Traveling in southern Xinjiang offers abundant natural scenery, diverse cultural heritage, and unique ethnic customs, making it an unmissable area for travelers exploring Xinjiang.
Southern Xinjiang, located south of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, is a multi-ethnic region with the arts and colorful customs of Han, Uyghur, Tajik, Kyrgyz, and other ethnic groups.
. The natural scenery here is magnificent, including various landscapes such as deserts, snow-capped mountains, and grasslands, such as the Taklamakan Desert and the Pamir Plateau. At the same time, southern Xinjiang has preserved rich historical and cultural relics, such as ancient cities, ancient tombs, and thousand Buddha caves, indicating the long history and vicissitudes of time.
For tourists, the travel experience in southern Xinjiang is very diverse. You can choose a self-drive tour and follow a carefully planned route, such as the 10-day essential route departing from Urumqi, enjoying attractions such as Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Bayinbrook Grassland, Kuqa王府 (王府 should be translated as ‘王府’ in pinyin with no direct English equivalent, but for clarity, it can be noted as ‘王府 (Royal Palace)’), and Kashgar Old Town along the way.
. Additionally, there is the ‘Silver Hair Express’ specially designed for middle-aged and elderly friends, providing considerate services such as discounted tickets and medical staff accompaniment, allowing middle-aged and elderly tourists to comfortably explore the beautiful scenery of northern and southern Xinjiang.
In southern Xinjiang, tourists can also deeply experience the local ethnic customs. In Kashgar, Hotan, and other places, you can appreciate the traditional culture and handicrafts of the Uyghur people and taste local specialty foods. While on the Pamir Plateau, you can feel the romance and mystery of the Tajik people, admire the apricot blossoms blooming on the plateau, and experience the most romantic flower-viewing journey in the world.
In addition, the ancient Silk Road sites in southern Xinjiang are also one of the attractions that cannot be missed. The Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves in Kuqa and the Fragrant Concubine Tomb in Kashgar are important witnesses to the historical culture of southern Xinjiang.
In summary, traveling in southern Xinjiang offers an all-around experience that blends natural scenery, historical culture, and ethnic customs. Whether it’s a self-drive tour, a package tour, or an in-depth cultural tour, southern Xinjiang can provide tourists with an unforgettable travel experience.