Abstract: Sandstorms are formed around the surface of exposed dust sources by wind, which make soil drifting and desertification, increase the frequency of dust storms and deteriorate air quality, damage the ecological environment and agricultural production. Therefore, it is quite important to study the characteristics of maximum wind speed and wind direction in Xinjiang, whose ecological environment is relatively fragile, and the study is of great significance to the disaster prevention and reduction, the management of activated dune and sustainable development. Based on the latest data of 71 sites in Xinjiang, we explored the temporal evolution and spatial distribution of maximum wind speed from 1993 to 2013, and analyzed the distribution of annual and monthly maximum wind speed and the characteristics of wind direction. The results showed that Ulugqat county had the most maximum wind speed (>17 m/s) days from 1993 to 2013, and the number of days in Khotan was the minimum of 16 days. The highest value of maximum wind speed days appeared in 1999, totally 257 days in Xinjiang; the lowest was in 2013 of 69 days. Spring and summer wind days were greater than that of autumn and winter. There were obvious differences in the direction of the maximum wind speed in major cities and counties of Xinjiang. The maximum wind speed in the east of Tianshan Mountain was mainly southeast and northeast direction, that in the north of Tianshan was mainly northwest and northeast direction, that in the south of Tianshan was mainly northwest and northeast direction, and that in the west of Tianshan was southeast and northwest direction.