The southern Xinjiang tourist loop is an excellent route for deeply exploring the natural scenery and human history of southern Xinjiang. Here is a detailed introduction to the southern Xinjiang tourist loop:
The main cities and scenic spots along the southern Xinjiang tourist loop include: Urumqi, Korla, Yuli County, Luntai, Kuqa, Aksu, Kashgar, Tashkurgan County, Hotan, Zepu, Minfeng, and others. The entire route spans the Taklamakan Desert and numerous natural landscapes and cultural relics around it.
Specific travel loop planning can refer to the following schemes:
10-Day Loop Route: Starting from Kashgar, visitors will successively tour Shache Intangible Cultural Heritage Exposition Park, Hotan, Kunlun Heavenly Road, Yulongkashi River, Taklamakan Desert, Aral/Aksu, Restan Street, Thousand Buddha Caves, Baicheng/Kuqa, Blazing Spring, Wensu Grand Canyon, Xiangfei Garden, Kashgar Old Town, and other scenic spots, before returning to Kashgar.
17-Day Grand Loop Route: Starting from Nanning to Kashgar, the route passes through Korla, Tarim Poplar Forest, Kuqa, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Wensu Grand Canyon, Aksu, Bachu Red Sea, Colorful Mountain, China’s Westernmost Extremity, Irkeshtam Port, Simhana Village, North Shore of Baisha Lake, Muztagh Ata Glacier, Taxkorgan County, Hongqilapu Gate, Wakhan Corridor, Panlong Ancient Road, Bandier Blue Lake, Shache County, Yarkand Khan Palace, Hotan, Hotan Museum, Minfeng, Qiemo, Loulan Museum, Loulan Beauty Architecture, Ruoqiang, Lop Nur Village, Turpan Museum, Flaming Mountain, Shanshan County, Kumtag Desert, Bosten Lake, and other places, before returning to Nanning.
12-Day Loop Self-Drive Itinerary: Starting from Urumqi, visitors will successively tour Lop Nur Village, Korla, Kuqa Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Wensu Grand Canyon, Aksu, Kashgar Old Town, Wustangboyi, Millennium Ancient Street, Oytag Red Mountain and White Sand Mountain, Taxkorgan County, Aral National Wetland Park, Tajik Folk Village, Shache Amanisha Khan Memorial Mausoleum, Hotan, Desert Poplar and Xayar Devil’s Forest, Tarim Poplar Forest Park, Luntai, Bosten Lake, and other places, before returning to Urumqi.
8-Day Grand Loop Route: This is a more compact itinerary starting from Kashgar, visiting scenic spots such as Wensu Grand Canyon, Aksu, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Kuqa王府 (王府 means mansion or palace), Kuqa Old Town, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Aral, Desert Highway, Hotan, Kashgar Old Town, Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, Muztagh Ata, Taxkorgan County, Panlong Ancient Road, Bandier Blue Lake, Golden Grass Beach, Stone City, Oytag Glacier, and others, before returning to Kashgar.
These loop routes each have their own characteristics, and tourists can choose suitable routes based on their time, interests, and preferences. No matter which route is chosen, visitors can deeply experience the magnificent scenery and unique culture of southern Xinjiang.