on the bike.
Hobokser to Jeminay
113km 1458m
S: 2, R: 3, H: 4
One main 34km climb with 1045m
A nice day and good climb, quiet roads. Cold on top but enough kit to keep me happy. Headwind from hell to finish.
Jeminay to Keba
92km 178m
S: 3, R: 3, H: 3
Flat easy and chilled on unopened section of the G219. Should be opened to cars in 2026.
Keba to Kanas
142km 2800m
S: 5, R: 5, H: 3
3 main climbs with. Bunch of smaller ones. It’s all basically up hill.
First section of G219 not finished but great tarmac. Recommended ride. It gets better and better. Bus last 5km so total should be around 150km. Epic Day!
> Kanas Area. I came in on the G219 from the North West. Kanas is a scenic spot and you will need to get a bus for 5km. No other option if you are going through you will need to stay or go through the scenic area. I stayed there. Many options, overpriced but nice. Going south towards Hemu i had to ride on the walkway and off road for the first few km, then I got back on the tourist bus road and did not have any trouble.
Kanas to Hemu
102km 2011m
S: 4.5, R: 5, H: 2
Very nice ride. First part off road and walkway. Then great tarmac. Two main climbs. A 22km 930m and a 17km 600m.
> Hemu Area. A scenic spot and again you cannot cycle in and must take a bus! I could not be bothered so i stayed in the local ski area, very much under construction and overpriced. Hopefully i did not miss too much in Hemu that I did not see along the way on the bike.
Hemu to Altay
225km 3770m
S: 5, R: 5, H: 5
Epic Empress Stage.
A long day but put it on your bucket list of China rides. Could spread over 1 or 2 nights if you like yurts, find them on route or bring your own support van with tents. 4 main climbs with the big one being 26km 1000m. See my Redbook post for details.
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